Some individuals may also experience rebound symptoms, where the original condition the benzodiazepine was treating worsens temporarily. Stopping benzodiazepines all at once can be dangerous, so your doctor will likely guide you through a tapering regimen that involves gradually reducing your dose over time. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms during tapering, tell your doctor so they can adjust your care plan as needed. 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. The detox itself will happen with high levels of medical support and round-the-clock monitoring to ensure safety and comfort.
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Research in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology notes that an estimated 10–25% of people who use benzos for extended periods experience withdrawal symptoms that last for 12 months or longer. Short-acting benzodiazepines are much more likely to cause rebound symptoms. In fact, if you marijuana addiction take your medication every other day, you may notice rebound symptoms on the day between doses. If you take benzodiazepines infrequently, such as once a week or once every few weeks to treat panic attacks, you can take them for a longer period of time. This is because inconsistent use doesn’t pose the same risk of dependence or withdrawal. Most people do okay with tapering their benzodiazepines at home with the help of their primary care doctor or psychiatrist.
Medical detox
In turn, this would in most likelihood minimize the enormous burden of what could be termed benzo-brain injury experienced by far too many. Laboratory tests, such as blood tests, may be employed to rule out other potential causes of symptoms. Additionally, psychological assessments and symptom checklists can help in identifying the characteristic features of benzodiazepine withdrawal, such as anxiety, insomnia, and tremors. Collaborating these different methods aids in reaching an accurate diagnosis and developing an appropriate treatment plan for the individual experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. The main factors contributing to this syndrome include the development of physical dependence on benzodiazepines, alterations in the brain’s neurotransmitter systems due to prolonged exposure, and changes in receptor sensitivity. Additionally, individual differences in metabolism and genetic factors can influence the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms.
Health Conditions
Stimulants include Ritalin and Adderall, often prescribed to manage symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 2018 analysis also revealed that drug misuse accounts for about 17% of benzodiazepine use among adults in the United States. Withdrawal symptoms benzodiazepine withdrawal may vary from person to person, although there are some common symptoms.
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Instances are also reported within the high-dosage category of more serious developments such as seizures and psychotic reactions. Withdrawal from normal dosage benzodiazepine treatment can result in a number of symptomatic patterns. The most common is a short-lived “rebound” anxiety and insomnia, coming on within 1-4 days of discontinuation, depending on the half-life of the particular drug. The second pattern is the full-blown withdrawal syndrome, usually lasting days; finally, a third pattern may represent the return of anxiety symptoms which then persist until some form of treatment is instituted.
- By recognizing BWS’s intricacies, one can pave the way for improved recovery and a better quality of life.
- Medical support can help with symptom management and reduce the risk of relapse.
- If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives.
The physician must also assist and guide the patient through this critical recovery period. If your patient has self-diagnosed their physiologic dependence on benzodiazepines, there is a good chance that they have done it via internet searches and contacts. There is a set of well-established terms in common use in the online benzodiazepine withdrawal sufferer community. Prescriber-patient communication can be eased and facilitated when the prescriber takes the time to understand these terms. The evidence-based literature does not use this terminology, but does speak to spikes in severity of symptoms . When someone stops taking benzodiazepines suddenly, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.
- You should plan to stay in touch with your doctor regularly during the tapering process, either by phone or during office visits.
- Many factors must be considered in establishing a deprescription plan, but a detailed best practices evidence-based tapering guide that is tuned specifically to benzodiazepines can be found HERE.
- This article delves into the intricate landscape of Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (BWS), exploring its manifestations, underlying mechanisms, and the physical and psychological hurdles it poses for individuals striving to regain their lives.
From 1996 to 2013, the number of people filling benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 67%. Benzodiazepine abuse and dependence has become more significant among all age groups, from teens to elderly adults. In 2016, estimates suggest that about half a million people in the United States misused sedative drugs.
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If not already using a long half-life benzodiazepine like clonazepam or diazepam, transitioning to an equivalent dose (see Table) of either of these agents prior to tapering often allows for a smoother tapering process. When undergoing a taper, patients often experience an increase in symptoms after each reduction in dosage. Sequential reductions can be made periodically as long as the patient has a pause in the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms between reductions. Avoid formulaic plans which reduce the dosage to zero in a fixed amount of time. Patient compliance rates are increased and patient discomfort is reduced when you factor in the patient’s experience and adjust the taper rate accordingly.
Are there any signs that benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome might recur after treatment?
If you want to stop taking benzodiazepines after consistent long-term use, your doctor can help you gradually taper off your medication. Tapering can help take the edge off withdrawal symptoms like tremors and nausea, though it may not prevent withdrawal symptoms entirely. Some people, such as those with a history of complicated withdrawal, seizures, or severe mental illness, may be better suited for an inpatient setting. This can involve living at a detox facility or hospital for several weeks, where you can receive constant medical monitoring and psychological support. There is a risk that people who quit benzodiazepines without a taper may experience a life-threatening grand mal seizure.
Management
The severity of BZWS symptoms depends on many factors, and varies from imperceptible to debilitating. For an in-depth discussion of the withdrawal syndrome, please start here or go to the For Prescriber’s page and browse through the topics listed under “Dependence and Withdrawal”. Research showed that 40% of people taking benzos for longer than 6 months experienced moderate-to-severe withdrawal symptoms. While they can quickly relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic, these drugs pose a high risk of dependence. In other words, your body may rely on benzodiazepines to function if you take them frequently and for more than a short period of time.