Benzodiazepine addiction treatment is a necessary step for many individuals struggling with the misuse and abuse of these drugs. Benzodiazepines are sedatives and hypnotics that are widely prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, panic disorder, and seizures.

While these medications can be beneficial when taken as prescribed, they have the potential for misuse and abuse due to their sedative effects. It is crucial to understand the risks associated with benzodiazepines and how to receive addiction treatment.

If you or a loved one is struggling to control addictive urges, our addiction treatment programs in Illinois can help. We want to provide you with the care you deserve.

Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription drugs commonly used for treating anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures. They work by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is responsible for inhibiting certain nerve signals in the brain. Benzodiazepines can be taken orally or through injection. The effects of benzodiazepines include:

The most common drugs in this class are

  • Valium
  • Xanax
  • Halcion
  • Ativan
  • Klonopin

How Do Benzodiazepines Work?

Your central nervous system (CNS) uses chemical and electrical signals to send messages throughout your body. Neurotransmitters are the chemical signals that bind to the cells with the right receptors. Like your car keys, neurotransmitters can only fit into the correct receptor. If it fits, the neurotransmitter can activate a process within the cell.

When you take a benzodiazepine, it tells your brain to release a neurotransmitter that makes your CNS less active. The slowed activity can cause the following effects:

  • Amnestic: Benzodiazepines block the formation of new memories
  • Anxiolytic: Relieves anxiety
  • Sedative: Calms the nervous system
  • Hypnotic: Induces sleep

Our approach to client care encompasses mind, body,
and spirit as a unified whole.

Feel free to contact us if you require any further information about our services

Dangers of Misusing Benzodiazepines

Taking benzodiazepines is relatively effective and safe. But they do have some side effects that may become more noticeable when they’re misused. Common effects are drowsiness, lethargy, and fatigue. As the doses increase, there can be additional negative effects, including:

  • Slurred speech
  • Impaired coordination
  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Blurred vision
  • Mood swings
  • Unpredictable/hostile behavior

Several months of use can substantially increase the risk for addiction, tolerance, and the experience of withdrawal symptoms when the medication dose is reduced or ended. Individuals with a history of drug abuse must be more careful, as they have the highest risk of addiction.

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What are Some Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction?

At times, people taking benzodiazepines will experience sleepiness or dizziness. These effects are more evident at higher doses. Signs of benzo addiction include:

  • Problems sleeping
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Goosebumps
  • Unmanageable leg movements
  • Memory issues
  • Changes in behavior (such as increased risky behaviors)
  • Delirium (this occurs mostly in older individuals)
  • Withdrawal symptoms when reducing or stopping use

What are Some Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction?

At times, people taking benzodiazepines will experience sleepiness or dizziness. These effects are more evident at higher doses. Signs of benzo addiction include

  • Problems sleeping
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Goosebumps
  • Unmanageable leg movements
  • Memory issues
  • Changes in behavior (such as increased risky behaviors)
  • Delirium (this occurs mostly in older individuals)
  • Withdrawal symptoms when reducing or stopping use

Benzodiazepine Overdose

Benzodiazepine overdose is a serious and potentially life-threatening medical emergency. It occurs when too much of this class of medication, which includes drugs like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, and Librium, is taken in one dose or over an extended period.

Treatment typically involves supportive care such as oxygen therapy and other interventions to help reverse the effects of the overdose.

Symptoms of benzodiazepine overdose include:

  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion/impaired mental condition
  • Loss of coordination
  • Weakened reflexes
  • Shallow, slow breathing rate
  • Coma
  • Death (when used with other respiratory depressants)

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Our benzo detox in Illinois uses a weaning process to ease withdrawal symptoms such as tremors and seizures. All benzodiazepines are habit-forming and may cause physical dependence. Eventually, that dependence can lead to difficult withdrawal symptoms if the individual decides to stop using them. If your addiction is moderate to severe, the place to start in treatment is probably with a medical detox. This eliminates the chemicals from your body and ends your physical dependence on the drug.

Our inpatient drug rehab in Illinois takes place in a safe, secure treatment facility. This is considered our highest level of care. Here, you can be free of the distractions and triggers that make you want to use and concentrate on your recovery. Individuals in residential care receive intense therapy and counseling to help rehabilitate body and mind. The length of time depends on your needs and requirements.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) are sometimes called Partial Care or Day Treatment. This level is the same as a residential program in intensity and services, except that you don’t live at the treatment facility. This type of outpatient program is appropriate for people who have stable, supportive housing, regardless of the severity of their addiction.

Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides a high level of outpatient care. You may attend treatment sessions approximately 3 times per week for a few hours each visit. Many people with less severe addictions and a stable home life can recover in an IOP.

A standard outpatient program is most appropriate for a person with a mild substance abuse problem and a supportive network of family and friends. Outpatient treatment usually includes one hour of treatment once or twice per week. It’s also great for continuing treatment after completing a higher level of care.

Sober living residences are immensely helpful for people who are not confident enough to return to their previous living situation. It’s an efficient way to transition into a productive, drug-free life.

When used as prescribed, benzodiazepines can relieve insomnia, treat panic disorders and depression, and reduce seizures. Doctors may also provide benzodiazepines for general anesthesia or alcohol withdrawal-related symptoms. If used as prescribed, these medications can be very safe and effective.

The duration of benzo withdrawal varies significantly from person to person, but acute symptoms typically last from a few weeks to several months. This timeline is influenced by factors such as the specific benzodiazepine used, the dosage, the duration of use, and individual physiology. For some individuals, a longer-term post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) with intermittent psychological symptoms can persist for many months, underscoring the need for a managed, long-term approach.

Long-term benzo use can lead to significant physical and cognitive effects, including memory impairment, emotional blunting, and increased risk of depression. Physically, prolonged use can cause dependence, tolerance, and potential damage to the central nervous system. These effects highlight why a carefully supervised medical detox and comprehensive treatment plan are crucial for individuals seeking to stop long-term benzodiazepine use.

The length of addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all and depends on the individual’s specific needs, the severity of their addiction, and their progress in recovery. Treatment can range from a 30-day intensive inpatient program to several months or more in outpatient care, followed by long-term aftercare and support. A sustained commitment to treatment, often involving ongoing addiction therapy or support groups, is widely recognized as a key predictor of successful, long-term recovery.

Most private health insurance plans, as well as Medicaid, provide coverage for benzodiazepine addiction treatment, as it is considered an essential health benefit. The extent of coverage, including deductibles, co-pays, and the specific programs approved, will vary based on your individual policy and provider. Our admissions team is happy to help you understand your benefits. Contact us to verify your insurance.

Seek Treatment at Northern Illinois Recovery Center

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Our treatment center in Crystal Lake is ready to provide you with the treatment necessary for a successful recovery. With our team of medical professionals and a vast array of rehab programs, we can create a treatment plan for each individual.

Contact us today if you or a loved one is interested in our treatment services. One call is all it takes to start on the path to healing.

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Benzo Addiction Treatment Center in Illinois

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