Recognizing the signs of withdrawal and understanding how to manage this phase is essential for easier and smoother recovery. 1This article assesses the causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies for benzodiazepine withdrawal, emphasizing the significance of professional guidance during this period. As withdrawal progresses, patients often find their Oxford House physical and mental health improves with improved mood and improved cognition. You may also enter a tapering schedule, where your dose of benzodiazepines may decrease over time, instead of quitting all at once. Tapering off benzodiazepines can reduce your risk of severe withdrawal symptoms. If you or a loved one are suffering from any of these nine benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, a professional withdrawal management program can help.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
There are also fears that antidepressants such as Prozac may in some patients induce an agitated, violent or suicidal state at the start of treatment; low initial dosage and careful monitoring may avoid this risk. ” This question is sometimes asked by people embarking on a benzodiazepine tapering program. In contrast, others are so against drugs when they decide on withdrawal that they are loth to take anything, even the simplest pain killer.
Nutritional and hydration support
The choice of, and response to, each of these measures depends very much on the individual. The various psychological techniques have been formally tested and give https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the best long-term results. However, the outcome depends largely on the skill of the therapist, including his/her knowledge of benzodiazepines, and the rapport between therapist and client. Poor memory and concentration are also features of benzodiazepine withdrawal, and are probably due to continued effects of the drug.
Muscle Spasms & Tremors
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. Some drugs related to major tranquillisers have sedative effects and are also used for nausea, vertigo and motion sickness.
- When tolerance develops, “withdrawal” symptoms can appear even though the user continues to take the drug.
- The most common is a short-lived “rebound” anxiety and insomnia, coming on within 1-4 days of discontinuation, depending on the half-life of the particular drug.
- Ideally, your mentor should be someone who understands about benzodiazepine withdrawal or is prepared to read about it and learn.
- Many of these trials have involved what is considered here as over-rapid withdrawal.
- All sorts of strange tinglings, pins and needles, patches of numbness, feelings of electric shocks, sensations of hot and cold, itching, and deep burning pain are not uncommon during benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms: What is the Benzo Flu?
Diazepam tablets are a benzodiazepine and a CNS depressant with a potential for abuse and addiction. Abuse is the intentional, non-therapeutic use of a drug, even once, for its desirable psychological or physiological effects. Misuse is the intentional use, for therapeutic purposes, of a drug by an individual in a way other than prescribed by a health care provider or for whom it was not prescribed. Even taking benzodiazepines as prescribed may put patients at risk for abuse and misuse of their medication. It’s crucial to emphasize that the withdrawal process should be gradual and conducted under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
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- The initial distribution phase is followed by a prolonged terminal elimination phase (half-life up to 48 hours).
- This benzodiazepine is eliminated so quickly (half-life 2 hours) that you are practically withdrawn each day, after a dose the night before.
- We believe in the healing power of a community that brings together collective wisdom and individual insight from collective group sessions and activities.
- ” This question is commonly asked by patients withdrawing from benzodiazepines.
- A continuation schedule can follow later depending upon how you get on, and the doctor can continue prescribing in accordance with the new schedule.
Depression may be caused or aggravated by chronic benzodiazepine use, but is also a feature of the withdrawal syndrome. Depressive symptoms may appear for the first time after withdrawal, sometimes after abrupt withdrawal of benzodiazepines may result in a delay of a few weeks, and it can be severe and protracted for some months. It is not clear whether people who have had depression before, or have a family history of depression, are more prone to this complication, and its causes are not understood.
- Every 1 to 4 weeks after that, they’ll reduce your dose by another 5% to 25% of the original dose.
- So, for those starting out, many previous users will testify that almost anyone who really wants to can withdraw from benzodiazepines.
- Your doctor can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits of benzodiazepine use and your pregnancy.
- Some individuals seek the sedative effects, often at high doses, which escalates the risk of addiction.
Are Benzos Addictive?
Some antidepressant withdrawal (“discontinuation”) symptoms are shown in Chapter 3 (Table 2). If you’ve taken benzodiazepines at high doses for an extended period, you may experience long-term withdrawal symptoms, also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or protracted withdrawal. While they can quickly relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic, these drugs pose a high risk of dependence.