Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

While they can quickly relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic, these drugs pose a high risk of dependence. In other words, your body may rely on benzodiazepines to function if you take them frequently and for more than a short period of time. The physical symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal can vary depending on the individual and the type of benzodiazepine used. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms while others may experience more severe symptoms. Common symptoms include muscle tension, tremors, headaches, digestive issues, and heart palpitations.

• Entering a medical detox program is often the initial step in managing benzodiazepine withdrawal.
• A minority of ICUs reported policies that addressed daily sedation interruption (17 ICUs, 43.6%), general sedation/analgesia (14 ICUs, 36%), sedation/analgesia weaning (8, 20.5%), and IWS 4 (10.3%).
• If any serious symptoms emerge such as signs of benzodiazepine overdose the best practice is to seek immediate help, which can include going to a local emergency room or contacting a doctor.
• The affects can range from dementia and intellectual functioning to debilitating conditions that require long-term care, even if a person has been sober for a period of time.
• Tips for managing withdrawal on your own may include various recommendations but seeking care and support from a medical provider will provide a greater chance at completing detox and working toward recovery.
• If you believe that you or a loved one may be overdosing on benzodiazepines or any other drugs, call 911 immediately.

Why Are Benzos So Dangerous?

People with benzodiazepine tolerance may take supratherapeutic doses because the recommended range no longer provides relief for their symptoms. The higher dose may help ease your symptoms, but it can also increase your risk of overdose and severe withdrawal benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. If you take benzodiazepines infrequently, such as once a week or once every few weeks to treat panic attacks, you can take them for a longer period of time. This is because inconsistent use doesn’t pose the same risk of dependence or withdrawal.

Benzo Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, & Treatment

In her report, Dr. Ashton explains that these symptoms observed in the first 50 patients were not the reasons for originally being prescribed benzodiazepines, but were the result of prolonged “therapeutic” use. Dr. Ashton’s observations illustrate that although originally prescribed benzodiazepines for disorders such as anxiety and depression; long term use actually “exacerbated” these disorders within the patients. If you are concerned about the risks involved in Xanax tapering for any reason, discuss these concerns with a doctor.

How Quickly Does Tolerance for Benzos Develop?

A minority of patients withdrawing from stimulants may become significantly distressed or agitated, presenting a danger to themselves or others. Keep in mind, these may alleviate the symptoms of bloating but likely won’t completely treat the source of the condition. A theory that’s becoming more prominent in the scientific community explores the connection between the stomach, the GI tract and the brain. It can be demonstrated through the concept of having a “gut feeling.” This is the sensation you sometimes get in your stomach about what’s right or wrong.

Signs You May Be Experiencing Benzo Withdrawal

Xanax is a high-potency drug, which makes its withdrawal symptoms more intense than symptoms of withdrawal from other types of benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam). Another way that people attempt to detox is by quitting “cold turkey,” which is when benzo use is cut off altogether. Stopping the drug so abruptly will cause a person to have very intense withdrawal symptoms that can occur very quickly. The purpose of this page is to help people understand the signs of benzo withdrawal, the timeline of withdrawal symptoms, and the most appropriate way to manage those symptoms. Having other health conditions alongside benzodiazepine use can impact withdrawal.

Alleviating Symptoms of Breakthrough Withdrawal

• Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be risky, so it is best to work with a doctor.
• Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be particularly dangerous and even life-threatening.
• Buspirone is a non-addictive drug that helps relieve anxiety, a symptom that is very closely tied with benzo detox.
• This supervised setting, usually within a hospital or specialized treatment facility, provides 24/7 medical care.
• Research showed that 40% of people taking benzos for longer than 6 months experienced moderate-to-severe withdrawal symptoms.

The history included information about prescription of gabapentinoids, antidepressants, opioids, and history of nicotine (including tobacco), alcohol and other drug use. A prospective, observational, one-day point prevalence study of opioid, sedation, and drug withdrawal practices in National Health Service, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ NHS UK ICUs. ICUs selected a one-day study period between June 1st and September 30th, 2021. Patients aged 18-years and older admitted to adult ICUs were eligible for inclusion. Patients were included if they received either parenteral opioids and/or sedatives in the 24-h prior to the data collection day.

What is the most important information I should know about Xanax withdrawal?

These ions change the neuron’s electrical charge, so it has to work much harder to activate and send signals. Among respondents whose symptoms lasted months or years, over half said caffeine or alcohol worsened their PAWS symptoms. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.

When they are removed, the brain may experience a rebound as GABA and dopamine levels decrease. Therefore, stopping a benzodiazepine medication suddenly without medical help is not recommended and could be dangerous. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants ” prescription medications that suppress brain activity related to anxiety, panic and stress.

Benzodiazepine Addiction: Symptoms & Signs of Dependence