Are Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Life-Threatening?
Are you considering quitting Benzos? Maybe you’ve already made the decision but are worried about potential withdrawal symptoms. Everyone’s experience with benzodiazepine withdrawal is different. But there is one thing everyone has in common – and that’s the fear of potentially life-threatening complications from withdrawal.
It’s important to understand that, while benzo withdrawal can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, it does not typically pose serious health risks. That said, if withdrawals are left untreated or managed incorrectly, serious complications can arise. So, let’s dive in to find out whether Benzo's withdrawal is life-threatening.
What are Benzodiazepines?
These are a type of medication used in the treatment of panic disorders, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. These medications work by targeting the brain’s gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, which help minimize feelings of worry. The most commonly prescribed benzo medications are Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin. Others include Ativan, Librium, and Restoril.
Signs of Benzodiazepine Abuse
You may know that benzodiazepines can be abused, and the signs may look different from other substances. Some of the signs of benzodiazepine misuse include:
Changes in mood
Benzos can make someone irritable, light-headed, or euphoric – so if you notice any personality shift in someone who’s using Benzo, that could be a sign of abuse.
Increased Tolerance
When someone forms a higher tolerance to benzos, they could need increasingly larger doses to get the same effects. This can put them at a risk for overdose if they take too much.
Physical Issues
Having slurred speech and trouble sleeping are two physical issues that can occur with the long-term use of Benzo. It’s important to watch for these signs and take them seriously.
Taking them Without Prescription
If someone isn’t taking the benzos prescribed, that’s a sign of abuse. This is especially true if they’re getting multiple prescriptions from different doctors or buying them illegally online.
Withdrawal from benzos can be life-threatening and is best done under medical supervision. So it’s essential to be aware of what signs to look out for when it comes to abuse of these medications.
Signs of Benzo Overdose
An overdose refers to the amount of drug more than what is prescribed. It happens when the levels of substance build up quicker than the body can eliminate. Understanding the manifestations of an overdose can be a game changer; knowing between life and death. Understanding the symptoms can help in seeking emergency, and minimizing the chances of serious complications. So, what are the signs of an overdose?
Muscle tremor
Stopped or slowed respiration
Slowed heart rate
Extreme drowsiness
Dizziness
Double or blurred vision
Low blood pressure
Stomach upset
Lack of coordination
Confusion
Bluish tip to lips and fingernails
Incoherent or slurred speech
When a client suddenly stops the use of benzodiazepines (Librium or Valium), the withdrawal symptoms take not more than 24 hours to manifest. But for Xanax, the onset time is between 10-12 hours.
Dangers of Stopping Benzodiazepines Abruptly
Many people think that because benzos have been prescribed, they must be safe to take them or increase the dosage, but doing so without medical advice is dangerous.
Doctors recommend tapering off the dosage of Benzo instead of stopping abruptly, as this is a safe way to do it. This helps avoid potentially life-threatening side effects like delirium and seizures, which can occur when stopping Benzo suddenly. Also, when tapering off gradually, withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and severe enough to keep people from completing their detox dosage.
Benzodiazepines Withdrawal Symptoms Phase
The symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the period of usage. Since withdrawal is fatal, unassisted quitting is not recommended. The phases include:
Early Withdrawal
This phase includes mild to moderate signs of insomnia and anxiety.
Acute Withdrawal
The onset of acute withdrawal commences once the benzo lefts the body. The emergence of new signs begins to take charge. These symptoms may vary from trouble concentrating to increased agitation and anxiety. Clients in this phase experience withdrawal-induced seizures.
It’s important to understand that the side effects are hazardous and fatal especially if the client attempts to use detox without expert knowledge. The clients are likely to run into problems with tongue swallowing, falling, or aspiration.
The clients in this phase have become hyper-paranoid and vigilant. They also suffer from other problems, such as migraines, tremors, and muscle pain.
Other symptoms are vomiting, heart palpitations, and hand trembling. To some extent, suicidal thoughts may begin to take charge.
Protracted Withdrawal
These are side effects arising as a result of quitting Benzo usage. They range from increased sleep problems and muscle twitches to mood swings and anxiety.
Is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Deadly?
