Benzo Treatment

Why Are Benzodiazepines Addictive?

Benzodiazepines' addictiveness is primarily due to their drastic impact on brain neurotransmitters and their calming effects. Benzos increases the inhibitory effects of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter, lowering neuronal excitability and creating a calming effect. People may require higher doses to achieve the same effects, increasing addiction risk.

The euphoria and relaxation benzos provide can be reinforcing, leading to psychological dependence. Individuals seeking fast relief from anxiety or discomfort may find benzos tempting due to their quick action and short-term respite. Even when aware of negative effects, users may continue due to fear of withdrawal symptoms, making professional treatment crucial.

The benzodiazepine mechanism of action includes the following:

• Altered brain chemistry: Long-term use changes how the brain works, making it harder to function without the drug. This makes people keep using it, finding it tough to imagine life without it.
• GABA manipulation: Benzos boosts the activity of a brain chemical called GABA, which calms the brain, reduces anxiety, and promotes relaxation. With time, the brain may rely on these drugs to keep GABA levels up, leading to dependence.
• Reinforcement and reward: The calming and anxiety-relieving effects of benzodiazepines can make people want to use them more, creating a cycle of dependence. Some start with a prescription but may use them to cope with stress or discomfort, adding to the addiction.
• Tolerance development: Over time, the body gets used to benzodiazepines, so the same dose becomes less effective. People often increase their dose to get the same effects.

The Importance of Benzo Detox

Before admitting individuals into any treatment program, our clinical experts conduct a full assessment to gather information about physical, psychological, and social functioning, helping develop an individualized rehabilitation plan. Recovering from benzodiazepine addiction without professional support can be challenging and dangerous. Therefore, before starting treatment, patients undergo a health assessment to determine the most suitable detox and addiction treatment program. Once the assessment is completed, patients in our rehab usually begin benzo rehab with benzo withdrawal treatment. During medically assisted detox, patients receive 24-hour medical assistance to properly manage their benzo withdrawal symptoms, address drug cravings, and ensure they remain as comfortable and safe as possible. Attempting to detox at home or without medical supervision increases the individual’s chances of experiencing further health complications.

Common benzo withdrawal symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Irregular heart rate
• Memory loss
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Vomiting

Professional withdrawal treatment can mitigate these symptoms, making recovery more comfortable and reducing relapse likelihood. Detox is only the first step; comprehensive care ensures medical stability and teaches patients to manage sobriety after rehab.

How to Treat a Benzodiazepine Addiction

Long-term abuse of Benzodiazepine can lead to cognitive impairment, increased accident risk, and hip fractures in those over 65. Addiction causes brain changes that make quitting difficult, with withdrawal symptoms often leading to relapse. Benzodiazepine rehab services help individuals overcome substance abuse problems.

Treatment includes detox followed by inpatient or partial hospitalization programs to aid recovery. Patients participate in therapy to address addiction roots and learn to manage future cravings. Quitting benzos without professional help is not recommended due to the risks involved.

Regardless of which of our levels of care for substance abuse treatment patients are placed in, all of our top-level programs utilize various therapy and counseling modalities to promote healing, some but not all of these therapies include:

• 12 Step Programs
• Art Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy
• Life Skills Training
• Medical Assessments
• Yoga
• & More