Benzodiazepine Detox Centers In the United States
Benzodiazepines are part of a type of medication commonly called tranquillizers, also referred to as central nervous system 
central nervous system (CNS) depressants, anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics. These medications are HIGHLY physically and psychologically addictive. When the individual is using benzodiazepines on a long-term basis, it creates a great dependency and also reduces the general health of the person.
Withdrawal from benzodiazepine can sometimes be done at home with the follow-up of a doctor or medical staff. Furthermore, there are some facilities, which specialize in medication detox and offer a residential setting to get the individual safely off the medication.
When someone has been using benzos on a long-term basis and with high dosage, the withdrawal symptoms are severe and will appear 24 to 48 hours or even longer after the last dosage. They can last for weeks and months if not done properly.
Benzodiazepines are depressant depressant drugs so if the individual is taking them with other depressants such as alcohol or opiates, the person can overdose accidentally.
How addictive is benzodiazepine, and will detox help me get off it?
This particular drug can be very physically addictive, especially for people who may be abusing other drugs. The physical withdrawals are very difficult to overcome, and usually require other medications to help alleviate the symptoms. A detox program can help an addict get over the withdrawal hump, but follow up with a treatment program is important.
Main effects of benzodiazepines
These are the main effects of benzodiazepines:
- Hypnotics (which help to sleep)
- Anxiolytics (to reduce anxiety and produce relaxation);
- Anti-seizure (to reduce the possibility of seizures and convulsions commonly use for alcohol withdrawal)
- Muscle relaxant
- Amnesic (tend to disrupt both short and long-term memory).
Common name of benzodiazepines
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (ativan)
- Oxazepam (Serenid-d)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Medazepam (Nobrium)
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Clonazepam -- Klonopin (Rivotril)
- Bromazepam (Lexotan)
- Clobazam (Frisium)
- Clorazepate (Tranxene)
- Temazepam (Normison)
- Nitrazepam (Mogadon)
- Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
- Flurazepam (Dalmane)
- Loprazolam(Dormonoct)
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Sleep disorders
- Depersonalization
- De realization
- Hypersensitivity
- Depression
- Suicidal behaviors
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Delirium tremors
Remember benzodiazepines are very addictive. It takes about four weeks of regular use to be habit-forming. Most of the time people will need to attend a detox center.
How long do benzodiazepines stay in your system?
After the last dose, benzodiazepines can stay into your system for as long as weeks or months. However, the average time for them to stay in your system is 2-28 days. It does depend on the amount you take and your physical health.
Benzodiazepines Addiction Treatment In the United States
Benzodiazepines are a class of sedative drugs, which are generally prescribed, which have the properties of being anticonvulsant, hypnotic and sedative. In the field of addiction, these drugs are commonly used to detox people from alcohol because it prevents the common withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, seizures and muscle spasms.
SAFETY OF BENZODIAZEPINE
Benzodiazepine is safest if it used on a short-term basis but still there can be some cognitive impairments such as aggression and other paradoxical reactions, which mean the opposite effects of what the medication is supposed to do. Long-term use of benzodiazepine is not only not recommended; it is proven to trap the unsuspecting user by creating a tolerance, which means addiction and physical dependency, and also it has unbelievably harsh withdrawal symptoms upon stopping it. Benzodiazepine is in addition a drug widely abused, commonly sold on the street, and comes along with the same incredibly harsh withdrawal symptoms often resulting in a psychotic tooltip psychotic break, and sometimes resulting in hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital.
BENZODIAZEPINES USE FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are usually treated with benzodiazepine. It mainly prevents seizures and delirium (DTs) when the person has ceased his intake of alcohol. The most common benzos used to detox from alcohol are Diazepam commonly called valium and librium. They are long lasting benzos which is better to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms than short acting ones such as ativan and oxazepam. The shorter life benzos are also more prone to rebound effects.
BENZOS CONTRAINDICATION
Benzodiazepines should never be used in the following situations or conditions:
- Respiratory problems
- Severe liver deficiency
- Sleep apnea syndrome
- Pregnancy, labor and lactation
- Breast feeding
- Phobic or obsessional states
- Chronic psychosis
- Major depression and thus precipitating suicidal tendencies
- Abrupt or over rapid withdrawal after long-term use is contraindicated - risk of a severe benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome developing with symptoms such as toxic psychosis, convulsions or a condition resembling delirium tremens.
- History of physical dependence on benzodiazepines or other cross tolerant drugs such as other GABAergic sedative hypnotic drugs, including alcohol - risk of rapid reinstatement of dependency. Benzodiazepines increase craving for alcohol in problem alcohol consumers. Benzodiazepines also increased the volume of alcohol consumed by problem drinkers.
- Driving a motor vehicle, increased risk of road traffic accident
- Neuromuscular disease
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
| Blurred vision | Grogginess |
| Changes in heart rate | Headache |
| Confusion | Hypotension |
| Depression | Impaired alterness |
| Dizziness | Impaired coordination |
| Drowsiness | Upset stomach |
| Falls or Ataxia | Weakness |
FEWER COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
- Euphoria
- Amnesia
- Dissociation or depersonalization dreaming or nightmareschest painparadoxical reactionsvision changesvery rarely jaundice.
BENZO'S WITHDRAWAL SYMTPOMS
Withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines will occur when the person has a physical dependency to the medication. It happens when the person uses the medication on a long-term basis. It happens when the drug is reduced or stopped abruptly. It would be less severe when gradually weaned off. It can take a very short time to become addicted to benzodiazepine.
STREET NAMES
Tranks and downers
Always seek professional help to detox from benzos. Do not cut off your medication before talking to your doctor.
IS BENZODIAZEPINES ADDICTIVE?
Although Benzodiazepine is helpful in many cases, it makes you physically and psychologically dependent on it. This dependence leads to sweating, headaches, panic attacks and many other severe symptoms. Due to high dependence, the withdrawal becomes a challenge with harsh after-effects, such as seizures.
HOW TO DETOX FROM BENZODIAZEPINES
There are different starting points if it is an addiction or a prescription:
Addiction – locate an inpatient medical detox center
References: http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.cesar.umd.edu
Extended Care Services for Substance Abuse
- Addiction Extended Care Services in the United States
- Addiction Meetings in the United States
- Aftercare Programs in the United States
- Halfway Houses in the United States
- Relapse Prevention Programs in the United States
- Sober Living Communities in the United States
- Transitional Housing in the United States
