If you prefer someone else, any primary care physician or psychiatrist can help you taper your dose. From 1996 to 2013, the number of people filling benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 67%. Benzodiazepine abuse and dependence has become more significant among all age groups, from teens to elderly adults. In 2016, estimates suggest that about half a million people in the United States misused sedative drugs.
- It is a good idea to make out a dosage reduction schedule for the initial stages (see below) and to give your doctor a copy.
- It is highly recommended that detoxing from benzos happens under medical supervision.
- Although their lives may be complicated by drug withdrawal difficulties, the vastmajority are average people who received average treatment from primary careproviders, psychiatrists, and other specialists.
- These outdated approaches lack support, guidance and safety measures.
- The signs and symptoms of Xanax withdrawal vary from person to person.
Your withdrawal side effects will usually stop after a few weeks. You may not get withdrawal side effects when you stop your benzodiazepine medication. You should only be offered benzodiazepines to treat insomnia if it’s severe, disabling, or causing you a lot of distress. You may be offered benzodiazepines for the short-term relief of severe anxiety. Once you’re stable and free of any withdrawal symptoms, your doctor can then taper your dose of Valium. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the level of anxiety you experience during Xanax withdrawal may be more intense than what you experienced before taking Xanax.
Long-Term Treatment for Xanax Withdrawal
Some people taper quickly, finishing up within two to three weeks. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), withdrawal symptoms from short-acting benzodiazepines peak on the second day and improve by the fourth or fifth. The onset of benzodiazepine withdrawal depends on the specific medication you are taking. Short-acting drugs like Xanax (alprazolam) how hallucinogens affect the body and Ativan (lorazepam) leave the system quicker, which means withdrawal symptoms can appear in as little as eight to 12 hours. It’s incredibly important to follow your doctor’s guidance when you stop taking benzodiazepines. If you stop taking them “cold turkey,” or all at once, you may experience severe, even life threatening, withdrawal symptoms.
The Dangers of Tapering Off Incorrectly
It doesn’t matter how benzodiazepine addiction takes hold, though. It matters that people are able to recognize it and take steps to quit using benzos safely. If you are pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your OBGYN or psychiatrist about your plans. However, going through any withdrawal during pregnancy has its risks.
How To Withdraw From Benzodiazepine After Long-Term Use
If you are using Xanax without a prescription, you can still work with a doctor to taper down your dose. Start by visiting a primary care doctor or urgent care center and tell them that you are in or are planning to be in benzodiazepine withdrawal. If you plan to or have become pregnant, you will need to discuss your options with a doctor. Part of that conversation medications for alcohol use disorder should include reviewing the risks and benefits of continuing versus tapering benzodiazepines during your pregnancy. Some people continue taking benzodiazepines throughout their pregnancy while others follow a dose tapering schedule. Even if you only take Xanax for a period of several days, you may develop a physical dependence on the drug.
Behavioral therapy interventions address the underlying causes of addiction and teach the addict how to identify, avoid and cope with situations that trigger drug use. Long-acting benzodiazepines are used to help with the effects of acute alcohol withdrawal. Your doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines if you are experiencing severe anxiety or if you’re very distressed.
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