9 Things to Expect During Benzo Withdrawal

It may take some time for the cerebellar systems to restabilise after benzodiazepine withdrawal and the symptoms can last until this process is complete. Exercises, such as standing on one leg, first with eyes open, then with eyes closed, can speed recovery. A fascinating symptom in patients undergoing benzodiazepine withdrawal is that they often mention the occurrence of what seem to be intrusive memories. Their minds will suddenly conjure up a vivid memory of someone they have not thought about or seen for years.

What happens when you stop taking benzodiazepines?

People often experience a resurgence of the symptoms that the benzos were initially prescribed to treat – increased anxiety or insomnia, for instance. Gradual reduction in dosage and sometimes substitution with other medications can help minimize rebound symptoms. They can be life-saving in status epilepticus (repeated fits, one after another) and in fits caused by overdose of certain drugs (for example, tricyclic antidepressants). However, rapid withdrawal, especially from high potency benzodiazepines, can precipitate epileptic fits as a rebound reaction.

A Recovery Playbook for Benzos: The Stages of Withdrawal

When tolerance develops, “withdrawal” symptoms can appear even though the user continues to take the drug. Thus the symptoms suffered by many long-term users are a mixture of adverse effects of the drugs and “withdrawal” effects due to tolerance. All benzodiazepines can produce these effects whether taken as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs. The social and economic consequences of chronic benzodiazepine use are summarised in Table 3 (Chapter 1). Although long-actingbenzodiazepines don’t cause withdrawal symptoms as quickly as short-actingbenzos, individuals will still feel the effects of withdrawal fairly soon afterusing them. This stage follows the initial withdrawal, usually starting a few days after cessation and lasting anywhere from 5 to 28 days, though in some cases, it may extend for several months.

Medications For Benzodiazepine Detox

In fact, people who are unwillingly pushed into withdrawal https://ecosoberhouse.com/ often do badly. On the other hand, the chances of success are very high for those sufficiently motivated. As mentioned before, almost anyone who really wants to come off can come off benzodiazepines. So, for those starting out, many previous users will testify that almost anyone who really wants to can withdraw from benzodiazepines. But don’t be surprised if your symptoms (or lack of them) are different from those of anyone else embarking on the same venture. This, of course, canlead to benzo misuse as individuals may begin using more of the drug than theirdoctors have recommended.

• The social and economic consequences of chronic benzodiazepine use are summarised in Table 3 (Chapter 1).
• Depressive symptoms are common both during long-term benzodiazepine use and in withdrawal.
• The body gets used to having them in its system, so when someone stops taking benzodiazepines they begin to experience withdrawal.
• If you’re predisposed to seizures, your risk of having a seizure may also increase during the withdrawal period.
• Sudden changes in brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin can cause hallucinations and psychosis — a brain disorder marked by a disconnection from reality.

Physical Tremors or Shaking

Research in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology notes that an estimated 10–25% of people who use benzos for extended periods experience withdrawal symptoms that last for 12 months or longer. Since benzos act on GABA receptors to induce feelings of calm and relaxation, withdrawing from these drugs can lead to a major imbalance benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome in brain chemicals responsible for regulating mood. In addition to causing anxiety, the brain chemical imbalances caused by benzo withdrawal can lead to mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder. Quitting benzos abruptly can lead to a rebound effect, which is when the symptoms you were treating with benzos in the first place return at a heightened, more intense level.

These reactions are caused by the abrupt exposure of adaptations that have occurred in the nervous system in response to the chronic presence of the drug. Rapid removal of the drug opens the floodgates, resulting in rebound overactivity of all the systems which have been damped down by the benzodiazepine and are now no longer opposed. If you’ve taken benzodiazepines at high doses for an extended period, you may experience long-term withdrawal symptoms, also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or protracted withdrawal. While they can quickly relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic, these drugs pose a high risk of dependence. In other words, your body may rely on benzodiazepines to function if you take them frequently and for more than a short period of time. Detoxing from benzos at home or on your own is dangerous and not recommended, since doing so drug addiction can lead to serious complications, including the risk for suicide and death.

• Many feel intimidated by the potential side effects, but remember that anyone can successfully stop using benzos.
• In 2008 only 5.2% of U.S. adults used benzodiazepines, but in 2012, the rate of benzo prescriptions grew to 37.6 prescriptions for every 100 Americans.
• Doctors typically prescribe benzos for short-term relief from conditions such as anxiety.
• To distract, I gardened, learned to draw, painted, did word puzzles, and watched countless hours of positive, upbeat YouTube videos.

Benzos work by slowing down the central nervous system, which in turn, can slow down digestive processes to suppress appetite and make people less hungry. Those who abuse benzos can become tolerant to the drugs, and require higher amounts to achieve its effects. Using high doses of benzos after becoming tolerant can lead to physical dependence, which is characterized by the presence of withdrawal symptoms when the drug is ceased abruptly. Research indicates that using benzos for longer than three to four weeks can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal. A third important practical factor is the available dosage formulations of the various benzodiazepines.

What happens if you stop taking diazepam suddenly?

If you or someone you care about is struggling with benzodiazepine dependence, reach out for local help today. Data show that these medications are not well-established as effective for discontinuing benzodiazepines (BZDs). Nonetheless, a pharmacological approach may be an alternative to the sudden cessation of BZDs.