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BENZODIAZEPINES:WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU

https://roots-recovery.com/

4 Benzodiazepine Addiction

8 Xanax Withdrawal Symptoms

11 Professional Help for Benzo Withdrawal is Essential for Success

15 Relapse Prevention During Klonopin Withdrawal

19 Benzo Buddies and Other Support Groups: Do They Help or Hurt?

23 Recovery is Possible

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTR

OD

UCT

ION

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that slow the central nervous system to produce a sense of

calm and well-being. Often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, benzodiazepines include

drugs like Xanax, Klonopin, Valium and Librium. Benzos work by increasing levels of the brain

chemical GABA, which inhibits nerve transmissions in the brain to produce feelings of relaxation.

Benzos also increase the activity of the dopamine system, which leads to feelings of happiness and

euphoria.

When used as directed for the short-term, benzodiazepines are safe and effective. But when they’re

taken for non-medical purposes or in higher doses than prescribed, benzos can cause addiction and

dependence.

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BENZODIAZEPINE ADDICTION

Addiction is characterized by the inability to stop using a drug

even though it’s causing problems in your life. A variety of

issues underlie most addictions and require therapy to work

through and resolve.

Dependence is different from addiction and is

characterized by withdrawal symptoms that set

in when you stop using a drug.



HOW DEPENDENCE DEVELOPS

When you abuse benzodiazepines, your brain changes the way it

functions in order to compensate for the presence of the drug. For

example, since benzos increase dopamine and GABA activity, the

brain will reduce the activity of these neurotransmitters in an attempt

to normalize brain function.

This leads to tolerance, which means that you need increasingly larger

doses to get the desired effects. But as you increase your benzo

intake, the brain continues to change its function to compensate.

At some point, brain function may shift so that the brain now operates

more comfortably when benzos are present than when they’re not.

Then, when you stop using the drug, normal brain function rebounds,

causing withdrawal symptoms. Benzo withdrawal is uncomfortable,

and it can be dangerous.

According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the

University of Maryland, dependence most often develops in those

who have used benzodiazepines for six months or more.1



TREATING BENZO DEPENDENCE

Medical detox helps individuals end a

dependence. During detox, the drug is withheld

so that traces can leave the body and brain

function can begin to return to normal. Medical

detox is supervised by medical and mental health

professionals who administer medications to

reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.

However, due to the potentially dangerous side

effects of benzo withdrawal and the fact that no

medications have been approved by the FDA to

treat them, withdrawing from benzodiazepines

should be a matter of decreasing the dosage

over time to prevent the onset of dangerous

symptoms.



XANAX WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Xanax is a benzodiazepine with high potency, and it’s one of the most

commonly prescribed and abused benzodiazepines. While all benzos

generally produce the same effects and have the same withdrawal

symptoms, different types have different potencies that can affect the

intensity of symptoms and how long Xanax withdrawal symptoms last.

Xanax is a short-acting benzodiazepine, so when you stop taking it,

Xanax withdrawal symptoms set in within one or two days after the

last dose. Xanax withdrawal symptoms can last for as few as two

weeks or as many as four weeks. In some cases, symptoms can

persist even longer.

The severity of Xanax withdrawal symptoms and the duration of

withdrawal typically depend on the dosage you’ve been taking, how

long you’ve been dependent and other factors like your age and your

general state of health.

XANAX WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

• Intense cravings

• Anxiety or panic attacks

• Tremors

• Headache

• Nausea

• Insomnia

• Restlessness

• Agitation or irritability

• Poor concentration

• Memory problems

• Muscle aches



During detox, dangerous Xanax withdrawal symptoms may occur,

including seizures and dangerous shifts in heart rate and blood pressure,

according to an article published in the journal American Family

Physician.2 For this reason, the safest way to manage Xanax withdrawal

symptoms is to gradually decrease the dosage.

The best way to do this is to base the length of time between each

dose reduction on the presence and severity of Xanax withdrawal

symptoms. The longer the interval between dose reductions, the safer

and more comfortable withdrawal will be. In general, there should

be at least a week between reductions. Benzo withdrawal symptoms

can fluctuate, but if symptoms worsen, a higher dose probably won’t

be given in order to relieve them. Rather, you’ll likely be kept on the

current dose until the symptoms subside and then continue with the

reduction schedule.



PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR BENZO WITHDRAWAL IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS

Trying to go through benzo withdrawal on your own can

quickly lead back to heavy use if only to alleviate the

discomfort of the withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, since

benzo withdrawal can be dangerous or even fatal in some

circumstances, getting professional help is essential for your

safety and well-being.

Benzo withdrawal can take place through an inpatient or

outpatient medical detox program.



INPATIENT DETOX

Inpatient detox involves living at a facility while

going through benzo withdrawal. Inpatient

medical detox offers a high level of medical and

moral support from staff and peers. Inpatient

treatment is particularly important for severe

benzo withdrawal or for those who have been

through detox before.

During inpatient detox for benzo withdrawal,

medical and mental health professionals will

monitor your condition regularly and administer

doses of benzodiazepines on a set schedule.

Benefits of inpatient detox include the emotional

support it offers and its supervised nature, which

helps prevent relapse.



OUTPATIENT DETOX

Outpatient detox for benzo withdrawal involves meeting with a

physician at a clinic on a regular basis to evaluate your condition

and manage the reduction schedule. You’ll be asked to contact the

program if you experience certain benzo withdrawal symptoms that

could turn dangerous.

