Benzodiazepine Detox
Looking for a benzodiazepine detox center for yourself or a loved one? Our approach to detox creates both comfort and safety for a withdrawal process that can be dangerous without medical supervision.
Many medications have a half-life, which refers to the time it takes for the drug to decrease to half of its original amount in the body. Benzodiazepines with a shorter half-life typically require a more extensive detoxification process and are more likely to result in relapse. Addiction to benzodiazepines can affect anyone. These prescription drugs are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures. However, they are typically intended for short-term use only. Prolonged use can lead to physical dependence or addiction in as little as four weeks.
The most effective approach is to seek assistance at a specialized drug rehabilitation facility that focuses on benzodiazepine detoxification. Individuals who are aware of their benzodiazepine addiction often struggle to quit on their own. They may have attempted to quit independently but experienced a relapse once withdrawal symptoms emerged. This is why detoxification programs are essential for individuals who are serious about recovering from prescription drug addiction.
Benzodiazepine detox offered by Discovery Institute in Marlboro, New Jersey, provides a safe method to cleanse the body of substances and begin the journey toward recovery. Our team of certified addiction professionals closely monitors all clients around the clock to ensure their comfort throughout the process. However, each client is unique, which is why we develop an individualized substance abuse treatment plan from day one to ensure a successful recovery. While addiction leads to emotional and physical decline, treatment can lead to a life of well-being for those who choose to reach out for help!
Since the effects of benzos include a reduction of anxiety, they are often prescribed to patients who are living with anxiety disorders. Benzos produce their effects by stimulating the GABA neurotransmitters of the brain which are responsible for various motor and cognitive functions.
Everyone has natural GABA neurotransmitters, but the use of benzos affects the way that these transmitters respond and communicate with one another. This results in the calming effects which help those who use the medications to feel calmer.
Some specific anxiety disorders that are often treated with benzodiazepines include:
- Panic Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Various phobias
Again, benzos are meant to help people who are suffering from various mental health disorders. However, using these substances often leads to more problems.
Those who use benzo medications for a while may develop a tolerance for these drugs. After becoming tolerant of these substances, many individuals become dependent on benzos and begin to abuse them.
When a person abuses drugs, it means that he or she uses the substance more often or in higher doses than the doctor has prescribed and recommended. In some cases, people use benzos more frequently than they should. Others may crush the medications and consume them using different methods (inhalation, snorting, etc.) in order to speed up the effects.
Some individuals even mix benzos with other substances, such as alcohol. This can be both harmful and deadly. So, it’s important to get professional help and treatment in order to end and overcome benzo addiction in your life.
Am I An Addict?
Think you may have an addiction problem? Have you ever asked yourself “am I an addict?” Discovery Institute in Marlboro, New Jersey offers various levels of care for people with mild to severe substance use issues. There is no time to wait with addiction. If you are questioning your habits regarding substance use, call us today for support.
The Problem With Benzodiazepine Prescriptions
Although benzos certainly seem to help individuals diagnosed with the above anxiety disorders, they are meant to only be used for a short amount of time because of their potential for addiction.
Additionally, prolonged use of benzos such as Klonopin or Lunesta can actually lead to adverse effects. So, instead of offering helpful effects such as aiding with anxiety, long-term use of benzos can actually make anxiety worse. This is due to a developed tolerance and dependence of the drug.
When the body starts to recognize and expect the administration of a specific drug that stimulates neurotransmitters as benzos do, it begins to need more of the drug to provide the desired effects. This is known as tolerance. When the body starts to experience withdrawal effects due to lack of administration of the drug, dependence is evident.
The problem with prescription benzodiazepines is that without proper tapering and weaning of the drug, addiction is eminent with long-term use, even with a proper prescription from a doctor.
Signs of a developed dependence to benzodiazepines may include:
- Fatigue
- Paranoia
- Shakiness
- Cold sweats
- Mood swings
- Anxiety attacks
- Intrusive thoughts
- Heightened anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Lack of focus and concentration
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Self-Detox Vs Professional Benzodiazepine Detox
When a person ends substance use, he or she will experience withdrawal symptoms. This is the body’s response to the fact that it’s ridding itself of these toxic substances after using them for a prolonged time. Self-detox is often ineffective and harmful, as it can cause various complications including severe withdrawal symptoms, and relapse. There’s no safer way to detox from any drug than in the comfort and control of a medical facility. In other words, detoxing from benzodiazepines can be extremely dangerous if done at home. This is because withdrawal symptoms that occur due to weaning off benzos can be extremely severe, even more than opioids such as heroin.
If an individual is experiencing any of the withdrawal symptoms mentioned above, the detoxification process can help to remove substances such as drugs and alcohol from the body successfully. Whether the individual used benzos illegally or through direct orders of a doctor, it’s important to seek treatment to help with benzodiazepine abuse.
