Although the withdrawal symptoms for benzodiazepine addiction can be severe, completing rehab at a medical treatment facility is the safest way to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Benzodiazepines, often called “benzos,” are a commonly prescribed drug that is used to treat stress-related illnesses such as anxiety disorders and insomnia. Some people become dependent or addicted to these drugs through intentional misuse or by simply following a medical prescription. The intentional misuse of benzos can be more severe, as intense withdrawal symptoms can make it very difficult to reduce or eliminate dosage.
It’s important for people to know their options when it comes to benzodiazepine treatment and rehab. The Recovery Village can help people uncover the causes of their substance use disorder and learn how to cope with any co-occurring disorders that may be connected to their misuse of benzos.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment
When people build a dependence on benzodiazepines, seeking treatment is necessary to create a strong foundation for recovery. One of the first stages of benzodiazepine rehabilitation involves experiencing withdrawal, which is the body’s process of re-adjusting to no longer relying on the drug. At first, the body can react negatively to the absence of benzodiazepines because it relied on the drug to function properly.
Benzos are often prescribed to treat insomnia, seizures, epilepsy, and other mental health disorders. However, these issues can become “rebound effects” for certain benzos. A rebound effect is defined as a withdrawal symptom that was the original reason for taking the drug. In the case of benzodiazepines, people can experience severe sleeplessness, anxiety, panic attacks, or seizures during withdrawal. To prevent or mitigate these effects, it’s recommended people seek medical assistance so that doctors and nurses can monitor patients and supply symptom-blocking medications if needed.
Is Rehab Always Necessary For a Benzo Addiction?
Benzodiazepine rehab is an integral part of recovery from a substance use disorder. Addiction is a lifelong disease, but it can be managed in a safe and healthy manner long after the last dosage. Many people who previously suffered from substance use disorders, enrolled in rehab and learned how to cope with their illness. They now live free from addiction, in large part because they completed an extensive rehabilitation program that focuses on both physical and psychological recovery.
Benzos are often prescribed to people with a mental health disorder, and finding treatment for co-occurring disorders can be a complicated process. The Recovery Village specializes in treatment for people suffering from addiction and mental illness and strives to find healthy alternatives to managing both disorders.
Your Benzodiazepine Treatment Options
Someone struggling with addiction to benzodiazepines is recommended to seek professional treatment. However, this can be a challenge as people wonder what to specifically look for. Not every facility is the same, and treatment plans can vary within each rehabilitation center. The chosen facility should offer a full continuum of care and provide patients with a wide range of treatment options to ensure a fulfilling and effective program. These treatment options may include:
- Evaluation and diagnosis
- Building an individualized treatment plan
- Detox and withdrawal
- Inpatient and outpatient rehab
- One-on-one, group or family therapy sessions
- Aftercare or sober living
- Alternative therapy methods
Once people decide to seek treatment, the first step in the recovery process is to evaluate the level of care that is needed. The evaluation can also uncover any co-occurring disorders that need to be treated alongside their addiction.
After the patient assessment, detoxification allows the body to remove the drugs from the system, and withdrawal symptoms begin. These side effects typically begin 1-2 days after the last dose, and continues for 2-4 weeks or longer, but the complete duration of side effects varies from person to person. Once the body clears all traces of benzos from the system, the detoxification process is finished.
Finding a medical detox facility is the safest way to continue the rehab process since benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Attempting an at-home or rapid detox method could lead to relapse due to cravings during detox and in the following weeks. At The Recovery Village, patients can rely on trained staff to properly medicate if needed, and monitor withdrawal symptoms in a safe and comfortable environment.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is a likely step for people suffering from drug addiction. Inpatient rehabilitation provides an opportunity to leave potentially harmful influences or environments.
During inpatient rehabilitation, patients can interact with doctors, nurses, or therapists daily while living at a rehab facility. Patients may receive 24-hour care to address any co-occurring disorders or lingering withdrawal symptoms, including cravings that might persist after detox. Inpatient rehab often lasts between 30 and 45 days, but the length varies for each client.
Each client of The Recovery Village receives a nutrition plan and may have access to gyms, basketball and volleyball courts, yoga therapy sessions, and other activities, depending on which facility they attend. Additional aspects of inpatient addiction rehabilitation include:
- Comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning
- 24-hour medical care
- Medication management and withdrawal monitoring
- Individual and group therapy sessions
- Planning for outpatient treatment and aftercare planning
Inpatient rehab is one of the more intensive parts of the rehabilitation program. While this stage is not required — some patients elect to jump straight to outpatient rehab — it is recommended because it often leads to a stronger recovery.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient rehab for benzodiazepine addiction is quite similar to inpatient rehabilitation, but the client does not have to live full-time at a treatment center. Patients can live at home and resume day-to-day responsibilities, such as house chores or employment, or they can live with family or friends in a supportive environment.
Although patients do not stay at a facility, The Recovery Village continues treatment for benzodiazepine addiction during outpatient rehabilitation. This includes meeting with counselors in individual or group sessions, planning aftercare treatment, and continuing any medication to mitigate lingering withdrawal symptoms. The specific schedule depends on the individual needs of each patient. The Recovery Village strives to create unique treatment plans for each client and provide them with the necessary resources for their recovery.
Teletherapy
With advances in technology, online counseling and teletherapy services are becoming more common and effective forms of mental health treatment. Addiction treatments were once restricted to in-person meetings, but can now happen anytime and anywhere with a reliable internet connection.
The Recovery Village offers teletherapy treatment for those who are struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Individuals who register for our teletherapy services are matched with a licensed professional who meets with them regularly and guides them on the path to recovery.
The Treatment Process for Benzo Addiction
The rehab and treatment process is intended to not only detox the body from harmful substances but also to uncover the roots of addiction through counseling sessions and extensive assessments with trained medical staff. Drug addiction controls the lives of many people, and a lot of those people feel trapped since they also rely on the drug to treat anxiety, seizures, or other issues.
How Long is Benzodiazepine Treatment?
There is no clear answer to the question, “How long is benzodiazepine treatment?” People who become addicted to benzos vary in height, weight, age, and level of dosage consumed before beginning treatment. Treatment for their addiction can often take months if patients undergo all of the most common steps — detoxification, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, and aftercare — but some people may need fewer or more stages of care.
The recovery process from any drug is a lifelong process. Though recovery may be challenging, removing addictive substances is possible for people struggling with a substance use disorder. Regardless of how long treatment lasts, enrolling in a reputable rehab program is the first step in building a solid foundation to effectively continue recovery once treatment ends.
Paying for Benzodiazepine Rehab
The cost of benzodiazepine treatment and rehab varies based on the client’s needs. While many people hesitate to begin rehab due to the financial aspect, seeking the necessary medical treatment is important to begin recovery safely. Cutting corners on costs with an at-home or rapid detox program could be extremely dangerous, and in some cases, even deadly.
The Recovery Village offers payment plans to cover out-of-pocket costs that are not already handled by insurance coverage.
If you or a loved one suffers from benzodiazepine addiction, seek help immediately. A reputable treatment center can provide the medical resources needed to pursue a healthier life. Calling The Recovery Village is free and confidential, and speaking with a knowledgeable associate could be a life-changing decision.
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Brett, Jonathan, and Bridin Murnion. “Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.” Australian prescriber vol. 38, October 1, 2015. Accessed February 9, 2021.
Geneva: World Health Organization. “Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Manag[…]e in Closed Settings.” 2009. Accessed February 9, 2021.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.