Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that depress the central nervous system (CNS). They are primarily used to treat anxiety disorders and seizure conditions. Benzos might also be prescribed to treat insomnia and alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
There are different types of benzos, such as Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, and more. Each of these medications has similar effects, however, they might be used medicinally for different reasons. For example, Xanax is primarily used to treat anxiety while Ativan can be used for anxiety, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.
While benzos help manage many different conditions, they are also habit-forming. If you abuse benzos, you know that the effects can be incredibly addictive. You might experience a rush of euphoria, drowsiness, and memory lapses when abusing benzos.
If you or a loved one abuse benzodiazepines, you must avoid quitting cold turkey and attend a medical detox center instead. Benzo withdrawal can be incredibly dangerous, sometimes leading to seizures without medical assistance. Our benzodiazepine detox center in Charlotte, NC can provide medications to prevent serious symptoms of withdrawal and ease your cravings while supporting you through the detox process.
When you suffer from benzodiazepine addiction, your brain and body begin to rely on it to function properly. As a result, suddenly stopping the use of benzos will cause withdrawal symptoms. Without detox treatment services, benzo withdrawal can be fatal.
Benzo withdrawal can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Benzo withdrawal can cause seizures, so you should never quit cold turkey. Seizures are particularly common if you abuse high doses of benzos long-term. The detox process will help you overcome a physical dependency on benzos with a variety of treatments, including medical supervision and tapering medication.
Detox is only the first step in your recovery journey, which should include inpatient rehab, an outpatient treatment program, or a combination of both.
The goal of benzo detox is to help you overcome physical dependency in a safe and comfortable setting. Medical professionals will monitor your symptoms, prescribe medications, and keep you medically stable throughout the process. Overcoming substance abuse can be hard, but detox makes the initial stages of recovery much easier.
During benzo detox in Charlotte, you can expect the following:
The first step in detox is the intake process. The staff members will gather your medical history, insurance, or payment information, and have you sign medical release forms.
Once this is done, you will begin an initial assessment. You will be asked questions like:
This assessment will help the medical team draft an individualized detox plan based on your specific needs.
Acute withdrawal can cause a wide range of symptoms. When you are dealing with benzo withdrawal, you could experience dangerous symptoms like changes in heart rate, heart palpitations, and even seizures. To prevent a medical emergency from occurring, nurses will monitor your health consistently.
If there are any abnormalities in your vital signs, you will receive quick and effective treatments. This might include medications to manage blood pressure, IV fluids or vitamins, and more.
In addition to medical monitoring, doctors will prescribe medications to manage your withdrawal symptoms. This is how detox programs prevent you from experiencing severe symptoms like seizures.
Typically, benzo withdrawal is treated using other benzodiazepines. For example, if you were taking a short-acting benzodiazepine, your doctor would prescribe a long-acting one. Over time, your dose will be lowered until you are no longer experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.
Therapy starts on the first day of detox. During benzo detox, the goal of therapy is to help you adjust to the first phase of recovery. For example, your therapist might focus on helping you manage the psychological symptoms of withdrawal you are struggling with.
As your withdrawal symptoms subside, you might begin to delve into the root causes of your addiction. While detox does provide therapy, it is not intended to be used in place of inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment. The psychological support during detox is a stepping stone to help you prepare for further treatment in other programs.
Once you have overcome withdrawal, you will work with your doctor and therapist to create a treatment plan. As mentioned, detox is only the first step in recovery from addiction. Your therapist might recommend that you attend inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment, or a combination of both.
You will transition into your next treatment program immediately after your detox ends. Doing so ensures that you do not lose any momentum in your recovery journey.
If you or a loved one suffers from benzo addiction, it’s time to seek help. Benzo withdrawal can be incredibly challenging and even dangerous, making detox a vital step in the recovery process.
Contact Charlotte Detox Center today to learn more about the importance of benzo detox and get your recovery journey started.