Various benzodiazepine medications have FDA approval, which makes it possible for doctors to prescribe them. What are benzos? In simplest terms, they’re tranquilizers. However, in a more sinister twist, they’re also addictive.
What are Benzos?
You know them under the trade names Xanax, Ativan, or Valium. A doctor might prescribe the medications if you complain of insomnia, anxiety, or panic attacks. These medications come in short and long-acting varieties. The goal of the drugs is to help you with an immediate problem while undergoing therapy.
When you take them for longer, you can form a habit. Because these central nervous system depressants help you relax, it’s tempting to up the dose. That’s particularly true for people with unresolved trauma who’re trying to quiet intrusive thoughts or feelings. In this case, what are benzos if not a chemical crutch?
Why Sedation is an Appealing Albeit Dangerous High
You’re drowsy. You’re not worrying about memories that typically haunt you. For a little while, you feel okay. What’s bothering you is at the back of your mind. But there’s a price to pay. Dizziness is becoming the norm. Depression and headaches are common. Addiction makes it increasingly difficult to function at home and at work.
You put yourself at an increased risk of experiencing heart problems and dementia. Overdoses are getting more frequent and may be potentially deadly. You’re not able to process information the way you used to, which makes you a danger on the road. Ending an addiction is possible when seeking out professional benzo withdrawal help.
Detox is the Solution for Benzo Addiction
Benzodiazepine detox is the process of withdrawing from the prescription drugs that you’re taking right now. At a facility, medical monitoring ensures your safety. You don’t have to worry about the pain of withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, you spend a week to ten days in an environment where therapists help you find alternatives to drug abuse.
Examples of treatments include:
- Gender-specific detox meetings that build on your innate strengths and support goal-setting
- Group therapy sessions as a means for working with peers who’re also in recovery
- Individual counseling, which offers you private access to a therapist who specializes in addiction care
- Meditation therapy to learn how to handle stress through breathing exercises and mindfulness training
- Family therapy that helps loved ones find out more about overcoming addiction and supporting your decision to recover
Can You Withdraw on Your Own?
Theoretically, it’s possible to quit cold turkey. Practically, it isn’t a good idea. You don’t have help to address the triggers and stress that caused you to use in the first place. Moreover, withdrawal symptoms may be too intense for you to overcome without assistance.
You may relapse within a day or two, which leaves you feeling hopeless. What are benzos if not sedatives that make it hard to address what’s going on in your life? With help, you can get out of the vicious cycle. Call 866-294-5306 today to connect with expert therapists at Serenity House Detox & Recovery.
