Rehab starts with detox. Then once your body becomes stable from detoxing, you can proceed to counsel and therapy sessions. Your doctor may include medications during treatment to ease cravings and withdrawal pain. Benzodiazepine addiction requires medical care. There is no guarantee of a safe treatment if it is done without a medical expert.
Benzodiazepines are habit-forming substances that pose serious health risks once a person begins to get rid of them in the body. The risks can be fatal, depending on several factors. Mostly, those with severe benzodiazepine addiction are prone to suffer more than those with mild or moderate conditions.
However, every person’s rehab experience is unique, and it is difficult to predict whether one can take on the process smoothly or not. Complications are bound to arise without any concrete sign at the beginning of the treatment. It is still best to work closely with a physician to prevent anything dangerous from taking place.
Is Benzodiazepines Detox Painful?
Yes, it is painful. But the degree can be limited with medical supervision. A tapering schedule can work to prevent withdrawal symptoms from causing too much distress. Sometimes, doctors will also prescribe long-acting benzos to assist in this process.
Detoxing is the initial phase of treatment. Since your body establishes both physical and psychological dependence when you misuse or abuse benzos, once the substance is flushed out from your system, your body function becomes out of state. You will crave intensely the drug and suffer from pain in its absence.
Managing these conditions without professional help is not healthy. You could end up relapsing, suffering from withdrawal overdose, and putting yourself in a life-threatening circumstance. You should never detox all on your own.
How Does Benzodiazepines Treatment Work?
Treatment must not stop after detox. A person must engage in a series of therapy sessions to allow themselves to determine the root cause of their substance use disorder (SUD).
A therapist can aid a person to understand themselves better and be capable of establishing skills to overcome the triggers of their addiction. This is important because addiction is a lifelong journey. The risk of relapse exists even beyond a long period of sobriety.
Other interventions used to cope with SUD are the use of alternative therapies such as engagement in sports, arts, music, and other recreation to form new habits which dissuade one from thinking about the drug. Meditation and light physical exercises such as walking or jogging are also helpful ways to cope with cravings.
Rehab facilities also initiate group therapy sessions. This is where all the patients gather and learn from the experiences of each other. Individuals find support from this company. It boosts the motivation to continue pursuing recovery despite the challenges.
How Long Does Benzodiazepines Treatment Last?
The timeline for treatment is different for every person, although you cannot expect those with pre-existing health illnesses and those with severe SUD to finish their treatment in a month or less. Experts recommend a 90-day program as the most effective duration of rehab care.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal averagely peaks two weeks after the last dose. Symptoms are expected to subside after this timeframe, although the psychological symptoms may continue to persist for a few months. Some may even last for up to two years, and this condition is already classified as Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).
The length of treatment highly depends on every person’s progress. Oftentimes, keeping in touch with a therapist or staying active in support groups are helpful means to prevent one from experiencing a relapse.
Several factors prolong the duration of a person’s treatment. These factors include the following:
- Dosage – the higher the dosage taken over time, the longer the treatment.
- Use for a length of time – the longer the period the substance is taken, the longer the treatment.
- Method of use – snorting the drug or injecting it induces more intoxication than taking it orally. The deeper the intoxication, the longer the treatment.
- Polysubstance abuse – using benzos with other addictive substances to increase intoxication will result in a longer treatment.
- Underlying medical illness – whether mental or physical health illness can complicate the effects of treatment, making it longer.
What Are Signs That I Need Benzodiazepines Rehab?
The strongest sign is when you lose control of your life because you are always concerned about using the drug. You experience intense cravings or you suffer from withdrawal in case you miss a dose. When you sense that your drug use matters more than your work or the people close to you, you should see a doctor at once.
Rehab is rooted in the word rehabilitation. It is the term used to treat SUD. Addiction, just like any physical illness such as hypertension and diabetes, requires treatment. If you ignore this need of your body, your condition will just worsen and your life will be strained forever.
Prolonged use of benzodiazepines without the right prescription will cause health problems such as impairment of memory, slurred speech, blurred vision, drowsiness, confusion, and lack of movement coordination. Extreme conditions include headache, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and coma.
There is also a high chance to experience anxiety and depression, and these conditions can even progress to suicidal ideations. Some people also suffer from anorexia. These are symptoms of the substance used to treat it in the first place. Having too much of it in the body can cause them to rebound.
Do I Need to Undergo Rehab?
Rehab treatment always comes with challenges, but taking one step forward is a chance to improve the quality of your life. Being under the influence of a drug is frustrating, and you lose control. That’s why you need external help to overcome this endeavor, otherwise, it’ll take longer for you to recover.
By seeking the aid of a physician, these challenges can be limited. Regardless of the duration or degree of the treatment, when you get yourself treated, all the sacrifices will be rewarding in the long run.
There is so much that you can do when you just open yourself to healing. Rehab care will be a great help to improve the quality of your life.