Benzodiazepine is used as sedative prescription medications for different health problems, such as anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and insomnia. However, medical experts recommend stopping the use of benzos even as a treatment because long-term use can result in side effects like addiction, memory problems, and withdrawal. It is important for you to know diazepam withdrawal symptoms if you are prescribed one.
What is a Benzodiazepine?
Benzodiazepines are a collection or group of medications which is used to treat different medical conditions. These are the ideal medications for trouble sleeping and panic disorders. Benzos attach to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and affect the brain. GABA is a natural chemical that ensures mental and physical relaxation.
What are the Different Types of Benzo Medications?
There are various kinds of benzo medications for the treatment of different health issues. Some of the medications offer a quick effect for a short time, and others take a longer time to offer a long-term effect. Let’s take a look at different benzodiazepine types before exploring the withdrawal symptoms.
- Ativan or Lorezpam
- Droxacepam or Oxazepam
- Klonopin or Clonazepam
- Librium or Chlordiazepoxide
- Onfi or Clobazam
- Restoril or Temazepam
- Tranxene or Clorazepate
- Valium or Diazepam
- Xanax or Alprazolam
What is a Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
It’s a process of reducing or entirely stopping the use of benzodiazepines. The best strategy is to limit the use of benzos for a short time. The gradual stopping of the use of benzodiazepines allows you to avoid different health problems that can be caused by sudden withdrawal. You can get rehab help if you want to quit benzodiazepine addiction.
Withdrawal can result in different negative effects when you lower or abruptly stop your dose quickly. Benzo withdrawal can result in delirium and seizures, which can eventually lead to death. Excessive use of benzodiazepines can also result in physical dependence. Therefore, your body relies on the substance for normal functionality.
You must take Benzo in combination with different substances, such as alcohol and opioids, to avoid dependence. Bezno withdrawal indicates that your body is dependent on the use of benzodiazepines.
You can experience physical dependence even if you are following a prescription. Long-term use can cause sedative use disorder, which is a symptom of benzo misuse. You can also experience different problems, such as overdose and cognitive problems.
What are the Different Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
There are different physical and psychological symptoms of Benzo withdrawal, which are mentioned below:
Psychological Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Worse concentration and memory
Physical Symptoms
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Flue-like pains and aches (benzo flu)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stiffness or muscle pain
- Sweating
- Tremors or shakiness
- Vomiting
Serious Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
There are also some serious symptoms that are more dangerous than physical and psychological symptoms. Let’s take a look at the most harmful symptoms that can cause serious health problems:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Heart attack
- Seizures
Are you experiencing any benzo withdrawal symptoms?
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How to Stop Using Benzodiazepines Safely
Gradually reducing the dose is a possible option that minimizes the withdrawal symptoms. You can get medical and rehab support for the safe stopping of using benzodiazepines. Moreover, you can also talk to your family and friends, which is also helpful for avoiding the use of benzos without negative effects.
How Much Time is Required for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
The required time for acute benzodiazepine withdrawal usually takes 2 weeks to several months. However, it is important to remember that the withdrawal timeline varies from person to person depending on factors like benzodiazepine type, dose, and use duration. For instance, you can feel withdrawal symptoms quickly when you use lorazepam or Xanax. However, you can’t experience symptoms quickly when you use clorazepate or clonazepam.
Let’s take a look at different timeframes of withdrawal symptoms:
The Initial Few Days
You can experience the short-acting benzo alprazolam within two days. However, symptoms of a long-acting benzodiazepine like diazepam may appear in two to seven days. There are different initial withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, sweating, rapid heartbeat, nausea, muscle aches, restlessness, discomfort, and panic attacks. An overdose of short-acting benzos can result in intense withdrawal. There are also rare chances of delirium or seizures after benzo withdrawal.
Days to Weeks
Withdrawal symptoms of short-acting benzodiazepines can last for two to four weeks. However, long-acting benzo symptoms usually last for a longer time with less intensity.
Weeks to Months
Protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal can take longer than a few days or weeks. A few people have experienced a post-acute withdrawal syndrome for years. The symptoms of long-term benzo use are related to the brain, such as nervousness, long-term anxiety, and limited concentration. It also increases the chances of brain damage from benzodiazepines.
What are the Different Options for Treatment of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
Slowing down the dose is the initial option to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal. Slow stopping can protect you from different withdrawal risks. A prescriber can ask you to take the long-acting benzo instead of the short-acting one to reduce the withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines with a reduced dose with the passage of time.
Consider using the following medication options to treat withdrawal symptoms:
- Alpha Agonists: Oral ingestion of clonidine for a fast heartbeat rate and anxiety.
- Antidiarrheal Medications: Bismuth salicylate and loperamide for diarrhea.
- Nausea Medications: Ondansetron and metoclopramide for vomiting and nausea.
- Over-the-Counter Painkillers: Acetaminophen and ibuprofen for headaches and muscle aches.
- Seizure Medications: Gabapentin and carbamazepine for anxiety and trouble sleeping.
There are also different behavioral therapies to deal with the benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
6 Major Signs of Benzo Withdrawal
You will note that the most prominent signs of benzodiazepine withdrawal and their timelines can vary from one person to another.
- Emotional and Cognitive Problems
The withdrawal symptoms can also result in different cognitive and emotional challenges. You can experience concentration and memory problems, making it tough for you to focus on recalling memories and on daily tasks. There are also different challenges like agitation and mood swings, resulting in sadness and frustration.
- Increased Anxiety and Panic Attacks
A person can experience heightened anxiety and worry, which can make them feel on edge. The anxiety can appear in different forms, such as changes in heartbeat rate and sweating. Basically, anxiety is a direct response to stress caused by benzodiazepine withdrawal. Consider daily activities to deal with the anxiety.
An individual can also undergo panic attacks due to benzodiazepine withdrawal. It’s a good strategy to consider deeper breathing exercises, stress management, and progressive muscle relaxation therapies to deal with panic attacks. Moreover, you can also get help from your family and friends to manage challenges during the withdrawal process.
- Physical Discomfortability
Benzo withdrawal can cause physical discomfort, making it difficult for you to focus on daily activities. Dizziness, digestive problems, fatigue, and muscle tension are the results of avoiding the use of benzodiazepines after being addicted to them. There are different strategies to overcome the side effects of withdrawal, such as massage therapy, swimming, relaxation exercises, and yoga.
- Seizures
Benzo withdrawal symptoms can result in seizures, which are a medical emergency requiring quick treatment and rehab. There are higher chances of seizures in people who use higher doses of benzodiazepines. The use of anti-seizure medication with professional medical support can help you prevent seizures.
- Sleeping Problems
Insomnia is one of the common symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal, which can lead to anxiety and fatigue. It is a prescribed medication for falling asleep, which can disturb the sleeping cycle, resulting in drowsiness. Therefore, you can experience exhaustion, which means you can’t fall asleep.
There are different techniques, including stopping the intake of alcohol and caffeine ensuring an ideal sleeping schedule. You can modify the sleeping environment to control anxiety and ensure relaxation.
Loss of Appetite
When you withdraw from the benzodiazepine, the last sign can be the loss of appetite. The withdrawal symptoms are the main reason for feeling no appetite. Therefore, you will have a lower interest in the foods that lead to unintended weight loss. The loss of appetite can result in stomach pain and fatigue.
Get Help for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal in Maryland
The treatment of benzodiazepines is within your access, as MD Rehab Center offers the best treatment and rehab options. Our center helps individuals who are experiencing benzo abuse. We are just a call away to provide the rehab for benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