Experiencing all of these withdrawal symptoms is no walk in the park. But, at Discovery’s professional benzodiazepine detox center in New Jersey, medications will be administered so that severe withdrawal symptoms and cravings of substance use can be subdued and managed effectively.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
Detoxing with the help of certified and experienced addiction medical specialists ensures the health, safety, and comfort of individuals throughout this necessary process of recovery. Specific withdrawal symptoms that individuals dependent on benzodiazepines can expect may include:
- Hallucinations
- Hypertension
- Extreme agitation
- Chest pain
- Numbness of the extremities
- Loss of appetite
- Body tremors
- Sleeplessness
- Nightmares
- Cold sweats
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Compulsions or seizures which may result in death
The Need For Benzodiazepine Detox Services
Since Benzos are a depressant, and have such a high risk of harm should a medical benzo detox not be sought out, it is highly recommended that you seek professional treatment from a medical detox. That being said, there is another aspect of benzos that makes them so difficult. That is the fact that they are often prescribed. It can be difficult for individuals who have prescription drug addictions to know when the line is being crossed. With addiction, no one chooses to become dependent upon a substance. Yet, with prescription drug use, the line of choice is even more blurry.
Sometimes an individual will not know why they are craving more, accidentally become dependent, then upon realizing they seek more benzos out of desperation of warding off the withdrawal effects. In these cases, it is extremely important for the individual to seek a medical benzo detox. This is because as the addiction gets lengthier, it gets much more severe. Furthermore, since individuals who struggle with benzo abuse are prescribed these drugs, it will become increasingly difficult to cope without relapsing. Consider a medical benzo detox.
Another reason to get a medical benzo detox is the fact (as previously stated) that benzos are one of the few substances that need a detox, otherwise, there are extremely harmful effects. The reason is that benzos are a depressant. Therefore they cause the brain to become more drowsy than normal. Thus, if a medical detox is not sought, there could be harmful effects on the brain that could result in death.
The Discovery Difference: Our Technology
Self-detoxing without the help and support of medical professionals can lead to relapse. We are committed to helping our clients safely and comfortably detox from substance use at Discovery Institute. When it comes to overcoming benzodiazepine addiction, your physical health is our priority. That’s why we use wearable technology to monitor vitals and better understand the symptoms people are experiencing.
The initial stages of benzodiazepine detox and recovery can be difficult and some withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. But, through our wearable technology, our nursing staff can easily read vitals and quickly act when an issue occurs. If there are changes in heart rate, signs of an oncoming seizure, tremors, stress levels, or any other physical withdrawal symptoms, we can swiftly jump into action due to the monitoring of Discovery’s wearable technology!
As our wearable technology works to properly and efficiently monitor and record vitals, our medical staff can have more time to focus on treating our clients’ needs. We’re revolutionizing the field of behavioral healthcare. That’s the Discovery Difference.
You Are Not Alone
Below we will be discussing statistics related to benzo detox in New Jersey. These statistics are unfortunate, however, the purpose is to encourage you to seek detox, and remind you that no one is alone in the recovery journey. It was not meant to be done alone.
The counties which experience the most admissions are as follows (from greatest to least): Essex, Camden, Ocean, Monmouth, and Atlantic. The age group which had (by far) the most admissions for Benzo use was 25-59, followed by 18-24, and finally 60 and over. Of all total drug admission, 64% had a mental illness and were diagnosed as having a co-occurring disorder. Finally, of those who needed treatment, the percentage of unmet need over all of New Jersey’s counties was roughly 40%.
We at the Discovery Institute want you to know that we have the most professional services available, but you need to be the ones to reach out and connect with us. We do not want you to not have your needs met. Below, we will begin to discuss the specific effects of untreated benzo drug addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling, please consider reaching out. It is never too late. In the following section, we will be discussing an important aspect of one of the above statistics. That is co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders and benzos, in particular, have a strong relationship, let’s see below.
Co-occurring Therapy for Individuals Struggling with Anxiety and Addiction
For those who have struggled with a benzo addiction due to prescription to manage anxiety disorders, treatment is available to address both addiction and anxiety. Dual diagnosis treatment programs work to help individuals overcome substance abuse and mental health disorders.
After detox is complete, you’ll be able to benefit from therapy that works to not only address the underlying causes of your addiction but your anxiety disorder as well.
Along with discovering underlying issues, co-occurring disorder therapy will help to determine alternative medications or coping methods to help you manage your diagnosed anxiety disorder.
If you are struggling to taper from your prescriptions, are using benzos illegally, or wish to rid your life of addiction to benzos, Discovery Institute can help you determine your next step to obtaining a life free from addiction.
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Looking for addiction help for yourself or a loved one? Our professionally trained admissions coordinators are always available to assist you with any questions you might have.
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Dr. Joseph Ranieri D.O. earned his BS in Pharmacy at Temple University School of Pharmacy in 1981 and His Doctorate Degree in Osteopathic Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine Addiction Certification. Dr. Ranieri has lectured extensively to physicians, nurses, counselors and laypeople about the Disease of Addiction throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 2012.
