Benzo Detox and Rehab in Encinitas, San Diego, CA
What are Benzos?
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Muscle Spasms
- Drug withdrawal
The most common brand names of benzodiazepines and similar drugs are:
- Valium – One of the oldest benzodiazepines on the market. Often prescribed to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Has many generic versions with different names.
- Xanax – Often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Has a variety of different strengths, with some having higher risk of addiction. Is frequently used recreationally, and many users crush the pills for maximum effect.
- Klonopin – Prescribed to treat seizure disorder and panic disorder. Only available in two strengths: 1 mg or 2 mg.
- Ativan – Ativan was designed specifically to treat panic disorders. Available in both a pill and liquid format. Some users will inject ativan with a needle.
- Ambien – Ambien is typically only prescribed to treat some forms of insomnia. It has a powerful sedating effect that helps people fall asleep.
- Halicon – Used to treat sleep disorders. Only offers a temporary solution, as most users build a tolerance to Halicon rather quickly. Is considered a Schedule IV controlled substance by the DEA.
- Lunesta – Used to treat sleep disorders. Can create a pleasurable effect when taken in doses greater than prescribed. Can lead to significant withdrawal symptoms if used regularly.
- Phenibut – Not approved for medical use in most western countries, but can be purchased as a supplement from many online vendors. Addiction risk is lower than other drugs on this list.
What we treat
Benzo Addiction
While benzos are effective at treating a variety of ailments, they are also highly addictive. This has made benzo prescriptions a controversial issue in the medical community. Debates over the controversy were documented by the medical journal Addiction.
Addiction and dependency with benzodiazepines has been the subject of over 60,000 medical articles. The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that benzos can cause a substantial change in the brain’s natural chemistry. These dramatic brain changes are part of the reason why benzos are so addictive.
Psychological side effects
- Manic like mood swings
- Unable to complete tasks that require extended attention
- Significant changes in behavior, such as extreme drowsiness or lack of interest
- Sudden and frequent feelings of irritability or annoyance
- Mental confusion
- Changes in sex drive
Physical side effects
- Slurred speech
- Extreme drowsiness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Poor coordination
- Feeling lightheaded
- Blurred vision
- Muscle tremors
- Vertigo
- Respiratory depression
Benzo Withdrawal
symptoms
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Suicidal thoughts
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Is Detox Really Necessary for Benzos?
Given the severity of withdrawal symptoms of Benzos, detox is highly recommended. In some cases, withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be fatal. The risk of death is minimized when a patient is under medical supervision. Some patients may experience seizures during withdrawal, and it is important to receive medical attention should this happen.
Medical detox from benzos often entails a strategic tapering off schedule. The tapering down can minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Additionally, addiction specialists will use safer benzos during the tapering stage to achieve a more stable detoxification. This typically involves long-lasting benzos like Valium or Klonopin. In some cases, doctors may prescribe other drugs to minimize the side effects of detoxification.
A common drug that is used during detox is Buspirone. Buspirone will help ease the psychological effects of detoxification, particularly anxiety.
Rest assured, Buspirone doesn’t cause physical dependence. In fact, it takes 2-3 weeks of continuous use for it to have any effect. Due to its slow building nature, addiction to buspirone is practically unheard of.
Flumazenil is another drug frequently used during the detox phase. Flumazenil was originally developed to treat those who were suffering from a benzo overdose.
However, later research showed that it can be quite helpful during detox. In specific cases, doctors may use flumazenil to create a rapid detox effect. Note that the use of flumazenil during detox should only be used when recommended by a doctor. In certain cases, flumazenil can make detox symptoms worse.
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Rehab for Benzos
Detox is rarely enough to build long-lasting sobriety. As Benzos are particularly addictive, additional support is often needed. For long-lasting success, it is recommended to pursue either outpatient or inpatient treatment options.
Akasha Recovery provides detox and inpatient treatment options for Benzos and other addictive substances. Our inpatient treatment program is designed to provide patients with tools needed to achieve long-lasting sobriety. Located in Encinitas, our facility takes a holistic approach to address the underlying issues that contribute to addiction.
Our Facility Offers:
- A one-on-one case manager
- 24/7 support
- Process groups
- Nature outings
- Experienced addiction specialists
- Licensed therapists
- State of the art facilities
Structure and support are shown to be beneficial during the treatment process. Clients at Akasha Recovery can expect fully scheduled days to help them establish healthy habits and routines.
To learn more about our recovery services, feel free to contact us any time.