When used as directed, benzodiazepines help many people deal with physical and psychological disorders. However, they can also become a problem when an addiction develops. When this happens, it becomes necessary to seek treatment from a benzo detox program such as Zenith Behavioral Health in Phoenix, AZ. This type of professional help allows a person to detox safely from benzo drugs and learn to live without using them again.
Benzodiazepines, commonly called “benzos”, are classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance. This means they have valid medical uses but also carry a risk of developing an addiction. Benzos affect the central nervous system by attaching to receptors in the brain. This makes the nerves less sensitive to certain stimulation and results in a calming effect.
Common conditions and situations that benzodiazepines are used for include:
– Anxiety disorders –
– Panic attacks –
– Depression –
– Sleep disorders –
– Seizures –
– Relaxation or sedation prior to surgery –
– Alcohol withdrawal –
Common types of benzo drugs include:
– Diazepam (brand name: Valium) –
– Lorazepam (brand name: Ativan) –
– Alprazolam (brand name: Xanax and Niravam) –
– Clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin) –
– Temazepam (brand name: Restoril) –
– Triazolam (brand name: Halcion) –
– Chlordiazepoxide (brand name: Librax) –
When someone misuses or becomes addicted to benzos, they expose themselves to potentially dangerous situations. Prolonged use or abuse of benzos can cause cognitive impairment, including drowsiness, delayed reaction time, and difficulty with coordination. Abuse of benzos also puts a person at risk of overdosing on them.
Many people combine benzos with other substances, including other drugs or alcohol. This combination can prove dangerous when multiple substances interact in a person’s system. As well, older people have a higher rate of risk of a fall when under the influence of benzos.
Driving while on benzos, especially a larger amount than prescribed, presents a similar risk to driving at just below the blood alcohol level that qualifies as drunk driving in all states.
The most potentially dangerous benzodiazepines include:
– Triazolam –
– Alprazolam –
– Lorazepam –
– Clonazepam –
– Flunitrazepam (Also known as Rohypnol, or the “date rape” drug, this medication is not legally sold in the U.S.) –
The brain normally produces feel-good chemicals that allow a person to experience joy and pleasure. When they become addicted to benzos, the brain loses this ability, and the benzos begin to manufacture a false sense of good and pleasurable feelings. For this reason, the person develops an addiction to benzos in order to try to feel happy or even just normal. A benzo detox Phoenix program can help a person overcome benzo addiction and return to optimal health.
The staff at our benzo detox in Phoenix, Arizona knows exactly how to treat people going through withdrawals from benzos. Treatment begins with an assessment of each person to understand the details of their addiction and set treatment goals. From there, the staff monitors each person in order to identify any developing withdrawal symptoms. Medical staff can offer FDA-approved medications, as well as psychological support, to help ease the discomfort that can happen during detox.
Unlike trying to detox alone, which typically does not work, people who detox with us enjoy the safety our process provides. Along with that, each person who comes to us is surrounded by others who are also pursuing a life of sobriety. This type of peer support in a safe, substance-free environment sets everyone up to win.
By the time someone graduates from our program, we have advised them on a plan for their next step in treatment. Continuing on to outpatient or residential care helps them stay safe and less likely to relapse from their benzo addiction.
Don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. In the case of a medical emergency please contact 911 or visit your local emergency department.
When someone enters our benzo detox program in Phoenix, the medical staff knows they will undergo withdrawal symptoms. Common ones may include:
How long it takes to withdraw from benzos varies from person to person. Factors for the length of time include what benzos the person takes, what dosage they typically take, and how long their addiction has gone on. The status of their physical and mental health also factors in.
When detoxing from short-acting benzos, such as Xanax, the first withdrawal symptoms usually begin less than a day after last taking the drug. For long-acting benzos, such as Valium, the first withdrawal symptoms may not appear until 24 to 48 hours after last taking the drug. The peak period for symptoms is usually from day three to five. During this time, the symptoms are at their most severe. Most of the symptoms end somewhere between days 10 and 14.
The symptoms most likely to take the longest to end often include psychological ones, such as feeling depressed and anxious. Insomnia may also continue for a while.
Have you reached the point where you know you need to address your addiction to benzodiazepines? Zenith Behavioral Health knows what it takes to get off benzos for good. Our benzo detox in Phoenix, AZ offers world-class treatment provided by experts in the field of addiction. We find out exactly what you need to help you get through the detox process and then guide you through it.
Contact us today and find out what it’s like to live a life free of benzo addiction. Your freedom starts by getting in touch with us.
If you or your loved one are ready to receive help, visit our admissions page to learn about the intake process here at Zenith Behavioral Health. Our team is ready and waiting to help you begin your recovery and take advantage of what life has to offer.
Zenith Behavioral Health in Phoenix, Arizona offers both a drug and alcohol detox center for adults and a residential mental health treatment center for adolescents.