Paxipam Addiction and Abuse

Paxipam was a benzodiazepine with a risk of abuse, dependence and addiction. This drug has been discontinued, so any Paxipam you encounter is long-expired or counterfeit.

Paxipam, also known by its generic name halazepam, was a brand name benzodiazepine, or “benzo.” All benzodiazepines are classified as Schedule IV drugs in the United States as they can be habit-forming and have a potential for abuse. Halazepam is no longer available in either its brand or generic forms. For this reason, any halazepam you encounter is likely to be either long-expired or counterfeit.

Paxipam Addiction

Benzos like Paxipam are often abused because of the calming effects that the drug has on the brain. All benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that depresses the central nervous system, relieving anxiety. The effects may be beneficial short-term but carry risks with short-term and long-term use.

When the brain is repeatedly exposed to the effects of a benzo, it changes its chemistry to adapt to the drug’s presence. In turn, the brain becomes reliant on the benzo, and trying to cope with life without the benzo becomes increasingly difficult. That’s how addiction and dependence arise, resulting in compulsive, uncontrolled benzo use.

Signs, Symptoms & Side Effects of Abuse

Signs of addiction can emerge early when a person starts depending on a benzo like Paxipam to function. Benzos are linked to a variety of physical and psychological effects, including:

• Memory problems
• Changes in mood, including both relaxation and hostile behavior
• Irritability
• Vivid or troubling dreams
• Sleepiness

Other symptoms can be common to all drugs of abuse and can include:

• Withdrawing from social contacts
• Spending excessive time with new friends
• Ignoring once-pleasurable activities
• Irregular sleep habits
• Missing appointments or deadlines
• Having problems at work, school or with family
• Reckless behavior
• Legal troubles

Long-Term Consequences

Over time, abusing benzos like Paxipam can lead to lifestyle complications, adverse side effects and health concerns. This includes the risk of overdose, especially when multiple substances are taken together, like benzos and opioids.

Paxipam Overdose

Benzos like Paxipam have been implicated in many overdose deaths, especially when mixed with opioids. More than 30% of opioid deaths also involve benzos. A benzo overdose is a medical emergency and can be fatal. If you think someone is overdosing on a benzo, you should seek medical attention immediately: the opioid reversal agent naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, will not work on Paxipam or any other benzo.

Signs of a Paxipam overdose include:

• Severe drowsiness
• Confusion
• Coordination and reflex problems
• Slowed breathing
• Coma

Paxipam and Alcohol

Paxipam should never be mixed with alcohol. Because both benzos and alcohol are depressants, they can enhance each other’s side effects, leading to a dangerous slowing down of the central nervous system. Combining a benzo with alcohol or opioids can increase the risk of a serious outcome by up to 55%.

Paxipam Withdrawal & Detox

If you’ve been using a benzo like Paxipam for a long time and have become dependent, it is important to not stop cold turkey. Doing so can increase the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms. The best thing to do is talk to a doctor, who can advise you on the best ways to taper down your dosage. Tapering off a drug can help reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may switch you to a long-acting benzo and then taper the dose of that benzo.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Paxipam withdrawal can be complex, with symptoms that wax, wane and fluctuate. Possible symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Impaired concentration and memory
• Achy or tense muscles

In severe cases, people may experience psychosis, hallucinations or seizures in benzodiazepine withdrawal. Only undergo benzo detox under medical supervision.

Medical Detox

In medical detox, you are admitted to a professional facility to be weaned off Paxipam under 24/7 medical supervision. This minimizes the risk of severe symptoms like seizures, as they can be prevented or quickly treated. A medical detox program provides an opportunity for a safer, more comfortable benzo withdrawal experience.

Paxipam Addiction Treatment

The general objective of any benzo treatment program is to help people stop relying on benzo to face life, so therapy plays a big role in benzo addiction treatment. This can include individual and group therapy.

Benzo addiction treatment and rehabilitation can occur in many different settings. These can include:

• Inpatient rehab, where you put outside life on pause and live at the facility while getting treatment for your benzo addiction
• Outpatient rehab, where you live at home and participate in therapy at the facility either in person or via teletherapy
• Aftercare, which is a lifelong process that starts after rehab is complete, including support groups and relapse prevention plans so you can continue a benzo-free life

Choosing an Addiction Rehab Center

Top facilities will usually offer medical detox, then a seamless transition into the actual addiction treatment. It’s also important to address co-occurring mental health disorders. Sometimes, people take benzos like Paxipam to self-medicate an underlying mental health issue. These underlying mental health issues must be fully addressed and treated to increase the chances of a successful Paxipam rehab experience.

An effective addiction treatment and rehab program should be individualized. There is no one specific, universal approach that works well for all people struggling with Paxipam. An individualized program focuses on you as a whole person. You work with your addiction care team to create relationships and bonds. An individualized Paxipam addiction treatment plan is also fluid and can evolve as your needs change.

Recovering from a benzo addiction is possible, even if it’s to a discontinued drug, such as Paxipam. With help, many people recover and go on to live fulfilling lives. The Recovery Village is here to help you start your benzo-free life. Contact us today to discuss treatment options that may work well for you.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

• Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
• The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
• The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
• The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
• The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
• IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
• Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
• The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
• The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
• The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
• The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD

Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more