Benzo Addiction Treatment
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a type of psychoactive drug that’s often prescribed to treat conditions like anxiety disorders, panic disorders, seizures, and insomnia. Benzos are considered depressant drugs, meaning they target certain chemicals in the brain that contribute to reduced nerve activity and functioning. In particular, benzos target the chemical GABA, which inhibits communication between nerves and causes sedation and drowsiness, among other side effects. Many people – including active-duty and veterans – abuse these medications long-term due to their side effects, a habit that often results in a severe drug use disorder. For military personnel and veterans wanting to get sober, our Banyan military rehab center offers professional benzo addiction treatment that can help.
Understanding Benzodiazepine Addiction & Abuse
When used as prescribed and under the direction of a healthcare provider, benzos can be highly effective in managing symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and other disorders. However, due to their sedative and relaxing side effects on the brain and body, many individuals who start off taking these substances for a disorder end up misusing them to get high.
If someone takes benzos for an extended period, they’re likely to develop a tolerance to them, which means they’ll require higher doses to achieve the desired effect. This can lead to dependence and addiction.
Common signs of benzo addiction include:
- Continued use of benzos despite negative consequences on one’s health and relationships
- Cravings for these drugs
- Difficulty stopping use despite these consequences
- Increased tolerance to these drugs
- Physical symptoms like tremors and seizures
- Repeated failed attempts to stop using benzos
- Social isolation and neglect of responsibilities due to drug use
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using benzos
Long-term benzo abuse can contribute to a variety of physical and mental health problems. Some potential consequences of long-term benzodiazepine abuse include:
- Physical dependence, which means that the body has adapted to the effects of the drug and can’t function efficiently without it
- Tolerance, which refers to the requirement of larger doses to achieve the desired effect
- Cognitive impairment, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and confusion
- Mood disorders like depression and anxiety
- Physical health problems such as respiratory problems, liver damage, and gastrointestinal problems
As a rehab for veterans and military personnel, we’re familiar with the high rates of substance abuse among this group. Many of these individuals turn to drugs and alcohol – like benzos – either because they started by taking them for a disorder or to purposely escape hardships like trauma.
Regardless of the “why,” if you suspect that you or someone you care about is struggling with benzodiazepine abuse, it’s important to seek professional treatment right away. Our Military and Veterans in Recovery program offers benzo addiction treatment that incorporates individual and group therapies along with physical care that supports long-term sobriety.
What Our Benzo Rehab Center Offers
Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease that requires in-depth care and support to teach the individual how to live a sober lifestyle. As one of few veterans addiction treatment centers that offer benzodiazepine addiction treatment, Banyan offers the medical and psychotherapy services required to achieve and sustain long-term sobriety.
The first step in treating our clients is a clinical assessment. Upon admission to one of our Banyan rehab locations, clients undergo a clinical assessment to determine factors like the intensity of their addiction, the medical care they require, whether they have a mental health disorder, and more. It’s important to determine these factors first to ensure the individual is receiving the right treatment plan.
Following this assessment, most individuals with severe benzo use disorders undergo benzo withdrawal treatment as the first step of care. Otherwise referred to as benzo detox, this is a medically-supervised form of care in which the individual is placed on a tapering schedule to gradually reduce their doses and flush these drugs out of their system.
In addition to tapering, veterans and active-duty personnel receiving medically-assisted detox at our addiction treatment facilities will also be administered detox medication, as needed, to reduce any discomfort or pain caused by withdrawal symptoms. Common benzo withdrawal symptoms treated in detox include:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Muscle stiffness, spasms, and pain
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Sweating and chills
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Delirium tremens (DT) or seizures (in more severe cases)
It’s important to note that benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening in extreme cases, especially in people who have been taking high doses for long periods. It’s essential to seek out medical supervision when detoxing from benzos to ensure a safe and successful withdrawal.
Benzo Addiction Treatment Center
If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, it’s important to seek out professional care at a facility such as our benzo addiction treatment center. Our veterans detox and addiction services are designed to help individuals overcome the physical and psychological impact of substance abuse and support long-term sobriety.
With the support of services like detox, individual therapy, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment, our addiction treatment facilities can make recovery possible. For more information about our rehab programs for veterans, contact Banyan Treatment Centers now.
Related Reading:
What You Should Know About Taking Zoloft for Bipolar Disorder
