Benzodiazepine (Benzo) Addiction Treatment Near Me

When someone pictures a drug addict, they definitely do not have in mind the suburban mother who is overwhelmed with work, kids, and life in general. She isn’t sleeping and her mind is always racing. She takes her issues to her doctor, who prescribes her Xanax, a benzo that might be able to help assuage her symptoms. The doctor’s intention is to only have her take it for short time so that she can get her brain into a routine that doesn’t deal in stress. After only a couple of months, the doctor realizes that her patient has become addicted to it and denies future refills. This is how the majority of those who misuse benzos end up turning to street dealers to find their next fix.

What are benzodiazepines?

When people think about drug abuse, substances like cocaine and heroin come to mind; however, benzodiazepines (benzos) rank up there as one of the most abused drugs. They sedate the central nervous system, causing the muscles to relax and reduce levels of anxiety. They effect how the brain processes function, creating chemical changes in the reward center. They create intense feelings of joy and security. When benzos are constantly ingested, the brain lacks the ability to function normally or feel happiness without the drug. They are classified by their effectiveness.

• Short acting benzos can cause memory loss and confusion, such as Versed and Halcion.
• Intermediate-acting benzos, such as Xanax and Ativan
• Long-acting benzos cause a sedated feeling, making people feel like they are in a haze, such as Librium and Valium.

People start taking benzodiazepines to alleviate their anxiety or to help them sleep better. A large number of people who are anxious or not sleeping well tend to use other substances to assist in those areas, whether it’s to have a glass or two of wine before bed or some other substance. They can be deadly alone but are especially dangerous when combined with alcohol and other substances, also known as polydrug abuse. 

How do I know if I am addicted to benzodiazepines and need treatment?

Benzos trigger a tranquilizing chemical in the brain and work through the nervous system to sedate the body’s physical and mental responses. With the admissions to hospitals because of benzodiazepine misuse tripling since 1998, Every substance that offers benefits at a specific dose can be abused. Regardless of the good that they can do, using them can lead to physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can appear when you try to stop using them once you have become dependent upon them. Depending on duration and frequency of use, the onset of withdrawal can occur up to four days after the last dose and last as long as two weeks. They range from mild to life-threatening. Whether you are analyzing your own benzo use or that of a loved one, signs to look for that indicate you may be addicted include:

• Drowsiness and dizziness
• Confusion
• Weakness and slurred speech
• Loss of physical coordination and seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Coma and death

Ironically, many of the signs of abuse are the same reasons for which they started being used in the first place, like anxiety and insomnia. About one third of individuals who take them for six months or longer will experience withdrawal when they try to stop. They are so commonly abused that over 60,000 medical articles have been written on them concerning their potential for dependency, their patterns of abuse, and the most effective treatments available.

What can I expect at a benzodiazepine addiction treatment center?

You have decided that you do indeed have an addiction and have tried to stop on your own but are finding that it is more challenging than you originally anticipated. Going through detox to eliminate the substance from your system is only the first step that will set you on your path to recovery. A combination of therapies will help you ease the anxiety that may have led you to start taking the benzos in the first place, and choosing a program that matches your personality as closely as possible will give you the greatest chance of achieving and maintaining sobriety.

During the assessment, the facility will ask questions from which they determine what process is best for your particular circumstances, so it is best to be forthcoming with your answers on topics that include history with mental and physical health history and drug use.  They may recommend in- or outpatient; 30-, 60- 90-, or 365-days; and a variety of therapies that will help you embark on a sober lifestyle. Not many realize that they will not only become sober, they will face the demons that led them to abuse in the first place, from past traumas to a lack of coping skills. You will be vulnerable, so surrounding yourself by a non-judgmental support system is crucial. The use of evidence-based therapies is similar in most programs, with variations to accommodate the differences among responses in people. The steps that lead to the best success are:

