Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

With the severity of the opioid addiction epidemic raging, there’s another epidemic going on quietly in the background. Benzodiazepine addiction is another serious problem throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16% of deaths due to opioid overdose in 2019 also involved benzodiazepines.

They differ from prescription painkillers in their medical use but share a similar potential for addiction. Much like opioids, benzodiazepines provide a similar euphoric high when abused. Continue reading to learn more about benzodiazepines and how to find benzodiazepine addiction treatment.

Benzodiazepines are prescription medications used to treat conditions including anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. These medications interact with the central nervous system to essentially slow down communication between the brain and body. Some of the types of benzodiazepines in use today include: 

Benzodiazepines are highly effective at providing relief and relaxation to people who use them as prescribed. At the same time, experts recommend use for only short-term periods. They have a high potential for abuse and addiction, especially when used for a long time. Because benzodiazepines are such powerful medications, even prescribed use comes with some risks.

Benzodiazepines are never recommended for long-term use, even with a prescription, because benzodiazepines are addictive. The toxic, powerful effects of these medications can quickly lead to tolerance or dependence. An estimated 1.8% of the population in the U.S. ages 12 and older, or 4.8 million people, reported misusing benzodiazepines in the last year.

Additionally, many people seek out these drugs for recreational use. They chase the intoxicating, euphoric high that the drug provides. As their use progresses, drugs become more important than anything else in their lives. Once benzodiazepine use disorder develops, professional help is often required.

People who abuse benzodiazepines for a long period develop a tolerance for the medication. This means they need to take more to achieve the effects they’re looking for. They may also develop physical or psychological dependence if they use it for long enough. Dependence means they need to use the drug to function effectively.

Once someone reaches this point in their use, they’ll experience benzodiazepine addiction withdrawal when they try to stop. Removing the substance from their system causes withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms occur when a person’s body adapts to the presence of the drug and depends on it to work normally. 

Effects of benzodiazepine addiction withdrawal include:

Because of the severity of some benzodiazepine addiction withdrawal symptoms, it’s best to seek professional help once an addiction develops. 

Treating benzodiazepine is best done at a specialized addiction treatment facility. Treatment facilities understand the complex condition of addiction and know how to provide the most effective care possible.

There are three main levels of care when treating benzodiazepine addiction: medical detox, inpatient treatment, and intensive outpatient. Each level of care addresses a specific need and prepares newly sober people for living without needing to use drugs or alcohol.

Treatment for benzodiazepine addiction typically starts with medical detox. Medical detox exists to safely separate people from all substances in their system during the first few days of treatment. Many detox facilities also manage withdrawal symptoms with the use of medication-assisted treatment. This involves using different types of meds to relieve discomfort and reduce cravings during the detox process.

Inpatient treatment is the main portion of the treatment process. Also called residential treatment, inpatient provides 24-hour care in a recovery-focused environment. Clients attend programming during the daytime, including individual counseling, group therapy, and other experiential therapeutic approaches. They reside in the facility or a nearby off-site location in the evenings, depending on the facility. Inpatient treatment typically lasts between 30 and 90 days.

Intensive outpatient programs are the final stage of benzodiazepine addiction treatment. It acts as a transition period between the treatment environment and returning home to the real world. Intensive outpatient programs provide around 3 hours of treatment, 3 to 5 days per week. This allows clients the additional time to return to school, look for a job, or begin taking care of other responsibilities while still receiving consistent support for their sobriety.

If you’re looking for help, Hawaii Island Recovery is the premier provider of benzodiazepine addiction treatment in Hawaii. Located on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii, we provide an individualized approach to treatment that lets you focus on your recovery in one of the most peaceful places in the world. 

Whether this is your first time seeking treatment or you’ve been to a program before, Hawaii Island Recovery can help. We take an individualized approach for each person who comes into our care. To learn more, reach out and speak with an admissions counselor at 877-721-3556 today!

At Hawaii Island Recovery, recovery from benzo addiction begins with a medically supervised detox. This will minimize withdrawal symptoms and support a safe and successful start to recovery. Then, you or your loved one will benefit from our multi-disciplinary, integrative treatment approach. We combine the most effective evidence-based interventions (such as CBT and EMDR) with experiential and holistic therapies (such as Ocean-based therapy and massage). These therapies are administered within the framework of a 12-step program to give you or your loved ones the tools you need for a full and lasting recovery.