Benzodiazepines or benzos are prescription drugs that dull the central nervous system. Doctors prescribe them often because they can manage various conditions. However, benzos have the potential to cause addiction. Those who want to overcome it must start at a benzodiazepine detox center in TX.

At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we recognize the dangers that benzo addiction pose. However, we also know that there is hope for those who are willing to seek it. We are proud to provide a benzo detox center as part of our prescription drug detox program. To learn more about our services, please reach out to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston today at 866.516.8356 or use our convenient online form.

Benzo Addiction

benzodiazepine detoxMany people don’t recognize what benzos are. Instead, they know these drugs better by their brand names. Some examples include Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Each of these uses a different benzodiazepine as its active ingredient.

Most of the time, people start taking benzos as prescriptions from their doctors. They treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, panic disorders, and seizures. Although they’re relatively safe when people follow the prescription, benzos can cause habit-forming complications. Mainly, ongoing use can turn into abuse that leads to addiction.

When people’s bodies become dependent on drugs, they have trouble regulating normal functions. At this point, their bodies don’t know what to do when they don’t get their regular dose of benzos. People experience withdrawal as a result and continue taking the drugs to avoid discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms make it clear why people need a benzodiazepine detox center when they want to quit using.

The Withdrawal Process

The onset of withdrawal symptoms depends on the types of benzodiazepine that people take. When they use short-acting ones such as Ativan and Xanax, the symptoms manifest in six to eight hours. If they take long-acting ones such as Klonopin and Valium, the effects don’t start for 24 to 48 hours. The reason is that short-acting benzos leave the body faster than long-acting ones.

The severity of the symptoms also differs depending on the types of benzos that people use. Short-acting benzodiazepines cause more intense withdrawal effects. However, the frequency and amount of each dose that people take also affect the withdrawal experience. Quitting cold turkey leads to more severe symptoms as well.

Although these factors mean that benzo withdrawal is different for everyone, it still involves a general timeline. The first side effects to manifest are usually anxiety and insomnia. At some point during the first nine days, the intensity of these symptoms will peak. People are also likely to have an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, nausea, and sweating.

The withdrawal symptoms continue for up to two weeks before they subside. However, some people feel them for three to four weeks.

Visiting a benzodiazepine detox center is essential because of the risk for severe symptoms. Examples include delirium tremens, psychosis, and seizures. Also, some people suffer from post-acute withdrawal syndrome. This prolonged period of symptoms can last for months, causing chronic anxiety and depression.

Withdrawal at a Benzodiazepine Detox Center in TX

To avoid suffering withdrawal symptoms and risking life-threatening complications, people should visit a benzodiazepine detox center in TX. The doctors and nurses at such a facility can keep them safe and healthy throughout the process. With medical detox, they also have a lower risk of relapse.

Since quitting cold turkey often causes dangerous withdrawal symptoms, a benzodiazepine detox center in TX is likely to recommend tapering. This approach involves slowly reducing the dose of benzos that people take. When they’re ready, the doctors will switch them to less potent benzos as part of the process. If they took short-acting ones, for instance, then they would change to long-acting ones.

The tapering method reduces withdrawal side effects and could prevent them altogether. This route usually means that benzo detox lasts for ten weeks or longer. During this time, clients at our benzo detox center will engage in a range of evidence-based and holistic treatment methods. In doing so, they gain the skills they need to stay sober outside of treatment. Our therapeutic modalities include:

In addition, a benzodiazepine detox center may use other drugs to treat withdrawal symptoms. For example, buspirone or Buspar can treat generalized anxiety disorder. Sedatives and anticonvulsants can also be useful during a benzo detox.

Benzo Treatment at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston

During your search for a benzodiazepine detox center in TX, consider Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston. Our welcoming and safe environment can help you focus during detox. We use a range of evidence-based and therapeutic treatment methods as well.

At Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston, our goal is to help you rebuild your life. We encourage you to engage in your addiction detox programs and overcome the challenges that you face. Our facility even offers gender-specific detox programs. A few of our other services include:

Don’t let benzos ruin or take your life. Get treatment at a qualified benzodiazepine detox center in TX. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston at 866.516.8356 to learn more about how to get your life back from benzo addiction.