Benzodiazepine Detox In Florida | Detoxification From Benzodiazepine - Real Recovery Solutions
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Benzodiazepine Detox

There are plenty of legitimate reasons that you may start taking benzodiazepines, also known as benzos. They’re commonly used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and even muscle spasms. However, lots of people develop a physical dependence on the substance, which results in withdrawal when they stop taking the medication, regardless of how their substance use started. 

During benzodiazepine withdrawals, you’ll benefit from consistent monitoring from experienced professionals, ongoing physical and psychological support, and a sense of community with people in a similar stage of recovery as you are

If you ended up misusing benzos, you’re not alone. The unfortunate reality is that nearly 1 in every 5 people with a prescription for the medication misuse the substance.

At Real Recovery Solutions, we’re dedicated to ensuring that your recovery begins from a place of stability. Our detox program will get benzos safely out of your system, so you can begin recovery with confidence.

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Key Takeaways

  • We treat benzodiazepine use disorder and withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, excessive sweating, and anxiety.
  • We help clients cope with symptoms through a combination of targeted medications, psychological care, and peer support.
  • In the first 12 hours of detox, you’ll experience mild symptoms, which will peak around day four and lessen over the next week or so.
  • Some individuals experience intermittent cognitive symptoms due to post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) for several months after their last dose of benzos.
  • In severe cases, benzo withdrawal can cause hallucinations, delusions, seizures, psychosis or psychotic reactions, and suicidal ideation.
  • Our treatment options following detox include inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and our sober living program.

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    What We Treat: Benzodiazepine Use Disorder and Withdrawal

    Benzodiazepines, commonly referred to as “benzos,” are a class of central nervous system depressants, or tranquilizers. They’re typically prescribed to treat medical conditions, including insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. Benzodiazepines function by enhancing the effectiveness of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and by making the GABA receptors in your body more sensitive.

    When you take a medication, like benzos, for an extended period of time, your body gets used to having it in your system, and the naturally occurring GABA in your body won’t feel sufficient, so you’ll have to readjust when you stop taking it. This is known as a “physical dependence,” which leads to withdrawal, and it can happen whether you’re taking benzos recreationally or as prescribed by a doctor.

    Common symptoms of benzo withdrawal include:

    • Muscle tension
    • Headaches
    • Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
    • Tremors
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Heart palpitations
    • Depression
    • Rebound anxiety
    • Paranoia
    • Mood swings
    • Derealization (feeling your surroundings)
    • Depersonalization (feeling disconnected from yourself)
    • Nightmares
    • Agoraphobia (a fear of being unable to escape stressful situations)
    • Difficulty concentrating

    Most of these symptoms aren’t life-threatening in their own right. However, trying to detox at home isn’t safe. When you do detox at Real Recovery Solutions, you’ll have world-class support from knowledgeable, experienced care providers who can support you through this period.

    benzodiazepine detox

    How We Treat: Safe, Thoughtful Medical Detox

    For the majority of people living with a benzodiazepine use disorder, a professional detox program is the first major step in a lifetime of recovery. It can also be a good choice for people who have been taking it as prescribed for a long time and want careful support while they go off the medication.

    A lot of the symptoms of benzo withdrawal are relatively mild. However, symptoms can lead to complications if they go untreated. There are also rarer, severe symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal that can manifest unexpectedly. At Real Recovery, our clinicians and staff will work together to maximize your comfort during this stage of recovery.

    Many staff members at Real Recovery are in recovery themselves, so they have a personal understanding of the detox experience. Our detox program won’t completely eliminate your symptoms; our goal is to meet you where you’re at and prepare you to succeed in recovery long-term.

    Our detox methods involve 24/7 monitoring, evidence-based psychological care, targeted treatment for individual symptoms, and peer support.

    Detox isn’t just for people who are starting recovery for the first time; it’s also appropriate for people who are recovering from returning to use. Regardless of your experience before coming to our facility, the Real Recovery team will treat you with the respect and dignity every person deserves. We understand the importance of the decision you’re making and are honored that you’re enlisting our support.

