Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

08 out Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms

This process involves gradually reducing the dose over a period of days or weeks to reduce the impact of immediate medical removal from the body. One of the symptoms that may result during benzo withdrawal is sleep disturbances. benzodiazepine withdrawal These may include sleeplessness and sleep difficulties such as insomnia or strange and disturbing dreams. These sleep disturbances may last longer than 2-3 weeks, when many of the other possible symptoms peak and resolve.

Benzodiazepine Abuse

The choice of approach depends on an assessment of the risk of harm and relapse. Low-risk patients can be managed in general practice and may benefit most from attempting withdrawal. High-risk patients are best managed with initial stabilisation and maintenance therapy in specialist residential or outpatient addiction services. The management of dependence involves either gradual benzodiazepine withdrawal or maintenance treatment. Prescribing interventions, substitution, psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies can all contribute.

Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Specifically, those with cluster B personality disorders have the worst prognosis in regard to discontinuing BZD. In one study, not a single subject diagnosed with a cluster B personality disorder successfully discontinued BZD use [63]. Additionally, younger patients tend to have a decreased success rate of discontinuing BZD use than older patients [66]. Interestingly, those who used alcohol while taking BZD experienced no difference in discontinuation rate from those who did not use alcohol [64]. Regular use of BZDs has been shown to cause serious, harmful psychological and physical dependence, leading to withdrawal symptoms similar to that of alcohol withdrawal.

Signs and Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

• Because of its pharmacological action (partial opiate agonist), buprenorphine should only be given after the patient begins to experience withdrawal symptoms (i.e. at least eight hours after last taking heroin).
• In general, longer-acting preparations such as diazepam or chlordiazepoxide provide a smoother and safer withdrawal than other preparations.
• More severe reactions or withdrawals may also be more likely when taking strong drugs either for long periods or alongside other types of medications.

To view a comprehensive A-Z list of https://ecosoberhouse.com/ symptoms, go here. It is important to note that these symptom lists are not meant to diagnose or take the place of medical advice. If you are experiencing new symptoms, especially potentially dangerous ones like high blood pressure, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, drooping face, chest pain, shortness of breath, please be evaluated by a doctor to rule out other causes.

How Long Does Withdrawal From Benzodiazepines Last?

• Individuals that have taken higher doses or who have been using the drug with other substances such as alcohol are at an increased risk of withdrawal that could be dangerous.
• People who are not dependent on drugs will not experience withdrawal and hence do not need WM.
• During this phase, symptoms are much less intense, but anxiety, depression and other side effects such as cravings can persist.
• In addition, over half of the survey respondents said benzodiazepines’ side effects or withdrawal symptoms caused them to consider suicide.
• The current treatment of choice is to switch the current short-acting BZD for a long-acting alternative then gradually taper the dose to wean the individual off BZD completely [8].
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach to treating benzodiazepine addiction.

However, this study included a small sample size, so a larger study using this standardized counseling method would increase the validity of the results of this study [73]. More studies will need to be carried out on the non-pharmacologic treatment of BZD withdrawal, as it is showing some promise for the successful discontinuation of the drugs. Abrahamsson et al. investigated the relationship between hypnotic drug overdose versus non-overdose deaths in patients on opioid maintenance therapy.

How to Find Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Treatment and Rehab Programs