• Become physically stable
  • Only about 40% of patients enter a benzodiazepine addiction treatment willingly or sober. They may have come in from an emergency room because of an overdose or been assigned there by the court.  
• Assessment and intake
  • Collecting medical history to be able to create a treatment specifically for their needs. Details include medication management, mental status, and physical status, and what therapies would help the most.
• Detoxification
  • Withdrawal symptoms from benzos can range anywhere from mild to intense to lethal, so monitoring by medical professionals and having access to round the clock medical staff can help you get through this difficult process.
• Rehabilitation
  • After the physical dependence has been treated, working on the underlying reasons for your drug abuse whether it is a past trauma or current life stressors, can ease the anxiety and help you deal with issues as they arise. Facts behind therapy include:
    • Rebound anxiety is to be expected among those who rely on the use of anti-anxiety medications, like benzos.
    • Treating underlying trauma that led you down this abusive path may not be what you had expected to go through, but it will offer a vulnerability and happiness long sought after.
    • A dual diagnosis treatment is available when necessary, since almost half of those in treatment show signs of having a mental disorder.
    • Family therapy helps teach them how to be supportive and non-judgmental, which assists their loved one in limiting their number of relapses. 
    • Group therapy surrounds the patient by peers who are going through similar situations. They offer the support necessary to let someone know they are not alone and a means to learn from the experiences of others.
    • Individuals therapies teach healthier ways to cope with anxiety, stress, and mood stability.
  • Aftercare plan
    • Transitioning back into society and a normal routine can be difficult after an intense transformation. Sober living homes and halfway houses offer residency among peers so that people can ease back into society. Plans also may include follow-up group and individual counseling, as well as 12-step programs, like NA (Narcotics Anonymous)

What types of therapies are effective in Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment?

Everyone responds differently to the effects of drugs. They also respond differently to regimens that will treat the addiction to them. It was a gradual process to slide down the path of abuse, and it will take time to deal with the repercussions. This means that surrounding yourself with ideals and activities that most closely match your own will give you the best chance at success. Some of the therapies that are used include:

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) - Patients learn the coping skills to learn they need to handle life stressors and past traumas. When they apply this, it helps them change their harmful thoughts and behaviors to healthy ones.
• DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) – A form of CBT where the patient learns to recognize and handle their triggers. They also face their negative behaviors and transition to healthy ones. This is highly effective in those in dual diagnosis treatment.
• MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) – The use of medications to reduce intense cravings and the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms. Many benzo rehab facilities find that managed tapering is one of the most effective method.
• MM (Matrix Model) – The therapist forms a supportive and encouraging relationship with the patient, improving their feelings of self-worth.
• REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) – Patients learn how to manage common self-defeating emotions, like guilt and shame.
• MI (Motivational Interviewing) – MI can help individuals who were initially against being admitted to rehab. They adapt and become involved in their own recovery.
• CM (Contingency Management) – The use of incentive to help patients maintain sobriety and stay in treatment. It rewards behaviors, such as a clean drug test or attendance at counseling sessions.

Can I afford Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment?

There is no need to let the cost of Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment either cause you more anxiety or make you cancel your appointment to be admitted altogether. While it might seem overwhelming at first, people only want you to succeed so they offer a variety of ways for payment. Paying for treatment can be done in the following ways: 

• Health insurance – Coverage depends on each plan, but this is the most common way to pay:
  • Companies like Aetna pay partial or full programs, depending on the plan and the severity.
  • Medicare or Medicaid
  • Affordable Care Act or Obamacare
  • Military insurance, like in VA centers.
• Grants and Scholarships – SAMHSA funds treatment for those in need. They also offer much needed information.
• Sliding scale payments which are customized to the earnings of the addict.
• Retirement savings and other accounts help make sure there is a future for the addict.
• GoFundMe and other oversee donations with people also being able to pay the facility itself.

With the stigma attached to admitting you have a drug addiction may prohibit you from seeking treatment. Much of society views the abuse of cocaine in a similar way when you admit you misuse benzos. They do not realize that it could happen to them or anyone else who wanted assistance dealing with their anxiety and insomnia. Fortunately, there is always help available when you are ready to fight your back to sobriety. Benzodiazepine addiction treatment can give anyone hope!