Equivalent potencies of benzodiazepines are shown in Table 1 (Chapter I), but these are only approximate and differ between individuals. Regardless of how long you’ve been using benzos, always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication regimen. They can create a tailored plan to gradually reduce your dosage, a process known as tapering. This method helps minimize withdrawal symptoms and allows your body to adjust slowly, making benzodiazepine withdrawal safer and more manageable. Abruptly discontinuing benzodiazepines like Xanax brings about a withdrawal syndrome.

How Overdose Occurs on Benzos

• Often the help of a clinical psychologist, trained counsellor, or other therapist is valuable, especially for teaching relaxation techniques, deep breathing, how to deal with a panic attack etc.
• These cardiovascular medicines should really be taken continuously and not skipped for several days at a time.
• The onset of these symptoms typically occurs within the first week after stopping the medication and can last anywhere from 10 to 14 days.
• In fact, the write-in comments providedprofound insights into benzodiazepine-related adverse effects and how patients dealwith them.
• This page explores what’s involved with benzo withdrawal and what causes it.

West Georgia Wellness Center offers comprehensive support to help you through this challenging time. People with chronic illnesses often have to take medicines for a long time. For example, 50% of patients treated for high blood pressure in a long term study delayed one or more doses a month of a once-a-day medicine for over 30 hours. In fact, 10% of the patients delayed 2 or more doses per month for over 2 � days (1). Other studies show that medicines that effectively treat cardiovascular disease are frequently just stopped by the patient (2).

Drug deprescription—withdrawal risk, prevention, and treatment

The specific tapering schedule will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of benzodiazepine, the dosage, and the duration of use. Your healthcare provider may recommend a tapering schedule that involves gradually reducing your dose over several weeks or months, with regular check-ins and adjustments as needed. Attempting to discontinue benzodiazepines without professional medical support can be extremely dangerous and, in some cases, life-threatening. It is crucial to work with a healthcare provider who is experienced in managing benzodiazepine withdrawal to ensure a safe and successful recovery. Many doctors, detox facilities, and other medical providers are uncertain, misinformed and/or uneducated about how to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal and how dangerous an over-rapid or ‘cold-turkey’ withdrawal can be. Addiction-centered programs are also not appropriate for individuals who took their benzodiazepine as directed by their prescriber and who became physically dependent, without any history of abuse or abuse behavior.

• Patients on maintenance therapy may eventually reach a period of stability in which withdrawal to a lower dose or abstinence may be considered.
• Experts agree that the incidence of protracted symptoms in those who have abruptly stopped a benzodiazepine is higher, and those who have undergone a slow taper at the patient’s individual pace is almost certainly very much lower.

Treatment Approaches

Other therapies, including counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), may be helpful for people looking to manage symptoms without relying on other drugs. If Drug rehabilitation withdrawal symptoms become severe, doctors may prescribe other medications. They will make this decision on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type and severity of the symptoms affecting the individual. Research indicates that physical dependence may begin in just a few weeks, even while taking the drugs in low therapeutic doses.

Proper education and medical support play vital roles in transitioning off benzodiazepines while safeguarding overall health and wellbeing. Abrupt or over-rapid withdrawal, especially from high dosage, can give rise to severe symptoms (convulsions, psychotic reactions, acute anxiety states) and may increase the risk of protracted withdrawal symptoms. emphasis added Slow withdrawal means tapering dosage gradually, usually over a period of some months for some more-sensitive patients whose body requires them to go slower, it can take some years. Because benzo withdrawal can be uncomfortable and sometimes risky, it’s important not to quit them abruptly, especially if you’ve been using them for more than a few days. No matter how long you’ve been taking benzos, always talk to your healthcare provider before stopping.

In fact, there is evidence that cold turkey withdrawal may lengthen the course of the withdrawal syndrome, and may even cause or increase the risk for Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome. Sometimes, protracted withdrawal syndromes are severe, disabling and persist for many years, so it is important to minimize the risk of having protracted withdrawal as much as possible by slowly tapering off of the benzodiazepine. It is important to note that benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous and should be managed by a healthcare professional. Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines can lead to seizures and other life-threatening complications.

This involves gradually reducing the dosage over time, allowing the body’s systems to adjust and regain control of GABA activity, which benzodiazepines suppress. A slow taper can help minimize withdrawal symptoms, making the process more manageable and less risky. The impact of protracted withdrawal can be profound, significantly affecting daily functioning, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Many individuals find themselves grappling with persistent anxiety and sleep disturbances, which can hinder their ability to return to normal activities. Compounding this issue is the general lack of awareness regarding protracted withdrawal among healthcare providers, leading to potential misdiagnosis and a lack of supportive care for patients. Prolonged use of benzodiazepines can lead to the development of tolerance, where the body requires higher doses to achieve the desired effects.

Sign 1: Increased Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Some antidepressant withdrawal (“discontinuation”) symptoms are shown in Chapter 3 (Table 2). Older people can withdraw from benzodiazepines as successfully as younger people, even if they have taken the drugs for years. These findings have been repeated in several other studies of elderly patients taking benzodiazepines long-term. It depends on many factors including the dose and type of benzodiazepine used, duration of use, personality, lifestyle, previous experience, specific vulnerabilities, and the (perhaps genetically determined) speed of your recovery systems. Usually the best judge is benzo withdrawal timeline you, yourself; you must be in control and must proceed at the pace that is comfortable for you.

Recovery and Healing After Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Lynn E. Lytton, MD, at MAPS for Recovery in Austin, TX, specializes in helping individuals safely stop taking benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be challenging and potentially dangerous, which is why it is important to have professional support when discontinuing these medications. The medically supervised detox helps stabilize the body, while therapy provides the tools to manage anxiety, stress, and other triggers that may have led to benzodiazepine use in the first place.Dr. Lytton’s personalized approach includes ongoing support and strategies to help prevent relapse and maintain https://ecosoberhouse.com/ long-term recovery.

It’s essential for individuals going through this withdrawal to address both the psychological and physical symptoms for effective recovery. By understanding the common withdrawal symptoms, the timeline of the recovery process, and the importance of seeking professional help, you can take the necessary steps to manage your withdrawal symptoms and embark on a path towards long-term sobriety. Are you feeling better and think you’re ready to stop taking your antidepressant?

Withdrawal symptoms may vary from person to person, although there are some common symptoms. Good communication with your doctor is the key to ensuring the best possible chances of withdrawal success. Withdrawal symptoms can be extremely unpleasant but usually do not lead to permanent medical harm.