Long-term use and misuse of benzodiazepine can result in physically and mentally crippling withdrawal symptoms that can turn dangerous during abrupt cessation. The central nervous system is slow to heal after benzodiazepine withdrawal, in some cases taking anywhere between 6-18 months for patients to report a full recovery. If the symptoms of withdrawal last beyond 18 months, it can be considered protracted. Withdrawing from benzodiazepines can be a physically and emotionally complex process. Professional help is necessary to ensure safety and reduce discomfort during withdrawal from these drugs, as symptoms can be severe and, in some cases, life-threatening.
Panic attacks
One lady described how thrilled she was when she could suddenly see individual blades of grass in her newly bright green lawn; it was like the lifting of a veil. Thus, these sensations need not give rise to fear; they can be viewed as signs of recovery. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional.
Management
Your doctor may have views on whether it is appropriate for you to stop your benzodiazepines. Some doctors, particularly in the US, believe that long-term benzodiazepines are indicated for some anxiety, panic and phobic disorders and some psychiatric conditions. However, medical opinions differ and, even if complete withdrawal is not advised, it may be beneficial to reduce the dosage or to take intermittent courses with benzodiazepine-free intervals.
Benzodiazepine Detox
A 2018 analysis also revealed that drug misuse accounts for about 17% of benzodiazepine use among adults in the United States. Withdrawal symptoms may vary from person to person, although there are some common symptoms. Throughout your stay, our dedicated team will ensure a personalized and nurturing experience, providing continuous support and attention.
- This is due to the development of drug tolerance (Chapter I) which sometimes leads doctors to increase the dosage or add another benzodiazepine.
- Symptoms include anxiety, depression, and cognitive and memory difficulties as well as some physical symptoms, such as muscle spasms or feelings of electricity in the limbs.
- The patient must be in control of their own tapering schedule, without a deadline imposed by their prescriber.
- Research in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology notes that an estimated 10–25% of people who use benzos for extended periods experience withdrawal symptoms that last for 12 months or longer.
They may involve a primitive brain mechanism similar to the “freezing” of some animals when presented with an inescapable danger. Like other benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, these feelings resolve in time and should not be interpreted as abnormal or crazy. Symptoms from abrupt withdrawal of short-acting benzodiazepines can commence within a few days. There is a risk that people who quit benzodiazepines without a taper may experience a life-threatening grand mal seizure. If you go into withdrawal without tapering, you also risk experiencing delirium and hallucinations that cause you to lose touch with reality—a terrifying and dangerous experience. Your doctor will help make an individualized tapering schedule based on your current dose and particular circumstances.
- While not always life-threatening, benzodiazepine withdrawal can become dangerous, especially if the drug is stopped suddenly after long-term use.
- Abrupt withdrawal such as stopping medication suddenly is extremely uncomfortable and difficult to do on your own.
- During the first week, you can also expect physical symptoms like headaches and hand tremors.
- When benzodiazepines are taken for longer than a few months and/or in high doses, the brain may start to depend on the influence of the drugs.
Protracted withdrawal is more common in individuals who used high doses or took benzodiazepines for more extended periods. It depends on many factors including the dose and type of benzodiazepine used, duration of use, personality, lifestyle, previous experience, specific Sober living house vulnerabilities, and the (perhaps genetically determined) speed of your recovery systems. Usually the best judge is you, yourself; you must be in control and must proceed at the pace that is comfortable for you.
Chapter 3: Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, acute & protracted
They are not a cure, but can sometimes help people through a difficult situation. In larger abrupt withdrawal of benzodiazepines may result in: doses, beta-blockers are used for raised blood pressure and angina, but such doses are not advised in benzodiazepine withdrawal. They should not be taken by anyone who has asthma as they can cause constriction of the bronchial tubes.
How long do benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms last?
- However, do not be misled into fearing that you will get all the symptoms described by the others.
- Most people experience a definite improvement over time so that symptoms gradually decrease to levels nowhere near as intense as in the early days of withdrawal, and eventually almost entirely disappear.
- Good communication with your doctor is the key to ensuring the best possible chances of withdrawal success.
- Many people have suffered because they have been switched suddenly to a different, less potent drug in inadequate dosage because the doctor has not adequately considered this factor.
- With relatively short-acting benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) (Table 1, Chapter I), it is not possible to achieve a smooth decline in blood and tissue concentrations.
Protracted withdrawal may continue for months or even years after stopping a benzodiazepine drug. Symptoms include anxiety, depression, and cognitive and memory difficulties as well as some physical symptoms, such as muscle spasms or feelings of electricity in the limbs. Acute withdrawal symptoms occur a few days after the last dose and last anywhere from five to 28 days. Certain medications are utilized during the acute withdrawal phase to minimize the risk of relapse. Suicidal thoughts and behavior that may arise during the acute withdrawal stage can be addressed through therapy and support groups. This phenomenon occurs with long-term use of benzodiazepine, suppressing the brain’s natural mechanisms to calm itself.
Mitigating Factors
It is during this early withdrawal time that the brain may experience the rebound effect with heightened stress, panic, and anxiety levels as well as trouble sleeping. Mental confusion and “foggy brain” feelings are common as well.Within a week of stopping a benzodiazepine drug, acute withdrawal may begin, which can last for as little as two weeks or continue on for several months. When people take benzos for longer than a few months, or when they take high doses of benzos, the brain comes to depend on these drugs. When they are removed, people may experience anxiety, panic, hallucinations, and/or seizures. The safest way to deal with a benzo addiction is to enroll in a medical detox program.