What To Expect at a Benzodiazepine Detox Center in Lantana, FL

Embarking on a journey to overcome benzodiazepine addiction is a major step toward reclaiming control over your life. The path to recovery, however, often starts with the crucial but challenging detoxification process. Understanding what to expect during this time can help alleviate some of the anxiety and uncertainty.

At Archstone Behavioral Health, we’re committed to providing a safe and supportive environment to overcome benzodiazepine addiction with the utmost care and professionalism. Our approach to benzodiazepine detox in Lantana, FL, is designed to make these initial steps as comfortable and manageable as possible to set the stage for long-term wellness and recovery.

Benzodiazepine Addiction and Dependence

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed medicines. They’re also referred to as benzos, and they’re primarily used to treat anxiety as well as insomnia. Sometimes, they’re used as a seizure treatment or to treat other conditions related to the central nervous system.

Benzodiazepines include:

• Valium (diazepam)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Ativan (lorazepam)
• Klonopin (clonazepam)

These medicines work similarly—they enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) effects. By increasing the activity of this calming neurotransmitter, these drugs can help reduce anxiety and induce relaxation.

While very effective for short-term use, this drug class has a high potential for addiction and dependence.

Benzodiazepine dependence is when your body gets used to the drug’s presence. This leads to tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same effects and physical dependence. Over time, your brain relies on benzodiazepines to maintain a sense of normalcy.

Dependence leads to a range of withdrawal symptoms if someone stops using benzos suddenly or cuts back their dose.

The Risks of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

It’s important, whether it’s a benzodiazepine detox in Lantana or elsewhere, that you get professional help for withdrawal. 

Benzos induce significant changes in brain chemistry, and that, paired with the potential severity of withdrawal symptoms, makes it an especially dangerous process without care at a benzo detox center or under the supervision of medical professionals.

Rebound Symptoms

One of the main risks of benzodiazepine withdrawal is the potential for rebound symptoms. 

These are symptoms you were initially prescribed to treat, like anxiety and insomnia. They return with great intensity when you stop using benzos. 

Rebound symptoms can be distressing and make it hard to stop using the drug on your own.

Psychological Distress

Psychological benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be overwhelming. They may include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, depression and irritability. 

In some cases, withdrawal can lead to confusion, paranoia and hallucinations. The psychological effects can impact a person’s mental well-being and increase the risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

Withdrawal Duration

Unlike a lot of other substances, benzodiazepine withdrawal can be prolonged, and symptoms can last for weeks or even months. The extended period of discomfort can make it harder to stay committed to your recovery if you aren’t receiving appropriate medical care and support during the process.

Relapse Risk

Because of the severity and duration of benzo withdrawal symptoms, it can lead to relapse as you seek relief from the discomfort. 

The cycle of withdrawal and relapse can perpetuate addiction and make it harder to achieve long-term recovery.

Complications of Benzo Detox

There are risks of benzodiazepine detox that are severe compared to withdrawal from other substances, including:

• Seizures can occur as the brain adjusts to functioning without the drug. The sudden lack of the calming effect of benzodiazepines can lead to hyperexcitability in the nervous system and trigger seizures, which can be life-threatening if not properly managed.
• Psychiatric symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal can be severe.
• The stress of withdrawal can strain the cardiovascular system and lead to complications like high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.

Benzodiazepine Detox in Lantana 

Our treatment center is a benzo detox center that offers other care levels once you complete your detox program.

Medical detox at Archstone Behavioral Health is a carefully managed process to help you safely and comfortably withdraw from benzodiazepines under the close supervision of medical professionals.

Because of the complex, potentially dangerous nature of withdrawal from these substances, medical detox is especially beneficial.

Medical Detox Service and the Treatment Process

Some of the steps you might expect at our benzodiazepine detox in Lantana include:

• Comprehensive assessment: The detox process starts with an evaluation of your health, including your benzodiazepine use, medical history and any co-occurring substance use or mental health disorders. Our team can create a personalized detox plan tailored to your unique needs using the information from this assessment.
• Medical supervision: Throughout the detox process, individuals are monitored around the clock by healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and addiction specialists. Our team’s constant supervision ensures that any withdrawal symptoms or complications are addressed promptly.
• Medication management: To alleviate withdrawal discomfort and lower the risk of severe symptoms like seizures, medications may be given. We carefully select these, and they’re dosed to ease withdrawal, manage anxiety and prevent dangerous complications.  
• Symptom management: Other interventions used to manage withdrawal symptoms include hydration therapy and nutritional support, as well as techniques to help with anxiety and insomnia. Our goal during our benzodiazepine detox in Lantana is to make your process as comfortable as possible.
• Emotional and psychological support: Since emotional challenges come with benzo detox, we ensure that every person receives emotional support and physical care. Our counselors and therapists provide guidance and coping strategies.
• Safe, controlled environment: The detox environment at Archstone Behavioral Health is designed to be safe, serene and supportive. A controlled setting helps people feel secure as they’re going through detox, reducing the external stressors that tend to make withdrawal symptoms worse.

Completing a medical detox at Archstone Behavioral Health provides a foundation for your recovery journey. The safe, supportive environment combined with effective symptom management empowers you to begin your recovery. Once you complete detox, we can help you seamlessly transition into further treatment programs.

The continuity of care ensures you continue receiving the support and treatment needed to sustain long-term recovery.

Reach out to our team to learn more about our benzodiazepine detox in Lantana as well as our other addiction treatment programs, whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one addicted to benzos. 

References:

1. National Institute of Health (NIH): Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence
2. NIH: Experiences with benzodiazepine use, tapering, and discontinuation: an Internet survey
3. NIH: The benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome