Benzodiazepines are medications that slow down activity in the brain and nervous system. The drug is used in different medical settings, but there are some cases wherein the drug is also used illicitly and abused. When a person takes too much of the drug for a prolonged time, they may experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit it.
What Is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?
Benzodiazepine withdrawal is when people dependent on the drug start to experience unpleasant symptoms when quitting or tapering off the drug. Withdrawal happens because the body becomes so used to the drug’s presence that it doesn’t know how to function without it.
One study states that benzo withdrawal is more likely to occur in people who have taken the drug for longer than 3–4 weeks. People are also more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if the drug is ceased abruptly.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Increased sensitivity to sound
- Hallucinations
- Seizures (in severe cases)
Timeline of Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms
Here’s a timeline of symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome:
Early Withdrawal
Early withdrawal happens within a few hours or days after a person stops taking the drug. The onset usually depends on the half-life of benzodiazepine, with short-acting benzodiazepines triggering symptoms more quickly. During early withdrawal, people with benzodiazepine dependence will start to experience symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.
Acute Withdrawal
Acute withdrawal is when the symptoms of withdrawal are the most intense. This phase happens around 1 to 2 weeks after last taking benzodiazepines. It’s the time when sweating, nausea, tremors, or anxiety symptoms are at their peak and require round-the-clock care. Without proper supervision, these symptoms can be extremely difficult to manage.
Post-Acute Withdrawal Phase
The post-acute withdrawal phase is when the symptoms start to ease and become more manageable. While they’re still present, they no longer severely affect a person’s life. Instead, the symptoms vary greatly depending on factors like duration or use and tapering methods. The post-acute withdrawal phase occurs between a few weeks to a few months.
Protracted Withdrawal
Protracted withdrawal is the final stage of withdrawal. It’s the stage that lasts the longest since it refers to the symptoms that linger even after addiction treatment. During this stage, people struggling with withdrawal may experience symptoms like persistent anxiety, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances. Symptoms may be less intense but can last for months to a few years.
Factors That Affect Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal
Withdrawal from benzodiazepine use will look different for everyone. Many factors will affect the intensity and duration of symptoms, such as:
Type of Benzodiazepine
The type of benzodiazepine affects how quickly symptoms manifest, as well as the intensity of the said symptoms. Short-acting benzodiazepines are processed more quickly by the body, so the symptoms have a quicker onset and have more intense syndromes. On the other hand, long-acting benzodiazepines are processed more slowly. While quitting these types of benzodiazepines is more manageable, it still produces a few withdrawal symptoms.
Dosage
Those who take higher doses of benzodiazepines are more likely to experience intense withdrawal symptoms. This is because large doses will cause the body to be more dependent on the drug. With the absence of benzos, the withdrawal symptoms worsen.
Duration of Use
People who have been taking benzos for a longer time are more likely to be dependent on the drug. As such, they will have longer and more intense symptoms than someone who has been using benzos for a short time.
Tapering Method
Abrupt cessation (quitting “cold turkey”) will have far more intense withdrawal symptoms than tapering off the drug. Many professionals do a gradual tapering of the drug to reduce the intensity of symptoms and lower the risk of complications. Tapering is when patients take a lower dosage of the drug until they eventually stop taking it altogether.
Overall Health
A person’s age, metabolism, and other health conditions affect how the body processes benzos. It also has an impact on how they recover during the withdrawal phase. For instance, older people have slower metabolisms, so the body will take longer to process benzodiazepines. As such, they experience prolonged withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit the drug.
Polysubstance Use
Polysubstance use is also a factor that affects the intensity and duration of benzo withdrawal symptoms. This is especially evident in those who take the drug without a professional’s oversight.
In some cases, people will take benzos with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, to “enhance” the effects of the drug. However, mixing the substances won’t necessarily enhance the drug’s effects, and it can even lead to increasing symptom severity.
Dangers of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Since withdrawal comes with several unpleasant side effects, failing to manage these side effects properly can lead to different dangers.
One of the most severe risks of benzo withdrawal is seizures. While this is rare and only happens in extreme cases, seizures can lead to physical injury and brain damage when not properly attended to. Proper medical supervision is essential to prevent these kinds of complications.
Withdrawal without proper supervision also has a higher risk of relapse. Since withdrawal symptoms aren’t managed properly, people with benzo dependence are more likely to return to benzodiazepine use to alleviate the discomfort.
Medically Assisted Detox for Benzos
The best way to go through benzodiazepine withdrawal is through medically assisted detox. Detox is the process of eliminating the drug from the system so that a person is ready for the next steps of treatment.
With medical assistance, the process becomes safer and more comfortable. Medical professionals know the most efficient way to manage the unpleasant symptoms that come with withdrawal. They also know how to provide the necessary medical care once complications arise.
Remember that detoxing from benzos on one’s own is never okay. Detox is a process that can cause serious issues without the proper assistance.
Rehab Treatment for Benzo Withdrawal
After a patient successfully goes through medically assisted detox, they’re ready for the next stage of treatment, which is usually rehab. Rehab for benzodiazepines can be done inside or outside a rehab facility, depending on the patient’s needs and goals.
Those who go through detox often have more intense addictions, so they are recommended to go through inpatient rehab. This setup is when clients live in a rehab facility to receive treatment. It’s a more structured environment that helps clients get to the root of their addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Addiction Treatment at Liberty Home Clinic
Benzodiazepine and other prescription drugs can do more harm than good when not taken under medical supervision. This illicit use can quickly turn to addiction, which requires professional help.
Here at Liberty Home Clinic, we have a team of professionals who can address different aspects of addiction. From withdrawal to aftercare, our team is happy to help you live a sober life. Contact us today to know more.