If untreated, benzo withdrawal may be fatal. Withdrawing from Benzo may come with risks that need to be addressed as to whether it should be reduced or discontinued. Those at risk of experiencing the severity of withdrawal symptoms include:
People with physical health issues or psychiatric disorders.
People who misuse alcohol.
Individuals with a paternal history of alcohol use disorder.
The elderly.
People experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms or those who take an opioid.
Individuals with a history of seizures.
People who take sleep aids or other sedatives.
Can I Detox from Benzo?
Quitting Benzo's medication without any expert knowledge is deemed dangerous and fatal. So, before discontinuing, it’s important to consult your psychiatrist or doctors on the way forward. Emotional and physical distress makes a case for effective detox.
It isn’t easy to detox from Benzo; however, it can be achieved with medical intervention. Medical detox can address the risk of clients experiencing seizures and other related severe symptoms. Furthermore, it can make the withdrawal process more comfortable and safe. In addition, it can help prepare a client for entry into a more formal outpatient or inpatient drug rehab treatment.
How to Safely Withdraw from Benzodiazepines
Before putting to a stop regular benzodiazepine use, consult your healthcare professional or doctor to ensure your health safety – both physical and psychological. Most clients benefit from outpatient or inpatient detox programs, which enable them in minimizing life-threatening chances and reduce serious adverse reactions.
Medical detox can include the administration or prescription of medication to minimize the potential severity and risks of withdrawal symptoms.
Also, it’s important to understand that detox alone is hardly sufficient to help addicted clients achieve abstinence in the long term. Moreover, some facilities provide psychoeducation, peer support, and behavioral therapy – providing a seamless link to continue treatment. Furthermore, rehab treatments can help address the psychological, social, and other factors likely to contribute to someone’s substance use disorder.
Continued treatment after detox medication may include:
Treatments for co-occurring disorders, such as bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.
Other interventions for protracted withdrawal symptoms or continued medication management.
Behavioral therapy to develop coping skills, raise motivation, improve interpersonal relationships, boost self-esteem, and reduce the risks of future relapses.
Benzodiazepine Risk Factors
Different clients may experience withdrawal differently. However, benzo withdrawal intensity and duration are dependent on several risk factors including:
Length of usage. The longer the usage, the better the results. However, it’s necessary to be aware of dependence and addiction.
The mindset of the client. If the client has hope that they are going to recover quickly
from addiction, then they are likely to do so.
Detox and rehabilitation.
Type of drugs used.
The amount of drug ingested. Clients taking benzos in high dosages are likely to
experience withdrawal symptoms faster than those taking smaller doses.
Underlying health and mental problems.
Methods or techniques used, such as smoking, snorting, or ingestion as opposed to
taking pills. The method of ingestion is related to the onset of withdrawal. For instance, injecting benzodiazepine sends the drugs straight to the bloodstream. This helps in taking an instant effect.
Ingesting a pill means that it be digested via the digestive tract – this creates a slower onset and a less intense high onset of withdrawal.
A family history of substance abuse may increase the chances of developing a dependency on Benzo. This may also add to the withdrawal timeline period.
How Long Do Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The timeline for how long the withdrawal will begin or how it will last depends on several factors – some of which include the half-life of the Benzo and regular usage. For instance, withdrawal from:
Longer-acting benzodiazepines, such as Librium, Valium, and Klonopin may not begin for 1-2 days, but can last 3-4 weeks.
Shorter-acting benzos, such as Ativan, Xanax, and Restoril may start within hours of stopping the usage and can improve greatly between the 4th and 5th day.
In some instances, clients may experience discontinuation signs for months. This may occur several weeks or months after acute withdrawal symptoms subside. Some are likely to experience reoccurring symptoms, and at times, the symptoms may reoccur with extreme severity.
Final Thought
It’s important to understand that post-benzo withdrawal syndrome is real and can be very dangerous. It’s crucial to approach benzo withdrawal cautiously and under the guidance of a medical professional to have a high chance of success and minimize any risk associated with it.
It’s also important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and that every client’s journey to recovery is different. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you or your family member are considering withdrawing from Benzo, and work together to find the best approach for you. With the right support, you can successfully manage your benzo withdrawal and live a healthier lifestyle.
Comments