Common among benzodiazepines are Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, Rohypnol, Restoril, and Halcion. Initial diagnoses to prescribe benzodiazepines by psychiatrists and primary care physicians include anxiety, insomnia, muscle-relaxation, anti-convulsion and short-term memory impairment. Benzodiazepines can be prescribed as a single high-dose for relief following traumatic experiences, to long-term low doses for insomnia or muscle relaxation. Women are almost twice as likely to use benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are highly addictive, resulting in rapid increase in dosages and severe withdrawal symptoms from cessation of use. Medical detoxification is strongly suggested considering the consequences that can develop from these symptoms.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal involves physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms include intestinal problems, flu-like, insomnia, nightmares, dizziness and vertigo, tremors, muscle stiffness, and seizure. Add some psychological symptoms – anxiety, irritability, aggression, memory problems, confusion, and depression – and the difficulty of self-detoxification becomes apparent. At the same time, an emotional shift occurs for the addict because she fears facing life without pills, and any slight symptom of withdrawal triggers a feeling that chaos is coming. There are 2 ways to detox from benzodiazepines; slow, self-administered tapering over several months, or short-term inpatient medical detoxification. A comparison follows.

It takes a lot of discipline and will for an addict to taper off of any drug on her own. Considering the reasons she takes benzodiazepines, chances are that she is not emotionally prepared to endure the withdrawal symptoms and continue tapering drugs to completion. Any perceived failure can return the addict back to the original dosage or even higher. Finally, people are different so withdrawal symptoms are erratic and unpredictable, so adjustments to medication schedules are common. It is unlikely that an addict will be able to manage this on her own. The chance of overdosing or under dosing suggests that self-detox is too risky an option.

Tarzana Treatment Centers offers medical detoxification for benzodiazepine addiction. Each patient is assessed on a medical and psychological basis that tailors a systematic withdrawal process to the individual. Once admitted to the Inpatient Services unit, the patient is monitored by medical and psychological staff to address the severe withdrawal symptoms. Addiction counselors have regular sessions with patients to address life issues and assist in securing long-term recovery options. Upon successful completion of the detox program, patients are referred to residential or outpatient drug treatment. The goal at Tarzana Treatment Centers is to safely relieve addicts of physical addiction, and gently lead them to a drug-free life in recovery.

Tarzana Treatment Centers offers specialized treatment programs to address the various aspects of benzodiazepine abuse and recovery, including drug detox. Please call us for alcohol or drug treatment at 888-777-8565 or contact us by email here.