Benzo Addiction Recovery & Rehab Center

Benzodiazepines are prescription medications that have been used for over 50 years. These medications are used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. However, over time, benzos’ addiction dangers have become more widely known. As the rate of benzo abuse grew in the U.S., addiction treatment facilities had to create services to help. Our Legacy Healing Center locations offer benzo addiction treatment to aid those seeking sobriety and recovery.

How Benzodiazepines Work

Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). As a result, nerve impulses in the brain are slowed, allowing the individual to relax and feel calm. Depending on the type of benzo used and the dosage, this effect may occur more or less rapidly and intensely. Short-acting benzos are processed more rapidly than long-acting benzos, which are normally taken once a day because their side effects last 12 to 14 hours. However, because long-acting benzodiazepines remain in the body longer, they can accumulate with regular use. This can lead to overdose if the individual takes higher doses one day or combines the drugs with alcohol.

Signs of Benzo Abuse

There are numerous signs of benzodiazepine abuse that can indicate a person’s need for benzo addiction treatment. These will vary depending on the individual, the type of benzo they used, the dose, and whether they used other substances.

Common signs of benzo abuse and addiction include:

• Change in appetite
• Confusion
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Depression
• Erratic or aggressive behavior
• Extreme drowsiness or fatigue
• Impaired coordination, cognitive ability, and/or memory
• Mood swings
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Respiratory depression
• Shaking
• Slow reflexes
• Slurred speech
• Vertigo

Additionally, an individual who needs treatment for benzo addiction may also exhibit some behavioral signs of abuse, such as:

• Attempting to fill prescriptions at multiple pharmacies
• Crushing pills before use
• Exhibiting personality changes
• Going to multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions for benzodiazepines (doctor shopping)
• Isolation or withdrawal from others
• Letting go of interests, relationships, and goals that were once important
• Lying about drug use
• Lying about losing prescriptions to get more
• Purposefully combining benzodiazepines with alcohol or other drugs
• Snorting crushed pills or dissolving them in water and injecting the solution

Long-term benzodiazepine abuse can lead to various consequences, including impaired cognition, increased risk of injury, medical emergencies like overdose, physical dependence, and addiction. If you notice any signs of abuse in yourself or a loved one, reach out to our benzo addiction treatment center to learn how our benzo detox and rehab services can help.

Our Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

The first step of treatment at our benzo rehab centers is medically assisted detox. This is the process in which the body slowly rids itself of toxic substances, like drugs or alcohol. To prevent complications that can arise from withdrawal symptoms, our Legacy Healing rehab centers offer medical detox programs that are led by our medical staff, which administers medication (as needed) and places clients on tapering schedules to ensure their health and safety.

Following detox, clients can then participate in individual and group addiction therapy services, including programs like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma therapy, and others. These programs address the underlying psychological and emotional factors of substance abuse to increase the individual’s likelihood of long-term sobriety.

For more information about our benzodiazepine rehab or other addiction treatment programs, contact Legacy Healing Center today.

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