Benzodiazepines are a prescription medication family that is used to treat anxiety disorders. There are many types of benzodiazepines, with four being the most common: Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam). Each of these benzodiazepines works to increase the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, which causes people to feel calm and relaxed. Unfortunately, benzo addiction is common, which is why a benzo addiction treatment program is needed by so many people.
GABA’s function is to reduce the activity of the neurotransmitters to which it binds. The neurotransmitters that are responsible for causing anxiety or nervousness include norepinephrine and adrenaline. The purpose of a benzodiazepine is to reduce the activity of these excitatory neurons.
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Why Would You Be Given Benzo?
A medical doctor or psychiatrist must prescribe benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are also prescribed for:
- Muscle spasms
- To sedate a person before surgery or after trauma
- To reduce insomnia
- Managing seizure conditions
- Suppressing alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Treating anxiety disorders
According to the National Institute on Drug Addiction, benzodiazepines are frequently abused. NIDA surveyed 5.2 million adults who misused benzodiazepines, and the results showed that most people abuse benzodiazepines to relax.
Signs Of Benzodiazepine Addiction
When a person is misusing a prescription medication such as benzodiazepines, these individuals first rely on their doctor to keep them supplied. Since addiction causes a person to always take more than what a doctor would reasonably prescribe for them, they run out and need more. What this will eventually turn into is what is known as doctor shopping.
Doctor shopping frequently occurs with benzodiazepine addiction. A person will see numerous doctors obtain prescriptions for more benzodiazepines. Lying to doctors about their symptoms or heading to the emergency room to get a prescription is not uncommon. Although there are prescription drug motioning systems in all 50 states, people who are addicted to benzodiazepines still find doctors who will prescribe them benzos.
Other signs that a person is addicted to benzodiazepines will include:
- Obsession getting and having enough benzodiazepine pills
- Borrowing money or stealing money to get more benzodiazepines
- Appearing weak and sleepy most of the time
- Memory loss and misplacing important objects (car keys, cell phones) frequently
- Decreased interest in friends or family relationships that were once a priority
- Emotional outbursts, crying or yelling
- Low self-care routines (not showering, cleaning the home)
- Driving or drinking alcohol while taking benzodiazepines
- Becoming unemployed or facing legal charges in relation to their benzodiazepine use
The most significant sign that someone is addicted to benzodiazepines is the presence of withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines withdrawal can be life-threatening, and it is never recommended that any person attempt to detox from benzodiazepines without medical supervision.
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Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
The severity of withdrawal symptoms will be relative to the addiction length and amount they were using. If a person has been addicted to Xanax or another Benzodiazepine for three or more years, their symptoms will be worse versus some who have only been abusing them for months. The withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Excessive sweating
- Racing pulse and increased blood pressure
- Muscular stiffness or discomfort
- Hand tremors
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Psychosis
- Intense cravings for benzodiazepines
- Suicidal thoughts
The Importance of a Benzo Addiction Treatment Program
Evoke Wellness at Cohasset benzodiazepine detox prescribes medications to help a person safely and easily detox. Our medically managed benzodiazepine detox program utilizes a taper regimen in the detox, which is standard practice for benzodiazepine addiction. Once someone is admitted into our benzodiazepine detox center, they are immediately assessed by our medical doctors who specialize in benzodiazepine detox and addiction. Depending on how much they were using their taper will begin with that dose and be reduced slowly. The amount of time it takes for a person to overcome the benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms ranges from three to five days and up to two or more weeks.
Our detox programs allow clients to rest and sleep until they are feeling physically stronger. Once they are through the worst of their detox symptoms, they are encouraged to participate in one on one counseling, small group counseling and meet with an addiction counselor.
Although detox is not rehab treatment, we begin the treatment process for all persons in detox. Each client will be assessed, and an individualized treatment plan will be created for them. An individualized treatment plan maps out what therapy methods and treatment strategies will best target their unique addiction histories and influencers that caused them to become addicted to benzodiazepines.
To learn how to get admitted to our benzo rehab center in Massachusetts, please reach out to one of our addiction specialists. They will work to have you or your loved one admitted to a detox program within 24 hours or less. It is urgent that when a person asks for help to get clean from benzodiazepines that they are admitted into a medically
Benzo Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts
We want to ensure that our clients here at our Massachusetts benzo addiction treatment center are given the best care possible in the best surroundings and facilities possible. With our team of qualified professionals here to help you every step of the way, nutritious foods, and serene surroundings, we can ease your body and mind during your detox process. Once the medically assisted detox process has ended, we also offer a wide range of treatment choices in our benzo addiction treatment program so that you can more easily transition back to the real world.
We understand that the treatment process can be difficult at times. At Evoke Wellness at Cohasset, we are committed to assisting you in making progress towards a new life free from the grips of addiction. Call us today at 866.931.6429 and let’s get you started on the road to recovery.