During outpatient detox, you’ll reduce your dose according to

the schedule developed by your physician. The schedule for dose

reduction may be longer for outpatient detox than for inpatient detox,

since the shorter the reduction intervals, the more intense benzo

withdrawal may be.

Benefits of outpatient detox include a higher level of privacy and the

ability to continue working, caring for the family or attending school

while undergoing detox. Outpatient detox is best for people who have

a high level of intrinsic motivation to stop using benzos and who have

plenty of support at home.



RELAPSE PREVENTION DURING KLONOPIN WITHDRAWAL

Klonopin is a long-acting benzodiazepine, which means that

Klonopin withdrawal will typically start between two and

seven days after the last dose and may last for eight weeks

or longer. Because symptoms may last longer with long-

acting benzos, you may be at a higher risk of relapse during

Klonopin withdrawal.

Cravings and stress are major triggers for relapse, and coping

with these and other triggers during Klonopin withdrawal

and withdrawal from other benzodiazepines is essential for

getting through detox successfully.



DETOX IS NOT ADDICTION TREATMENT

It’s important to understand that detoxing from benzodiazepines

is not the same thing as being treated for an addiction to them.

Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug use despite the

negative consequences they cause for your health, finances, legal

status and relationships. Addiction almost always has underlying

causes that must be addressed in order to successfully beat the

addiction for the long-term. Getting off benzos for good also depends

on developing essential skills and strategies that help you cope with

stress, negative emotions, cravings and other triggers.

Therapy during Klonopin withdrawal helps you develop essential

relapse prevention skills, and it’s a crucial factor in ending an

addiction to Klonopin or another benzodiazepine medication.



THREE RELAPSE PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR KLONOPIN WITHDRAWAL

Some relapse prevention skills you can practice during Klonopin withdrawal include:

Urge surfing. When you have a craving during Klonopin withdrawal, it’s important to understand that the

craving is temporary. Most cravings last 20 minutes to a half hour. You can reduce the intensity of the craving

by acknowledging it and mentally riding it like a wave until it peaks and then fades.

Meditating. Regular meditation practice reduces stress, which is a major factor for relapse. Meditation

changes the structures of the brain and reduces anxiety, depression, pain and other psychological stressors,

according to Harvard Medical School.3

Exercising. Exercise during Klonopin withdrawal can improve your mood, reduce stress, increase your sense

of well-being and reduce cravings. Regular exercise is an important part of addiction recovery and goes a

long way toward helping you restore good physical and mental health after an addiction.



BENZO BUDDIES AND OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS: DO THEY HELP OR HURT?

Benzo Buddies is a popular online support group for people

going through benzo withdrawal. While many people find

Benzo Buddies helpful, others have found it and similar

websites to be more harmful than beneficial.

Because Benzo Buddies is privately run, many users complain

that their posts are censored or deleted. Additionally, while

Benzo Buddies puts an emphasis on staying positive, many

users share harrowing stories that can trigger some users.

A number of Benzo Buddies participants report that the

overall tone of the group is judgmental and can border on

abusive. An overarching theme on Benzo Buddies is that

seeking medical or other professional help for ending a

dependence on benzos is unnecessary, and it’s even frowned

upon. Some members of this forum dispense medical advice

while discouraging seeking the help of a professional.



Most people who have an addiction need professional help to

overcome it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

NIDA also stresses that good intentions and willpower are rarely

enough to send an addiction into remission for the long-term.4

Quitting taking benzodizapines is only part of the battle. The rest of

the battle is identifying and changing self-destructive thought and

behavior patterns, getting mental illnesses like anxiety and depression

under control and developing the skills you need for successful

ongoing abstinence.



Although Benzo Buddies and other privately run

forums don’t offer the type or level of support

many people need, support groups in general can

be enormously helpful for ending dependence and

addiction for the long-term. In fact, support from

family, friends and others in recovery is one of

the pillars of recovery, according to the Substance

Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.5

But choosing a high-quality, well-moderated

support group is essential for getting the best level

of moral support and the most sound advice.

Well-known and reputable support groups for

addiction include Narcotics Anonymous, SMART

Recovery and, for those with a co-occurring

mental illness, Dual Recovery Anonymous. These

groups are recommended by the Substance

Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

and offer both in-person and online meetings

and provide quality moderation and facilitation.



RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE

Benzo withdrawal doesn’t have to be miserable or

dangerous, and you don’t have to be a slave to your addiction

any longer. Detox and addiction treatment lead to successful

recovery and a higher quality of life and well-being. Seek

professional help today if you or someone you love is

struggling with benzodiazepine addiction.



1. Benzodiazepines. (2013, October 29). Retrieved from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/benzos.asp

2. Longo, L. P., & Johnson, B. (2000, April 1). Addiction: Part 1. Benzodiazepines—Side Effects, Abuse Risk and Alternatives.

American Family Physician, 61(7), 2121-2128. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2121.html

3. Corliss, J. (2014, January 8). Mindfulness Meditation May Ease Anxiety, Mental Stress.

Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967

4. Understanding Drug Use and Addiction. (2016, August).

Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction

5. SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery: 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery. (2012).

Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/PEP12-RECDEF/PEP12-RECDEF.pdf

SOURCES


http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/benzos.asp

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0401/p2121.html

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-2014010869

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction

https://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/PEP12-RECDEF/PEP12-RECDEF.pdf


EMBRACE YOUR RECOVERY

REDISCOVER YOURSELF

Roots Through Recovery is dedicated to providing outpatient addiction treatment

solutions for people to reclaim their lives and create their own path of recovery.

844-904-7114

roots-recovery.com



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