Benzodiazepine Detox & Addiction

Benzodiazepines describe a group of drugs commonly prescribed by GP’s although they can also be purchased on the ‘black market’ and off the internet. Most common types of benzodiazepines are valium (diazepam) and nitrazepam. These drugs are notoriously difficult to withdraw from and normally require a long detox depending on the amount one is taking and also the length of time for which one has taken them. Gradual reduction, with close monitoring is the most common method used. Here at The Providence Projects we have an extremely successful track record in weaning people off their benzo's in a safe and comfortable manner. Our success rate is second to none.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome—often abbreviated to benzo withdrawal—is the cluster of symptoms which appear when a person who has taken benzodiazepines long term and has developed benzodiazepine dependence stops taking benzodiazepine drug(s) or reduces the dosage too rapidly. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is similar to the alcohol withdrawal syndrome and barbiturate withdrawal syndrome and can in severe cases provoke life threatening withdrawal symptoms such as seizures.

Chronic exposure to benzodiazepines causes physical adaptations in the brain to counteract the drug's effects. This is known as a tolerance and physical dependence. When the drug is removed or dosage reduced in an individual physically dependent on benzodiazepines, numerous withdrawal symptoms both physical and psychological may appear and will remain present until the body reverses the physical dependence by making adaptions to the drug-free environment and thus returning the brain to normal function. Generally the higher the dose and the longer a benzodiazepine is used and the more rapidly a benzodiazepine is discontinued then the more likely severe withdrawal symptoms will occur. However, severe withdrawal symptoms can still occur during gradual dose reduction or from relatively low doses.

Please note, detox alone is not the solution for the ‘addict’ or ‘alcoholic’. It is often necessary and is the beginning of the treatment recovery process but without the necessary therapeutics interventions that treatment offers the chances of long term recovery are slim.

If you need further information regarding detox or treatment, please call 0800 9550945 or complete the call back request form and we will call you back immediately.