Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, and Detox Treatment
This means that you will likely experience Xanax withdrawal, or the uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms of discontinuing the drug. The intensity of your symptoms depends on your dosage, or how much Xanax you’ve been taking and for how long. Another way that people attempt to detox is by quitting “cold turkey,” which is when benzo use is cut off altogether. Stopping the drug so abruptly will cause a person to have very intense withdrawal symptoms that can occur very quickly.
- According to the classification, these drugs have a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence.
- In fact, people who are unwillingly pushed into withdrawal often do badly.
- Given the self-selection factors, these narratives likely tendtowards more severe cases.
- Withdrawal usually comes with powerful cravings, and willpower alone may not be enough to carry you through.
- This dependence may lead to a difficult withdrawal if the person chooses to stop taking the drugs.
Your doctor may have views on whether it is appropriate for you to stop your benzodiazepines. Some doctors, particularly in the US, believe that long-term benzodiazepines are indicated for some anxiety, panic and phobic disorders and some psychiatric conditions. However, medical opinions differ and, even if complete withdrawal is not advised, it may be beneficial to reduce the dosage or to take intermittent courses with benzodiazepine-free intervals. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that benzodiazepines are no longer effective after a few weeks or months of regular use.
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Benzos are often sold illegally but are also prescribed by health care providers. This type of central nervous system depressant is highly addictive. It’s important to understand that addiction to benzos can occur even when they are prescribed and being taken according to your doctor’s instructions.
Direct Tapering
The only safe way to quit is to slowly taper down your dose under the direction of a doctor. Xanax can help people who are in acute distress, but it is not intended for long-term use. The long-term use of benzodiazepines like Xanax can potentially create problems with dependence and withdrawal. By this time, some people may start to feel psychological symptoms like anxiety and irritability on top of their remaining physical symptoms. People may begin to experience insomnia or unpleasant dreams when they are able to fall asleep. Over time, the medication you are substituting with is tapered down until you can safely stop it.
What Is Benzodiazepine Tapering or Weaning off Benzodiazepines?
If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms during tapering, tell your doctor so they can adjust your care plan as needed. Long-time users of benzodiazepines like Xanax can become physically dependent on the drug. When these users try to stop, they can experience psychosis, anxiety, and even seizures. As a result, people dmt: uses side effects and risks with a Xanax habit are encouraged to work with a doctor on a safe tapering plan. The proper rate of the taper, and the length of the tapering process, is deeply dependent on how long the person has used Xanax and how much damage the drug has caused. Your specific tapering schedule will be personalized by your doctor.
Can Valium help with Xanax withdrawal symptoms?
These drugs are habit-forming and can easily result in physical dependence. This dependence may lead to a difficult withdrawal if the person chooses to stop taking the drugs. To do so, researchers pooled results from several published clinical trials and performed mixing ativan and alcohol a metanalysis. Outpatient programs require you to attend onsite (or virtual) counseling sessions and therapies, which look similar or identical to inpatient services. However, you return home or to a sober living environment after treatment each day.
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