Best Benzo Detox Center For Benzodiazepine Detox

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that depress the activity of the central nervous system. Valium, Xanax, and Rohypnol (a/k/a “roofies”) are all forms of benzodiazepines. They are commonly prescribed to treat severe anxiety and other psychological disorders. Certain forms of benzodiazepines create an amnesiac effect, in which the user will have no memories of events that occurred while he or she was under the drug’s influence. This class of drug also has a long half-life within a user’s body and metabolism and as a result, benzodiazepine detoxification can stretch for several days or weeks. Psychological dependence or addiction to benzodiazepines can occur after as little as six weeks of regular usage of the drug, necessitating a period of withdrawal and rehab while the user’s body re-adjusts to life without benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepine Detox

Rapid benzo detox may endanger an addict’s health through severe seizures and other strong adverse reactions. Acute withdrawal symptoms include sleep disruptions, anxiety, mood swings, and low energy levels. These symptoms can last for several months or more. To prevent these symptom, a physician will often prefer to wean an addict or dependent from benzodiazepine use over a period of time that is a function of how long the individual has used the drug and other factors. This weaning typically takes place simultaneously with behavior modification and other therapy. If (as is not uncommon) an individual is in treatment for other psychological disorders, the therapist or treating physician will need to address and monitor those disorders during the withdrawal and detox phases.Continued use of benzodiazepines over a long period of time can have effects that are contrary to the drug’s therapeutic indications. Over time, benzodiazepine users will begin to experience greater levels of anxiety and sleep disruption. Individuals who are prone to depression can suffer from even deeper episodes of depression. These symptoms can induce a benzodiazepine user to seek larger and more frequent doses of the drug, fostering a perfect situation for psychological dependence or addiction and making detox that much more challenging for a treating physician or therapist.

Long Term Effects of Benzodiazepines

The long-term effects of benzodiazepine use are not fully understood, although researchers believe that long-term cognitive impairment can result from that use. Cognitive impairment, including reduced problem solving abilities and concentration, has been observed for up to six months after stopping all use of benzodiazepines. In spite of these issues, this class of drugs is still widely prescribed, but prescribing physicians are generally attempting to restrict the drug’s use to shorter period of time, usually encompassing a maximum of two or three weeks.During a detox period, a treating physician or therapist should monitor a former addict’s progress at least monthly for up to two years. Benzodiazepines are prescribed to address deep-seated psychological issues, and those issues will not disappear when the addict stops using the drug. An alternate pharmaceutical treatment and regular counseling and behavioral therapy may be needed to complete a successful benzodiazepine detox.

Benzodiazepines are powerful and effective drugs, but like many useful drugs they pose a risk of physical dependence or addiction. If you are a regular user of benzodiazepines and would like more information on how to end that use, please call the counselors and therapists at the Last Resort Recovery Center (near Austin, Texas) at 512-360-3600. We are experienced in all methods of benzodiazepine detox and we can help you to wean yourself from this drug with a minimum of disruptions to your life and health.