However, there is still a possibility of severe reactions and withdrawal symptoms. A person’s withdrawal symptoms often depend on the half-life of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms from short-acting drugs, such as Xanax, may come on faster than withdrawal symptoms from long-acting drugs, such as Valium. People looking to get off benzos should do so under the guidance of a healthcare professional, who may recommend coping strategies and other tools to make the withdrawal process more comfortable.
Management of moderate to severe opioid withdrawal
If you only use them once every few days, you may be able to take them for up to 4 weeks. During your taper, you may still experience some of the symptoms of withdrawal. Relapse prevention strategies are your armor against future battles with addiction. Learning to identify triggers, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and creating a solid support network are all crucial pieces of the puzzle. The duration of withdrawal is about as predictable as the weather in April. Factors like your metabolism, overall health, and even your support system can all influence how long this journey lasts.
- Opioids may numb emotional as well as physical pain, while benzodiazepines can work a little too well to eliminate anxiety.
- Baseline anxiety is an important indicator of withdrawal symptoms [63].
- If you’ve taken benzodiazepines at high doses for an extended period, you may experience long-term withdrawal symptoms, also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or protracted withdrawal.
- This can be linked to addiction as the patient is not just psychologically addicted to the substance, which can be seen with cravings, and physical addiction.
- These symptoms may begin while taking or tapering benzodiazepines, and can persist for weeks, months, or even years after discontinuation.
- During withdrawal, the patient’s mental state should be monitored to detect complications such as psychosis, depression and anxiety.
When should I contact a doctor?
Patients with DTs or other severe withdrawal symptoms may require admission to the intensive care unit due to the risk of mortality. There has been a steady increase in the number of prescribed BZDs in the US [27]. Bachhuber et al. 2016 reported an increase in ED visits for overdose and increased overdose death due to BZD use [28]. Women are more susceptible to BZD overuse because they are more likely to be prescribed than men [29]. Mclean et al. 2011 reported that the diagnosis of anxiety and stress disorders has a higher prevalence in women, which can explain the discrepancies in the prescription for men vs. women [30]. Given their lipid solubility, BZDs have a high volume of distribution in the body, which translates to higher tissue concentrations than blood.
Protracted withdrawal
- A team of 23 experts with mostly academic, clinical, and/or lived experience taking benzodiazepines formed the Benzodiazepine Nosology Workgroup.
- Diazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine, is the most common choice for dose tapering.
- On exam, the alcoholic withdrawal signs and symptoms may include hyperventilation, tachycardia, tremor, hypertension, diaphoresis, or hypothermia.
- This dependence may lead to a difficult withdrawal if the person chooses to stop taking the drugs.
- Patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal may have numerous potentially life-threatening medical problems.
In an agitated patient, neuroleptics such as haloperidol 5 mg IV or intramuscularly (IM) may be added to sedative-hypnotic agents as an adjunctive therapy. Caution must be taken because haloperidol may decrease the seizure threshold as well as prolong the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ QT interval. There are pharmacological options for treatment in those suffering from withdrawal or wishing to discontinue their chronic BZD use. Each of these studies received mixed results, with no statistically significant advantage to BZD therapy.
Short-term symptoms
benzodiazepine withdrawal can also lead to disturbances in mental function that persist for several months or years (referred to as post-acute-withdrawal syndrome in this form). Psychotherapy can help you understand the root cause of your substance abuse problems. It can also help you learn to identify psychological triggers that may cause you to relapse so that you can avoid them in the future.
Symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal
It’s a bit like having the flu, a hangover, and a panic attack all rolled into one delightful package. Long-term Xanax abuse is like a slow-motion car crash for your body and mind. Cognitive function takes a hit, with memory and concentration becoming collateral damage. Your emotional landscape becomes a barren wasteland, devoid of the highs and lows that make us human. And let’s not forget the physical toll – from increased risk of falls in the elderly to potential liver damage.
