A 2014 case study reports that an individual experienced a rapid withdrawal from Xanax while taking high doses of niacin, vitamin C, and gamma aminobutyric acid. You may also benefit from talking with a family member or close friend. By Corinne O’Keefe OsbornCorinne Osborn is an award-winning health and wellness journalist with a background in substance abuse, sexual health, and psychology. To learn more about how you or a loved one could benefit from treatment for benzo addiction, contact FHE Health today. steven tyler injuries Withdrawal symptoms may vary from person to person, although there are some common symptoms.
To find another treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one. This helpline is answered by Legacy Healing Center, an addiction treatment provider with treatment facilities in California, Florida, Ohio, and New Jersey. If you’re looking for a detox program for yourself or a loved one who is addicted to benzodiazepines, we may be able to help.
Xanax is a short-acting drug, which means your body metabolizes it very quickly. Tapering Xanax is challenging because the amount of the drug in your system quickly goes up and down with each dose. To help you avoid these peaks and valleys, doctors often switch you from Xanax to a long-acting benzodiazepine such as Valium (diazepam).
What Psychological Support Looks Like
Some symptoms may appear without warning and can be a significant source of distress. Depending on your situation, your doctor may think it best to prescribe very small amounts of medication at a time. This will prevent you from altering the taper, but it might mean frequent trips to the pharmacy.
But if you remove the drug all at once, your brain doesn’t have enough time to prepare, and you can develop life-threatening symptoms like seizures. Experiencing rebound symptoms means the symptoms you had before taking benzodiazepines come back even stronger than before. If you take an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine, like alprazolam, or a long-acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam, it may take longer for withdrawal symptoms to appear. Read on to learn more about benzodiazepine withdrawal, including the whats in whippits signs, how long it lasts, and how to get support with tapering off safely. Benzo withdrawal symptoms can depend on the dosage and how long you have been taking them. Common symptoms include muscular pain, sleep problems, and mood changes.
- Read on to learn more about benzodiazepine withdrawal, including the signs, how long it lasts, and how to get support with tapering off safely.
- If you have a psychiatric condition that was managed by the benzodiazepines, you will need an alternative plan to manage your condition.
- Your doctor may also recommend transitioning to a long-acting benzo and slowly tapering off that.
- These drugs are habit-forming and can easily result in physical dependence.
- Benzodiazepines have a sedative effect because of how they work in your brain.
How To Safely Detox From Benzodiazepines
Dependence means that your body and mind feel like they can’t function without the input of a substance. As soon as you remove this substance from your system, the resulting period of benzo withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable. No one should attempt to get off benzo drugs without the supervision of a healthcare professional.
How Long Does Xanax Withdrawal Last?
At Healthgrades, our Editorial Team works hard to develop complete, objective and meaningful health information to help people choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care. what is drinker’s nose Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience. All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible. Doctors typically prescribe benzos for short-term relief from conditions such as anxiety.
About Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs: The Good and the Bad
It matters that people are able to recognize it and take steps to quit using benzos safely. More severe reactions or withdrawals may also be more likely when taking strong drugs either for long periods or alongside other types of medications. The main cause of the symptoms of benzo withdrawal is the sudden reduction of dopamine in the brain.
Benzodiazepines are unique because, in many cases, they’re prescribed to the people who become dependent on them. Benzo prescriptions are found in medicine cabinets across the country, and while having these medications in your home may seem normal, it’s not conducive to long-term abstinence. Withdrawal usually comes with powerful cravings, and willpower alone may not be enough to carry you through. Anyone experiencing troubling symptoms from withdrawal, such as suicidal thoughts or tendencies, should seek immediate medical care.
Protracted withdrawal, also known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), is a form of withdrawal that can extend beyond the acute detox period. Though therapy generally can’t address withdrawal symptoms specifically, it can help improve some symptoms, like anxiety and insomnia. If you experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms during your taper, your care team can help you explore options to address those symptoms and get relief.