Can You Die from Benzo Withdrawal?

Benzodiazepines is a type of drug that can be used to treat a lot of medical conditions. It is often prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Short term use of this drug can be safe and effective in treating medical conditions, but long-term use can lead to dependence, tolerance, and even addiction.

Upon entering the body, benzo slows down the brain’s activity and exhibits a calming effect on the user with increased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA. However, when mixed with other drugs, benzo intake can be very risky and can cause overdose.

Benzo intake must be well-monitored and taken for only a short period of time due to high risk of becoming dependent or addicted to the drug.

In this article, we will answer frequently asked questions about benzo.

Can Benzo Cause Withdrawal?  

Yes. After consuming benzo for a period of time, suddenly stopping may cause withdrawal. As mentioned above, long-term use of the drug can lead to dependence. If the body is already relying heavily on benzo, it may experience withdrawal symptoms that may range from mild to life-threatening.

The span of time for when withdrawal will begin for every individual and the severity of the symptoms depend on numerous factors like their regular intake and how long they’ve been taking benzo.

Here are the physical and psychological benzo withdrawal symptoms an individual may experience when they stop taking the drug:

• Headache
• Palpitations
• Hyperventilation
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Visual disturbances
• Unusual sensations in the body
• Sensitivity to loud noise
• Depersonalization
• Muscle spasms
• Hallucinations

These symptoms are very dangerous because they may lead to accidents. Most benzo users who have stopped taking the drug experience the return of their original symptoms like anxiety, depression, and insomnia, but with a greater severity.

Can You Die from Benzo Withdrawal?  

A lot of people often ask this question because they don’t know just how bad benzo withdrawal can be. There are a lot of symptoms and a lot of medical and psychological risks of benzo withdrawal. Serious symptoms include seizures, hallucinations, paranoia, and delirium, which in itself is dangerous for any individual. In the most severe situations, benzo withdrawal can cause death.

Psychological symptoms such as depression may lead to life threatening tendencies such as self harm, suicidal ideations, psychosis, and many other violent behaviors. These occurrences may lead to the death of the user or threaten the life of those around them. For the elderly, benzo withdrawal can lead to heart attack and delirium due to the increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

There may be a lot of risk to consider in benzo withdrawal. Fortunately, there are safe ways to detox from benzodiazepines for people who really want to quit. The risks of the symptoms can be reduced with the right medical detox where the withdrawal can be done gradually or where another medication can be substituted.

 Get Help for Benzo Withdrawal 

The best way to handle and monitor benzo withdrawal is with the help of a professional. A detox or rehabilitation center can offer supervision, monitoring, and safety for anyone experiencing mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. Any individual going through detox will need support and professional treatment to make sure that they do not suffer from any dangerous symptoms during this time.

With a controlled and calculated tapering schedule, benzo withdrawal can be safe and the side effects reduced. By slowly lowering the amount of drug taken by the user, most of the serious withdrawal symptoms can be avoided.

During detox, benzos can be substituted with Xanax to keep a small amount of benzo in the bloodstream. With this strategy, the withdrawal can be controlled for a longer period of time until the body is used to it. Other medications such as antidepressants can also help in treating the symptoms.

Medical and psychological professionals agree that the best way to do benzodiazepine detoxification is with support and gradual tapering. Therapy sessions can be helpful to limit the stress and anxiety of the individual and prevent any symptoms from developing further. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very effective because it helps the patient find the link connecting their thoughts and actions, which will lead them to have a more positive approach to the detox.

Weight loss and change in appetite will be observed in withdrawal, that’s why any individual undergoing the process must make sure to have healthy and balanced meals during detoxification.

There are a lot of ways to reduce the symptoms and side effects of benzo withdrawal, but you will certainly need benzo withdrawal help from a professional to closely monitor the process and make sure you are given the support and treatment you need.

Haven House, a drug rehab near Murfreesboro, offers treatments and professional help for a safe detoxification process. Rest assured that you or your loved one will be taken good care of and helped with the necessary treatment.