These drugs are eliminated fairly rapidly with the result that concentrations fluctuate with peaks and troughs between each dose. It is necessary to take the tablets several times a day and many people experience a “mini-withdrawal”, sometimes a craving, between each dose. It is sometimes claimed that very slow withdrawal from benzodiazepines “merely prolongs the agony” and it is better to get it over with as quickly as possible.
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Furthermore, the evidence suggests that benzodiazepines are no longer effective after a few weeks or months of regular use. When tolerance develops, “withdrawal” symptoms can appear even though the user continues to take the amphetamine addiction treatment drug. Thus the symptoms suffered by many long-term users are a mixture of adverse effects of the drugs and “withdrawal” effects due to tolerance.
- Several key factors influence the timeline and severity of withdrawal symptoms, making each individual’s journey unique.
- Benzodiazepine, or benzo, withdrawal happens when a person suddenly stops taking benzodiazepine drugs, which doctors do not recommend.
- If you’ve taken benzodiazepines at high doses for an extended period, you may experience long-term withdrawal symptoms, also called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or protracted withdrawal.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency or mental health crisis, please call 911 or seek immediate professional assistance. Researchers also found that up to 25 percent of long-term benzo users go through protracted withdrawal, with symptoms that last a year or more. One of the main causes of benzo withdrawal, and the benzo flu, may be the sudden dopamine drop in the brain that occurs when someone stops using benzos. The initial rebound effects, such as increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping, characterize the acute stage. Physical symptoms like tremors, sweating, and nausea may also emerge during this period. Secondly, approximately 20% of the children in the intensive care unit given BZD during sedation, more specifically midazolam, have been shown to exhibit withdrawal effects.
Does long-term treatment with benzodiazepines affect the withdrawal process, and can other medications help manage it?
Prolonged use can lead to a more entrenched physical dependence, potentially prolonging the withdrawal timeline and intensifying symptoms. Conversely, those who have used benzodiazepines for a shorter period may experience a less severe withdrawal phase. The process of withdrawing from benzodiazepines is not only complex but can also be perilous if not approached with caution and proper medical oversight. Understanding the benzodiazepine withdrawal timeline is crucial for individuals and healthcare providers alike to prepare for and navigate the journey towards recovery.
- But each schedule must be tailored to individual needs; no two schedules are necessarily the same.
- If so, the receptors would continue to be resistant to the natural calming actions of GABA (See Chapter I), and the effect could be to prolong the state of nervous system hyperexcitability.
- However, there are some drugs which may help to control particular symptoms in withdrawal and which deserve consideration in certain situations though not recommended for routine use.
- People with severe anxiety before starting treatment with BZD typically have more severe withdrawal symptoms, and thus have a harder time fully discontinuing the drug 63.
- Risks include seizures, dangerously high blood pressure, and heart complications.
Coping with protracted symptoms
If you go into withdrawal without tapering, you benzodiazepines withdrawal symptoms also risk experiencing delirium and hallucinations that cause you to lose touch with reality—a terrifying and dangerous experience. The best way to quit benzodiazepines is to avoid withdrawal by asking your doctor to taper down your dose. Tapering means taking progressively smaller doses over the course of a few weeks or months. Estimates suggest that 10 to 25% of people who take benzodiazepines for extended periods experience what’s known as protracted withdrawal.
Poor memory and concentration are also features of benzodiazepine withdrawal, and are probably due to continued effects of the drug. Mentors should be prepared to repeat encouragements again and again, week after week, as their words are soon forgotten. Benzo withdrawal can be a stressful process, but it is often necessary for people trying to get themselves off benzodiazepine drugs.
Tapering changes
Recognizing these signs early can prevent complications and guide timely intervention. Short-acting benzodiazepines, like triazolam, pass quickly through the body, so you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms sooner — sometimes within a matter of hours. A slow tapermay help reduce the duration, number, and intensity of symptoms but does notnecessarily prevent them.
