Chapter 3: Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, acute & protracted Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

It’s a path marked by complexities and personal trials, yet it is also a journey toward reclaiming control and finding a healthier balance in life. The withdrawal process, while daunting, offers an opportunity for growth and healing, underscored by the resilience of the human spirit. After acute withdrawal, many individuals experience lingering symptoms—this is known as PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome). PAWS can last for weeks or even months depending on the severity of the addiction. A panel of individuals with lived experience provided input on the Guideline, where they underscored the need for clinicians to understand how to best support patients and slow tapers. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.

• Some people in benzodiazepine withdrawal take small doses of these drugs (10-20mg Inderal three times daily) regularly, while others reserve them to take only if the physical symptoms of a panic attack seem uncontrollable.
• Withdrawal symptoms may persist for a few days or weeks.Some people experience withdrawal symptoms that persist for months or evenyears after cessation of use.
• As mentioned before, depression can be a real problem in withdrawal and can sometimes be severe enough to pose a risk of suicide, though this is unusual with slow tapering.

Panic attacks

If you prefer someone else, any primary care physician or psychiatrist can help you taper your dose. From 1996 to 2013, the number of people filling benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 67%. Benzodiazepine abuse and dependence has become more significant among all age groups, from teens to elderly adults. In 2016, estimates suggest that about half a million people in the United States misused sedative drugs. Basically, this is a tough process, and if you’re havingtrouble coping with your withdrawal symptoms, it’s entirely reasonable to seekout extra helpful support and advice. See the end of this article for a comprehensive list of lesscommonly experienced withdrawal symptoms.

The benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome

There is absolutely no doubt that anyone withdrawing from long-term benzodiazepines must reduce the dosage slowly. Abrupt or over-rapid withdrawal, especially from high dosage, can give rise to severe symptoms (convulsions, psychotic reactions, acute anxiety states) and may increase the risk of protracted withdrawal symptoms (see Chapter 3). Slow withdrawal means tapering dosage gradually, usually over a period of some months. The aim is to obtain a smooth, steady and slow decline in blood and tissue concentrations of benzodiazepines so that the natural systems in the brain can recover their normal state.

Our dedicated team understands the unique challenges of benzodiazepine withdrawal and is equipped to provide the care, understanding, and treatments needed to transition to a healthier, drug-free life. If you or a loved one is facing the challenges of withdrawal, don’t hesitate. Reach out to Wellness Retreat Recovery today and take the first step towards a brighter, substance-free future. Navigating the maze of benzodiazepine withdrawal is not a linear journey; it’s a process that varies in duration and intensity, influenced by factors like the type of benzodiazepine, dosage, length of use, and individual biology. However, having a generalized understanding of the timeline can help both users and caregivers better prepare and cope with the process. This information is a general guide for the management of benzodiazepines withdrawal.

Treatment For Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

No one should attempt to get off benzo drugs without the supervision of a healthcare professional. Severe symptoms and reactions can occur, and working with a professional can help a person avoid or manage these symptoms. Other therapies, including counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), may be helpful for people looking to manage symptoms without relying on other drugs. During the benzodiazepine withdrawal acute withdrawal phase, doctors may monitor the person and recommend other drugs to control problematic symptoms. Practices such as drug tapering or using other drugs to help ease withdrawal may make early withdrawal symptoms milder and more manageable.

How Long Does Withdrawal From Benzodiazepines Last?

Anxiety persisting after the acute phase of withdrawal may be partly due to the uncovering of a learning defect caused by the benzodiazepines. These drugs specifically impair the learning of new skills, including stress-coping strategies. Such skills are normally acquired continuously from childhood to middle age or later as experience of life accumulates.

What is “protracted withdrawal,” and how is it different from acute withdrawal?

Benzodiazepine abuse is dangerous alone but even more so in combination with other drugs. Benzos are typically co-abused with other drugs due to their euphoric effects. If you’re ready to find addiction treatment options for yourself or a loved one, get started with our free nationwide rehab search tool. Find addiction treatment facilities that take insurance, rehabs that allow pets, outpatient rehab programs, and more.

The benzodiazepine withdrawal timeline underscores the importance of a patient-centered approach to discontinuation, one that considers the Drug rehabilitation unique circumstances of each individual. A structured and supervised tapering schedule is often the most effective strategy, minimizing withdrawal symptoms and supporting the body’s gradual adjustment to the absence of the drug. Doctors may use certainmedications to manage drug cravingsand withdrawal symptoms during medical detox. The benzodiazepine withdrawal treatment guidelines at The Recovery Village allow some patients to be treated with medications. Though there are no specific medications designed specifically for treating benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, there are several drugs that help relieve the discomfort and/or pain of some withdrawal symptoms and assist in recovery. For people withdrawing from these potent, short-acting drugs it is advisable to switch to a long-acting, slowly metabolised benzodiazepine such as diazepam.

Acute Withdrawal

This phase usually begins at least a month after the last dose of benzodiazepine and gradually subsides over a period of months or, sometimes, years. The help of a medical or mental health professional is often needed to manage these symptoms successfully. Medical professionals can assess your condition and recommend the safest path forward—whether it’s tapering, inpatient detox, or outpatient care.

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• These programs also focus on teaching individuals coping strategies to reduce dependence on benzos and lead a drug-free life.
• However, having a generalized understanding of the timeline can help both users and caregivers better prepare and cope with the process.
• The process of slow benzodiazepine tapering in these patients caused only slight exacerbation of these symptoms, which then declined after withdrawal.

Can lifestyle changes help during benzodiazepine withdrawal?

When the deficit of REMS is made up, usually after about 4-6 weeks, the nightmares become less frequent and gradually fade away. Indeed, prescriber adherence to prescription guidelines for benzodiazepine use would negate most of the risk of kindling, except for a minority of patients who develop physiologic dependence within a period of time shorter than 4 weeks. In turn, this would in most likelihood minimize the enormous burden of what could be termed benzo-brain injury experienced by far too many. However, long-term use can lead to adverse side effects, impacting memory and leading to addiction. Various types of holistic addiction treatment programs are available to help individuals struggling with benzodiazepine addiction and dependence. Benzodiazepines, a class of medications renowned for their calming effects on the central nervous system, play a vital role in the treatment of various medical conditions.