Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are prescribed every day across the country. Designed for short-term use, Benzos can help lower anxiety and insomnia. Many take them after a big life event or crisis to help create a sense of calm. Nearly 50 million prescriptions are written across the US for benzos each year. Because benzos are so commonly prescribed for sleep disorders and anxiety, we abuse them at an alarming rate. Luckily, today there are thousands of programs for benzo addiction treatment.
If you or a woman you know is struggling with benzo addiction, call Soledad House today. Our faith-based women’s detox center can help you regain control of your life. Call us today at 866.314.3222 to begin benzo recovery.
What Is a Benzodiazepine?
Benzos are synthetic drugs made in a lab. They work to slow down the brain’s processing speed by altering brain chemistry with a chemical called GABA. Our brains naturally produce GABA to calm the nervous system. Benzos give the brain high doses of GABA to calm anxiety and promote restful sleep. For man, these benefits can become habit-forming. Benzos also increase dopamine, the chemical responsible for feelings of joy. Prolonged use of benzos decreases the brain’s natural production of GABA and dopamine, making it hard to quit taking. Common names of benzos include:
- Xanax
- Valium
- Restoril
- Klonopin
- Librium
- Ativan
- Dalmane
Because benzos alter brain chemistry, they are designed to be taken for only a few weeks at a time. Unfortunately, their effects often lead to prolonged use and dependency.
Benzo Recovery Timeline
Like any drug, quitting benzos cold turkey can result in severe withdrawal symptoms. If someone has taken benzos for more than a few weeks, long-term effects may occur. As the brain struggles to produce GABA and dopamine naturally, those in recovery may struggle cognitively. They may get confused or have trouble understanding the world around them. Speech and language can become difficult. People may be easily disoriented and suffer from intensified symptoms like insomnia, night terrors, and anxiety.
Benzodiazepine recovery time depends on how long someone has used benzos. It also depends on their overall health, lifestyle, and body chemistry. Many will experience PAWS, a syndrome in which withdrawal symptoms come and go over months or years. The cognitive effects of benzos can fade over time. For those in recovery, it’s common to suffer memory loss, hallucinations, digestive trouble, and depression. Withdrawal can be an incredibly hard time for both a user and their family. It is always safest to undergo detox at a facility that supplies medically assisted detox and recovery. During detox and withdrawal, it’s very common to experience hallucinations, depression, and other psychological effects. These psychological effects can lead to self-harm or other dangerous activity. It is always recommended to detox from benzos in a medically assisted facility for drug and alcohol recovery. Like other drugs, detoxing at home can quickly lead to relapse and other drug-seeking behaviors.
Benzo Addiction Treatment for Women in Beautiful San Diego, California
Benzo withdrawal can be overwhelming and potentially dangerous. If you or a woman you love is struggling with benzo dependency, call Soledad House today. Our women’s only faith-based recovery programs combine Christian faith with medical support and traditional therapy. Our holistic approach can help women return to their faith and overcome addiction. We treat all phases of drug and alcohol addiction with psychotherapy, EMDR, and other therapeutic modalities. Located in beautiful San Diego, California, Soledad house can help women at all stages of recovery regain control of their lives. Don’t put off addiction treatment another day. Call Soledad House today to begin benzo addiction treatment at 866.314.3222.
