There are many different situations under which a person could benefit from benzodiazepine addiction treatment or a benzodiazepine taper program. Benzodiazepine addiction can be dangerous, and quitting should always be done with the help of a doctor. For more information, contact True Life Center today at 858.202.1822.

Are Benzodiazepines Addictive?

Yes, they can be addictive. In fact, benzodiazepine addiction can be difficult to manage because these drugs are so frequently taken to relieve symptoms of anxiety. For people who want or need to stop using benzodiazepines, often that process involves treating an existing anxiety disorder in a more effective, healthier way.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction?

It can be difficult to tell when you or someone else has crossed the line from taking medicine to being addicted to a drug. This can be compounded by the fact that many symptoms of addiction can also be considered symptoms of the anxiety that the medicine is intended to treat. However, there are some things to look for that could indicate an addiction to benzodiazepines:

• Taking the medicine in ways other than how it is prescribed or taking other peoples’ medicine
• Frequently running out of medicine early
• Becoming anxious, upset, or even aggressive if the medicine is not available
• Hiding or lying about when or how often the medicine is being used
• Financial problems that could be related to buying pills
• Rebound symptoms from medication overuse, such as increased anxiety or sleep problems
• Being preoccupied with seeking medication or ‘doctor-shopping’ to get multiple prescriptions

What Is a Benzodiazepine Taper Program, and How Does It Help?

The process of eliminating the use of benzodiazepine medications can be complicated. People who have been using these medications for a period greater than one month should seek the assistance of a doctor or a benzodiazepine addiction treatment program. Unfortunately, there is a small risk of seizures when benzodiazepine use is stopped, so clients that want to stop taking these medications often make use of a taper program.

In a benzodiazepine taper program, the medication dosage slowly decreases over time. This allows clients to adjust to the lower dose a little bit at a time while also receiving therapy and counseling to learn new methods of managing their symptoms. Sometimes, clients will also be transitioned onto a longer-acting or more manageable medication to help them slowly discontinue their use of benzodiazepines. Clients may also be given other medications to help reduce the risk of seizures or other unwanted side effects.

Often, taper programs are part of a greater addiction treatment program that can help clients change their relationship with substances. In addition to medical management, these programs can include therapy, peer group counseling, wellness activities, and the development of healthier coping methods. This comprehensive approach is the best way for people who wish to stop using benzodiazepines to achieve lasting recovery.

True Life Center Can Help With Benzodiazepine Addiction

At True Life Center, we understand that addiction to benzodiazepines is a complicated issue that affects each of our clients differently. Our highly trained and caring staff are committed to walking with you as you start your journey to recovery. At our treatment center in San Diego, we offer an array of programs to help clients heal from addiction. Reach out to us today at 858.202.1822.

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At True Life Center, we provide a supportive environment staffed by caring addiction specialists and therapists to help people struggling with benzo abuse. Our benzo taper program gradually eases your use of benzo drugs while you are closely monitored to ensure your safety throughout the entire process. One of the best tools you have to overcome this type of addiction is knowledge about benzodiazepine abuse and addiction.

3 Things to Know About Benzodiazepine Abuse and Addiction

1. Dependency Is Often Inadvertent

Well-meaning but time-strapped physicians may inappropriately prescribe benzodiazepines to patients without first considering individual risk factors or warning of long-term consequences. Then these patients, who trust their doctor’s advice and are desperate to feel better, often take the medication faithfully and responsibly for years without questioning their use. Meanwhile, for an estimated 15 to 44 percent of benzodiazepine users, the body adapts to the drug so that physical dependence is developed. It may take missing a dose and experiencing the benzo withdrawal symptoms or verbalized concern from an attentive medical professional before the problem is even discovered.

2. Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous

Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Aches and pains
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Psychosis

The severity of symptoms depends largely on a patient’s medical history, physical condition, duration of use, and benzodiazepines dosage. In no instance, however, is quitting “cold turkey” a recommendation. The safest way to deal with a benzodiazepine addiction is to seek help from an addiction psychiatrist or medical professional. The most effective form of benzodiazepine addiction treatment is often a slow taper. A professional supervises the gradual reduction of benzodiazepine dosage to minimize symptoms.

3. There Are Alternative Treatment Options

While it is true that benzodiazepine abuse and addiction are a possibility, this drug can also provide a great deal of relief for the estimated 40 million American adults suffering from clinical anxiety. The drugs’ accessibility, relatively low price, and rapid results prevent many patients from considering alternative treatments. But while benzo use may effectively mask anxiety symptoms, research suggests it does nothing to cure anxiety and may actually worsen the condition. Anxiety is a complex mental health condition that affects every aspect of life, including the mind, body, and spirit. The most effective treatments for anxiety address those same aspects with a holistic approach that addresses the root cause of the illness.