    Timeline for Benzodiazepine Detox

    Your timeline for benzo withdrawal will be unique to you. The timeline could be impacted by a variety of factors, including your metabolism, tolerance level, and overall health. That being said, most people follow the same general pattern during withdrawal. Some people stay in our detox program for a full two weeks, while others stay for a week or less. This chart details the typical benzodiazepine detox timeline.
    Withdrawal Timeline Associated Symptoms
    6 to 12 hours after your last dose of a short-release benzodiazepine. Mild symptoms like increased anxiety, cravings, and headaches often start within hours of your last dose.
    1 to 4 days after your last dose of benzos. Over the next handful of days, your symptoms will become more intense. They’ll include vomiting and tremors and will typically peak around day 4.
    7 to 14 days after your last dose. After the first week or so, symptoms will start to subside. Acute withdrawals will usually end within 2 weeks.

    An estimated 10-15% of people who take benzodiazepines for an extended period of time will go through post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), also called protracted withdrawal.

    PAWS symptoms happen after the benzos have completely left your system. They are largely psychological and cognitive. The timeline for PAWS is not exact. Symptoms most often come in waves and can take place months or even years after you’ve stopped taking benzodiazepines.

    Typical symptoms of PAWS include:

    • Brain fog or difficulty thinking things through
    • Irritability, aggression, or hostility
    • Trouble focusing
    • Poor memory
    • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and vivid dreams
    • Cravings for benzos
    • Low enthusiasm or a general sense of apathy
    • Poor impulse control
    • Anxiety or depression
    • Intense mood swings
    • Sensitivity to stress
    • Trouble with fine motor skills

    PAWS symptoms typically don’t occur until after detox. However, Real Recovery Solutions offers additional treatment services meant to support you in long-term recovery.

    Dangers of At-Home Benzodiazepine Detox

    In most cases, the vast majority of benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms aren’t life-threatening. However, there are certain, more severe symptoms that can be extremely dangerous.This is why you need to get proper, professional medical support when going off of benzos.

    5 symptoms that benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause in severe cases include:

    1. Hallucinations
    2. Delusions
    3. Seizures
    4. Psychosis or psychotic reactions
    5. Suicidal ideation

    The cravings associated with withdrawal also pose another risk, namely the potential for overdose. Cravings can drive you to begin taking benzos again. If you begin at your usual dose, and your tolerance has waned, then you risk taking more than your body can handle and experiencing an overdose. An overdose is an immediate medical emergency. If you believe you or someone you’re with is overdosing, call 911 immediately.

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    Treatment After Detox in Tampa

    At Real Recovery Solutions, treatment doesn’t end with detox. You have several options for continued treatment, each of which is designed to meet your unique needs.

    Our ongoing treatment options include:

    If you’re not sure what treatment option would best fit your needs, that’s okay. Give us a call, and one of our staff members will help you determine what course is right for you.

    Carlos Escobar, Clinical Director

    As the Clinical Director at Real Recovery Solutions, Carlos Escobar leverages over 15 years of experience in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, focusing on therapies like CBT and REBT to foster client self-understanding and acceptance. His commitment to innovative, personalized care aims to profoundly improve the lives of those battling addiction and related mental health challenges.

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    Treatment For Benzodiazepine Addiction At Real Recovery Solutions

    Benzodiazepine use disorder makes life complicated, and detoxing is a big step. We’re not saying it’s going to be easy, but it is worth it. 

    Whether you’re starting the benzo recovery process for the very first time, or you’re detoxing after a return to use, we understand the level of trust you’re putting in us, and we’re here to do everything we can as you begin this part of your journey.

    At Real Recovery Solutions, we’re proud to be the largest network of sober living homes in the state of Florida. If you’re ready to end your benzodiazepine use for good, we’re here to help you do it. We can take you all the way from detox to a year or more of sober living. Reach out today through our website or call us at 813-373-6762.

    Real People. Real Solutions. Real Results.