Recognizing that recovery is often nonlinear, a more nuanced view of treatment is needed, one that acknowledges that there are multiple paths to recovery. Expecting complete abstinence may be unrealistic in some cases and can even be harmful. It can pose a barrier to seeking and entering treatment and perpetuate stigma and shame at treatment setbacks.
- We’ll break down how the drug is meant to be used, the main risks, and other ways to manage your anxiety.
- Seven participants from Glasgow were prescribed the buprenorphine long acting injection but no participants from Bristol or Teesside were.
- Medical programs, like those offered at various treatment centers, provide a controlled setting where patients receive 24/7 support, reducing the temptation to relapse and ensuring comprehensive care.
- Reach out to them by calling today to verify your insurance, go over other ways to pay for rehab, and determine the right option for you.
Understanding the Difference Between Detox vs Rehab
However, because benzodiazepines have more severe side effects, including a risk of dependence, SSRIs are often recommended first for generalized anxiety disorder. One 2024 meta-analysis of previous studies found that benzodiazepines were more effective than SSRIs at reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety. By gradually reducing the dose, you give your body time to adjust to the lower levels of the substance, which lessens the severity of withdrawal symptoms and paves the way for a smoother transition off the drug. Whilst people acknowledged that their benzodiazepine could affect memory and lead to disinhibited behaviour, memory black-outs were not frequently reported but was accepted that this was a consequence or desired outcome of their co-use. As the quotes from participant 11 and 20 above exemplify, people were also ambivalent about the overdose risk posed by their co-use throughout the day. For some, co-use binges were irregular occurrences with no set frequency or interval between binges (people reported binging on rare occurrences through to 2–3 times per week).
Creating a plan for long-term recovery after benzodiazepine detox
Despite withdrawal symptoms like insomnia and anxiety, the prevalence is generally low when following well-structured Alcoholics Anonymous approaches. Research indicates that after a gradual dose reduction, success rates at the 12-month mark range from 24% to 51%. A notable study involving 139 adult participants revealed that 45.2% from an intervention group were able to successfully discontinue benzodiazepine use, compared to just 9.1% in the control group.
How a PHP Can Help Prevent Relapse
People with certain mental health conditions may be more likely to become addicted to benzodiazepines. With advances in technology, online counseling and teletherapy services are becoming more common and effective forms of mental health treatment. Addiction treatments were once restricted to in-person meetings, but can now happen anytime and anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Inpatient treatmentis a likely step for people suffering from drug addiction. Inpatient rehabilitation provides an opportunity to leave potentially harmful influences or environments. Once people decide to seek treatment, the first step in the recovery process is to evaluate the level of care that is needed.
The Link Between Alcohol Detox and Mental Health Recovery
People who are using illegal drugs or other substances should not use lorazepam. People with a history of alcohol dependence or abuse should not use lorazepam unless recommended by their doctor. Drinking alcohol or using certain illegal drugs alongside lorazepam can also increase these risks.
- These can include life-threatening withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, and intense anxiety.
- Prescription opiates include codeine, morphine and oxycodone, typically prescribed to manage pain.
- The evaluation can also uncover any co-occurring disorders that need to be treated alongside their addiction.
- Those who have been using high doses or have a long history of dependency are at a higher risk for severe complications, including seizures and psychosis.
- Therapy can also benefit people by teaching them to notice internal physiological sensations such as racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, numbness and tingling.
Long-term recovery often requires ongoing counseling, peer support, and therapy to maintain sobriety and rebuild a fulfilling life. Support groups, like those offered by Narcotics Anonymous, can provide you with encouragement and a sense of community. With determination and comprehensive care, overcoming benzodiazepine addiction and achieving long-term recovery is within reach. The choice of approach depends on an assessment of the risk of harm and relapse. Low-risk patients can be managed in general practice and may benefit most from attempting withdrawal. High-risk patients are best managed with initial stabilisation and maintenance therapy in specialist residential or outpatient addiction services.
- These side effects typically begin1-2 days after the last dose, and continues for2-4 weeks or longer, but the complete duration of side effects varies from person to person.
- It’s like assembling a personalized toolkit to help you weather the storm of detox.
- In order to successfully overcome a benzodiazepine addiction, the individual needs to maintain a committed approach to recovery after the initial period of rehab is complete.
- The most important thing that can be done at home is to recognize that there may be a problem and to seek help.
- Support groups play a crucial role in the recovery process for individuals who have completed benzodiazepine detox.
Lady Gaga and Her Struggles with Drug Abuse
Co-use binges, with large amounts of benzodiazepine were also reported to benzodiazepine withdrawal cause memory black-outs (see also Fig. 4 below which depicts the co-use timeline reported by participant 13). A qualitative interview study with people who co-used prescribed and/or illicit opioids (e.g. heroin, OAT) and benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam) or z-drugs (e.g. zopiclone). When you mix benzos with other CNS depressants, such as alcohol or opioids, the sedating effects are magnified to a lethal degree.
- HF, GV, HP who have extensive qualitative and behavioural science expertise conducted the interviews and led the analysis with support from JS, GH and JK.
- Benzodiazepine prescriptions were filled in the U.S. in 2022, highlighting their widespread use.
- Detoxification from these substances is a critical first step towards recovery, enabling individuals to safely transition away from drug dependence.
There is no clear answer to the question, “How long is benzodiazepine treatment? ” People who become addicted to benzos vary in height, weight, age, and level of dosage consumed before beginning treatment. Treatment for their addiction can often take months if patients undergo all of the most common steps — detoxification, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, and aftercare — but some people may need fewer or more stages of care. Benzodiazepine addiction is a pressing issue, with millions of people worldwide affected by the misuse of these drugs.
Is Alcohol Detox Right for You? Signs and Symptoms
It’s also helpful to have psychological support to manage cravings and PAWS. For people wanting to withdraw from prescription drugs, such as opiates, benzodiazepines or stimulants, the detox process can feel overwhelming. You might experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when you’re detoxing from prescription drugs, which can vary in severity and duration, depending on the drug you’re addicted to, how long you’ve been using it for, and how much you’ve been taking. Little research has been conducted on alternative endpoints in opioid use disorder treatment, but it will be needed to advance medication development in this area. Decreased substance use also makes it more likely that the individual can hold a job, be a supportive family member, and so on.