If you are taking benzos because of clinical anxiety, our True Life Center team also offers anxiety disorder treatment as an alternative to medication. We provide options for this type of treatment, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder treatment
• OCD treatment
• Panic disorder treatment
• Social anxiety disorder treatment

The goal of these treatment programs is to help you build skills to deal with anxiety instead of using benzos. This type of holistic approach to treatment is why our programs are so effective.

Benzodiazepine Abuse Treatment at True Life Center

At True Life Center, we want to understand each patient’s unique story. This allows us to provide customized and comprehensive outpatient benzo addiction treatment. Our team of collaborative experts includes two full-time psychiatrists, as well as a full-time psychiatric nurse practitioner. This allows us to safely oversee benzodiazepine detox.

Some of our mental health treatment options at True Life Center include:

• Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP)
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Neurobiological integration approach
• Anxiety disorder treatment
• Trauma therapy
• Mood disorder treatment

If you’re unsure which of our mental health treatment options is right for you, don’t worry. Our True Life Center team will work with you to determine which of our programs is best for your health and well-being.

Overcome Benzo Abuse and Addiction at True Life Center

True Life Center is a proud provider of addiction treatment programs in California, and we are ready to support you with our San Diego benzo treatment program. Although it may not seem like it right now, recovery from this type of addiction is possible. You may need the comprehensive and compassionate care we provide in all of our San Diego treatment programs.

For more information about addiction or mental health treatment, please contact us. We are available to provide information, resources, and support. You can also call 858.202.1822 to speak with someone directly to retake control of your life from benzo abuse by contacting True Life Center.

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What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzos are drugs that have a sedating effect. Often, doctors may prescribe Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), or other benzos for insomnia or anxiety. However, people often misuse these drugs to take advantage of their relaxing, hypnotic effects.

The longer someone takes benzos, the higher a chance of dependency. Also, withdrawal symptoms will more likely occur in those who take these drugs for several months than those who temporarily use them. Benzo harm reduction starts with stopping the use of these drugs on a tapered schedule to prevent problems caused by use and minimize withdrawal.

The Dangers of Benzo Use  

Both short and long-term effects can occur from benzo use. For example, immediately after taking these drugs, the user will feel tired and have problems completing complex tasks. Additionally, other side effects of taking benzos include:

• Dizziness
• Slowed breathing
• Needing to take more to get the same effects
• Difficulty concentrating
• Confusion
• Overdose

If an overdose occurs, it is a medical emergency. Call 911 and tell the dispatcher that you suspect a benzo overdose. First responders should have a medication, flumazenil, to treat overdose from benzos. However, after an overdose, the person should seek benzo addiction treatment to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.

Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawing from benzos also causes problems. Some people may experience anxiety, sleeplessness, psychosis, muscle spasms, hypersensitivity, or seizures. Professional assistance with tapering off the drug can reduce these withdrawal symptoms. Plus, when getting benzo addiction treatment, you learn methods to break from your dependence on the drugs psychologically.

Benzo Addiction Treatment

Benzo harm reduction requires addiction treatment with experts who know how to help you stop these drugs. A benzo taper program will help ease your transition to sobriety. By customizing the tapering to suit your needs, you can enjoy the best treatment possible for your case.

When you slowly taper off these drugs, you can avoid the most serious side effects of stopping cold turkey. Plus, when you eventually stop taking these medications after completing the tapering program, you can eliminate benzo harm from your life.

Since all addictions have physical and mental components, treating them requires an integrated approach. Therefore, at True Life Center, we use our unique neurobiological integration (NBI) approach to address the mental issues that plague those with addiction while promoting lifelong mental health. Components of this include various treatment programs such as:

• Acute stress disorder treatment
• Anxiety disorder treatment program
• Bipolar disorder treatment
• Depression treatment program

By combining treatment for diagnosed mental health concerns and helping you through the physical effects of benzo withdrawal, our team at True Life Center can help you to feel in control of your recovery.

Connect with True Life Center for a Unique Approach to Benzo Addiction Treatment

If you have an addiction to benzodiazepines, you need help to lower the effects of these drugs. Benzo harm extends through the withdrawal period, too. Therefore, you will need extra support to keep you on track when you quit. Contact True Life Center to find out about our treatment options for addictions, mental health issues, and more. We have several means of treating those in our program to help them overcome their addiction and reduce the harm done to their body and mind from the drugs. Start your way on a healthier path today by calling True Life Center at 858.202.1822 or completing our secure online form.

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