How to Safely Detox from Benzos

How to Safely Detox from Benzos

Benzodiazepines, or benzos for short, are some of the most dangerous prescription medications. The withdrawal symptoms from using benzos can be fatal.

Contact Starbridge Recovery today to see how our monitored medical detox program can keep you safe and support you on the path to sobriety.

What are benzos?

Benzos are a class of addictive drugs used to treat seizures, anxiety disorders, and panic disorders. They can also be used as secondary treatments for many other disorders that might require a drug to suppress the nervous system. Benzodiazepines actually work to rewire how the body functions. 

Benzos can be taken daily for continued maintenance or on an as-needed basis. Benzo misuse occurs when individuals take the drug incorrectly by taking more than prescribed, more often than recommended, and by crushing the pill instead of taking it whole. Additionally, using someone else’s prescription, even as needed, taking the medication after the prescription has ended, and purchasing benzos illegally are signs of misuse.

Are benzos addictive?

Benzos are a highly addictive substance. Individuals who take the medication regularly either as prescribed or illegally can develop a dependence on the drug, develop tolerance to the effects of the drug, and become addicted. 

Individuals who use benzos to get high may experience respiratory distress, confusion, headache, stomach issues, or twitching.

Individuals occasionally try to mitigate these symptoms with opioid pain relievers, which can be a deadly mistake. Mixing opioids and benzodiazepines have caused as many as a fifth of all opioid overdose deaths nationwide in a given year. This combination causes severe depression of the central nervous system. 

An individual overdosing on benzos and a combination drug will have decreased breath sounds, lose consciousness, and may quickly become unresponsive.

How to Safely Detox from Benzos

To safely detox from benzos, you or your loved one should be monitored by a medical professional. They will recommend how to safely ween you from the drug. Benzo addiction and withdrawal can be especially dangerous because withdrawing medication too quickly or at too high a rate can cause epileptic seizures. This can lead to additional immediate health concerns and long-lasting health problems. 

The benzodiazepine withdrawal process includes reducing the amount and frequency the medication is taken. This process can take several weeks to do completely and safely. An individual going through this detox process may experience:

  • Headache
  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Muscle pain, stiffness, and aches
  • Dizziness
  • Visual impairment
  • Confusion
  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety, panic attacks
  • Irritability, restlessness, agitation
  • Poor memory and concentration
  • Depression

These physical and cognitive symptoms necessitate inpatient detox and treatment. Treatment centers will have medical staff trained and familiar with benzo withdrawal protocol and be able to support you or your loved one through this process.

Starbridge Recovery

At Starbridge Recovery, we’re redefining recovery because you’re worth it.

We believe in creating tailored treatment plans to meet the needs of each of our clients. With different experiences, drugs, and symptoms come different types of traditional and alternative therapies, groups, and support.

Get comprehensive addiction treatment with our detoxification and residential inpatient program. Our luxury facility is designed to support individual growth and goal achievement. Through our structured programming, clients can begin to recover their inner selves.
Contact us today for recovery your way.

Are There Bipolar and Addiction Treatment Centers?

Are There Bipolar and Addiction Treatment Centers?

Yes, there are addiction treatment centers that also treat bipolar disorder. A treatment facility that is designed to support co-morbid disorders is ideal for this situation. When an individual struggles with a dual diagnosis, it is crucial for individuals to receive treatment that is comprehensive and tailored to both disorders.

At Starbridge Recovery, we work with individuals to address all mental health concerns, addiction and beyond, to ensure comprehensive treatment and greater opportunity for successful recovery. Contact us today to see how our treatment facility can support your rehabilitation.

What is bipolar?

Bipolar disorder is defined as “a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks” by the National Institute of Mental Health. It can be categorized into three different types of disorders based on the severity and length of both the depressive and manic episodes. 

Bipolar disorder can cause emotions related to euphoria and depression. A person experiencing a manic episode may energetic, high, or anxious. They may also have a decreased need for sleep, a loss of appetite, accelerated speech and thoughts, and how impaired judgment. A person in a manic episode will also likely be unable to focus on one thing for an extended period, and engage in reckless activity more, such as unsafe sex and drug use.

The opposite of this can also occur with bipolar depression. A person may be fatigued, sad, or hopeless during a depressive episode. They are likely to experience troubles related to sleep, either difficulty staying asleep or sleeping too much. An increased appetite and drastic weight gain are common during depressive episodes. Depressive episodes may cause someone to feel like they have nothing to say, forget a lot, have trouble concentrating, feel unable to do even simple things, and have little interest in almost all activities. Extreme depressive episodes may also cause suicidal thoughts or actions.

When an individual feels these extreme changes, they might begin substance abuse as an attempt to self-medicate.

Are bipolar and addiction connected?

Individuals that experience these extreme fluctuations in emotions, especially when they are untreated and unmedicated, may turn to substances to help manage the changes in feelings. According to multiple studies connecting bipolar and alcoholism, somewhere between 40% and 50% of individuals with bipolar depression also have an alcohol use disorder. 

Knowing When it’s Time to Look into Bipolar and Addiction Treatment Centers

Individuals with bipolar disorder who fear they may be struggling with addiction should look for an addiction treatment center that focuses on treating dual diagnosis disorders. By treating your comorbid disorders at the same time, you can experience a greater chance of recovery and sustainable long-lasting sobriety. When treatment is given at the same time, individuals can better learn to manage both, unlike when an individual only seeks treatment for one of the disorders.

Individuals struggling with an alcohol problem who have also noticed extreme fluctuations in emotions may also find it beneficial to go to a treatment center that offers dual diagnosis treatment. If you feel that there may be something else going on, you may be able to receive an additional diagnosis or receive treatment that can help you manage these additional emotions.

Starbridge Recovery

At Starbridge Recovery, our treatment facility is designed to support individuals through dual diagnosis treatment. We work with individuals to support their recovery from addiction and to teach the necessary coping, self-management, and relapse prevention skills necessary. Our thorough treatments are designed to address additional mental health concerns as well. Individuals with anxiety, bipolar, depression, mood disorders, panic disorders, personality disorders, and PTSD/trauma. Our expert care is focused on designing and building your bridge to recovery. 

Starbridge Recovery – Addiction recovery, re-defined because you’re worth it.