Tapering Patients Off of Benzodiazepines

Yes, withdrawal is a possible complication of misusing benzodiazepines. Unfortunately, it’s also possible with long-term use of these drugs even when you take them as prescribed. If you have concerns about dependence and withdrawal from benzodiazepines, your healthcare provider can help you plan the timeline for your treatment. They can also recommend switching you to longer-acting benzodiazepines, which are less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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Difficult tapers

Talk to your care team about all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. Call emergency services right away if you have slow or shallow breathing, feel dizzy or confused, or have trouble staying awake. Health care providers may also prescribe beta-blockers off-label to treat short-term anxiety symptoms, even though the medication is not approved for that specific purpose. Esketamine  is an FDA-approved medication for treatment-resistant depression, which may be diagnosed when a person’s symptoms do not improve after trying at least two antidepressants. Esketamine is delivered as a nasal spray in a health care provider’s office, a clinic, or a hospital.

Paying for Treatment

Stopping benzodiazepines all at once can be dangerous, so your doctor will likely guide you through a tapering regimen that involves gradually reducing your dose over time. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms during tapering, tell your doctor so they can adjust your care plan as needed. Short-acting benzodiazepines, like triazolam, pass quickly through the body, so you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms sooner — sometimes within a matter of hours. While they can quickly relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic, these drugs pose a high risk of dependence. In other words, your body may rely on benzodiazepines to function if you take them frequently and for more than a short period of time.

Mental Well-Being

Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you. Withdrawal symptoms may begin after as little as 3–6 weeks of use, even when a person uses the drugs as the doctor directed. People who have been through acute withdrawal often say that this phase is the most difficult. These drugs are habit-forming and can easily result in physical dependence. This dependence may lead to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a difficult withdrawal if the person chooses to stop taking the drugs.

Patient taking high doses of benzodiazepines or who are users of illicit drugs (polydrug users)

There may be a small number of patients whose quality of life improves with the stable use of benzodiazepines. The decision to continue long-term benzodiazepine treatment needs to be clearly documented. The decision may also involve a second opinion by a specialist in an area relevant to the patient’s needs. These benzodiazepine withdrawal patients still require regular, ongoing review and re-assessment of the risks and benefits of benzodiazepine use. Successfully managing acute alcohol withdrawal is just step one in recovery. Aftercare ensures lasting sobriety by addressing underlying addiction causes beyond physical dependence alone.

• Withdrawal symptoms may begin after as little as 3–6 weeks of use, even when a person uses the drugs as the doctor directed.
• This is a type of medication or substance that slows down your brain and nervous system.
• It often takes some time for a medication to work, so it is important to stick with the treatment plan and take medication as prescribed.
• While benzodiazepines have provided relief to countless individuals struggling with various conditions, understanding their actions, benefits, and potential pitfalls is crucial.

Seeking help is a vital step Alcoholics Anonymous toward recovery and overcoming the challenges of Klonopin dependency. There is absolutely no doubt that anyone withdrawing from long-term benzodiazepines must reduce the dosage slowly. Slow withdrawal means tapering dosage gradually, usually over a period of some months. The aim is to obtain a smooth, steady and slow decline in blood and tissue concentrations of benzodiazepines so that the natural systems in the brain can recover their normal state. As explained in Chapter 1, long-term benzodiazepines take over many of the functions of the body’s natural tranquilliser system, mediated by the neurotransmitter GABA. As a result, GABA receptors in the brain reduce in numbers and GABA function decreases.