Withdrawing from Benzodiazepines: Symptoms, Safety, and Treatment

Not everyone who has taken a benzodiazepine prescription needs detox assistance — most people Alcoholics Anonymous who follow their doctor’s directions for usage don’t. If you are taking more than prescribed, however, it may be time to get some additional help. If you’ve used benzos for several years or used a significant dosage of them for several months, medical detox can be necessary.

Care at Cleveland Clinic

Medical comorbidities, particularly liver disease, cardiovascular conditions, and malnutrition, exacerbate the risks of alcohol withdrawal. For instance, cirrhosis impairs the liver’s ability to metabolize toxins, prolonging the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Similarly, hypertension or arrhythmias can be destabilized by the autonomic hyperactivity seen in withdrawal, increasing the risk of stroke or myocardial infarction.

Patient taking high doses of benzodiazepines or who are users of illicit drugs (polydrug users)

• Short-acting benzodiazepines, like triazolam, pass quickly through the body, so you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms sooner — sometimes within a matter of hours.
• Detox facilities, on the other hand, specialize in structured withdrawal management but must remain vigilant for atypical presentations or rapid deterioration.

Ignoring this risk factor can lead to life-threatening outcomes, as repeated withdrawal episodes sensitize the central nervous system, amplifying its hyperactive response. Benzodiazepines are also often prescribed to help manage adverse reactions brought on by other prescription medications, such as anti-depressants, steroids, and antibiotics. While they offer short-term solutions, they can often lead to long-term pain and suffering, as well as life-limiting and, at times, fatal outcomes.

Peak Phase: Acute Withdrawal

Research showed that 40% of people taking benzos for longer than 6 months experienced moderate-to-severe withdrawal symptoms. 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. Benzo withdrawal symptoms occur because this drug creates a high level of dependency in the user.

Addiction Treatment

If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The CIWA-Ar offers a comprehensive, nuanced assessment but requires more time and patient cooperation. The SOWS, on the other hand, is quicker and relies on observable signs, making it https://ecosoberhouse.com/ suitable for non-verbal or uncooperative patients. For example, in an emergency department, the SOWS might be preferred for rapid triage, while the CIWA-Ar could be used in a dedicated detox unit for detailed monitoring. The following are typical timelines for the symptoms of withdrawal to subside in benzodiazepine recovery 14.

Mental Health Treatment

Benzodiazepines have a sedative effect because of how they work in your brain. These drugs mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA acts as a sort of speed bump that helps all the other chemical messengers travel through your brain at a reasonable pace. They can range in severity, though for some people, they remain mild and manageable. There are particularly compelling reasons benzo withdrawal timeline why older people should withdraw from benzodiazepines since, as age advances, they become more prone to falls and fractures, confusion, memory loss and psychiatric problems (see Chapter 1).