The timeline of benzo withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. During the benzo withdrawal symptoms timeline, some people experience physical symptoms within hours or days after taking benzos. Other people may not feel any effects until weeks later. It’s important to understand what you can expect during your benzo detoxification process, so you can adequately prepare.
What are Benzos?
Benzos are a class of drugs that includes benzodiazepines and barbiturates. The most common benzos include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ambien (zolpidem). These medications are prescribed for anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, muscle spasms, migraines, panic attacks, and other conditions.
Benzos are highly addictive. They have been found to be more addictive than cocaine, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, methadone, and hydrocodone. When taken regularly over time, benzos can cause tolerance and dependence. This means that you will need higher doses of benzos to get high. Tolerance also makes it harder to stop using benzos once you begin abusing them.
In addition to being addictive, benzos are also very dangerous. In fact, they’re one of the top 10 prescription drugs abused by teens. They are so dangerous that the FDA required new labeling on all prescribed benzos. They can lead to memory loss, confusion, aggression, psychosis, seizures, coma, and death. People who take benzos long-term often develop an addiction to them. Some benzos are even used as date rape drugs because they make users drowsy and less likely to fight back.
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What are the Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms?
Benzo withdrawal symptoms include many different types of problems. While each individual experiences benzo withdrawal differently, there are certain patterns of symptoms that tend to occur. When you withdraw from benzos, you’ll probably experience at least some of the following physical effects:
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Increased Appetite
- Weight Gain
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Additionally, you might experience psychological effects of benzo withdrawal including:
- Mood Swings
- Memory Loss
- Forgetfulness
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Aggressiveness
- Impulsivity
- Suicidal Thoughts
These symptoms usually last anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. However, they can persist longer depending on your overall health and level of stress.
What Is the Timeline of Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms?
Benzo withdrawal symptoms persist for about three weeks after you quit taking benzos. This estimate is not meant to replace professional treatment or advice. The length of time for each symptom depends on several factors including your age, gender, medication dosage, and other medications you may be taking. If you’re withdrawing from benzos slowly, it is safer than if you stop abruptly. This is why it’s important to taper off gradually instead of stopping cold turkey. It is always advised to detox from benzos at a proper detox facility.
If you have been abusing benzos for a while, you may experience withdrawal symptoms for much longer, with greater impact, than someone who has just started using them.
How to Overcome Benzo Addiction
If you want to overcome benzo addiction, you must first understand what causes it. Once you know why you started taking benzos in the first place, you can work toward overcoming your addiction.
Here’s a list of things that may contribute to benzo addiction:
- Family history of substance abuse
- Stressful life events
- Poor coping skills
- Low self-esteem
- A lack of support system
- A history of trauma or abuse
- Treatment for other mental disorders
- Prescription drug use
It is important to seek help for benzo addiction at a reputable drug rehab center.
Recover From Benzo Addiction in Knoxville, TN
Are Benzos Addictive? Yes, Benzodiazepines are extremely addictive. You may feel as though you cannot live without them because they provide such an intense feeling of calmness. If you don’t take them, you will start to feel anxious, nervous, and agitated. Abusing them though brings even more problems. You will need help to recover from your benzo addiction. Get help with benzo addiction by giving us a call or using our contact form today.