Clorazepate Treatment and Rehab

Clorazepate Info

• Clorazepate Addiction and Abuse
• Clorazepate Symptoms and Warning Signs
• Clorazepate Treatment and Rehab
• Clorazepate Withdrawal and Detox

Like most benzodiazepines, Clorazepate is categorised as a Class C drug in the UK. This means that although it has a low addiction potential, people can still develop tolerance and subsequently become dependent.

Clorazepate is usually sold under the brand name Tranxene and is used as a prescription medication to treat anxiety disorders and seizures. To some extent, it is also considered an effective medication for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. As a benzodiazepine (or ‘benzo’), it acts by slowing down over-excited nerve cells in the brain, thereby reducing anxiety.

Unfortunately, since it is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, it stimulates specific pleasure pathways in the brain and triggers certain euphoric effects. This makes it a sought-after drug for substance abusers. The body tends to develop tolerance over time and a legitimate user may find themselves increasing the dosage to ‘up’ the effect.

If this sort of abuse continues over a long period of time, the body will become dependent on the drug. Dependence manifests itself via various uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when the quantity of Clorazepate in the bloodstream is low. Like any disease, addiction needs to be treated completely or it could lead to self-destruction.

Clorazepate Addiction Treatment: What is It?

Clorazepate is a benzodiazepine. It works by stimulating the production of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA). This chemical is a calmative agent that reduces hyperactive brain activity, thus making it an effective anti-anxiety drug. At the same time, Clorazepate blocks the re-uptake of certain neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, causing them to stay longer in the brain. The result is the pleasurable feeling experienced by many users.

Most legitimate Clorazepate users simply develop dependence due to unchecked frequent usage over a lengthy period. However, recreational drug abusers who take Clorazepate solely for its intoxicating effects quickly become addicted. It is hard for them to function normally without using the drug.

If Clorazepate is extremely low or absent from the bloodstream, the dependent individual will experience painful physical and psychological symptoms. It’s almost impossible to function this way. Treatment involves a series of systematic procedures aimed at expelling the drug and preparing the mind for a life without Clorazepate and comes in two parts; detoxification and rehabilitation therapy.

During detox, the body will go through withdrawal, which is necessary to purge it of any toxic remnants of Clorazepate. It is usually difficult, but in a proper detox clinic, a professional can employ medically assisted methods to make it more bearable. After one to two weeks of detox, rehabilitation follows. The patient is mentally prepared to overcome cravings and beat relapse using various therapeutic techniques.

Overall, the duration of addiction treatment may last between 30 and 90 days, depending on the severity of your addiction.

Treatment for Clorazepate Addiction is a Necessity

Why is it important to get treatment for Clorazepate addiction? For many sufferers and affected family members, substance addiction is a major issue that drastically changes a person’s life if it’s not corrected. Like most diseases, addiction lingers and continues to cause damage in one way or another.

One of the major effects of addiction is the damage it causes to a person’s health. There are risks of heart and respiratory complications, as well as mental disturbances. The individual may also be unable to maintain certain important aspects of their lives, such as school, work or family responsibilities. In many cases, they might steal to support their addictive habits.

Another potential danger of chronic addiction is overdosing. Many benzodiazepine-dependent individuals tend to develop co-occurring drug disorders. For example, they might combine alcohol with Clorazepate to increase its intensity. Unfortunately, it also increases the risk of alcohol poisoning.

Addiction usually causes shame for the abuser, so they often withdraw into isolation. Eventually, the addicted person may become a burden to themselves, their loved ones and friends. Some people have shared stories about how they had to bail a family member or friend from jail for a drug-related offence. This type of incident is never a proud moment but can be prevented.

Sudden discontinuation of substance abuse is a dangerous way to begin treatment and exposes you to several potential complications. Most psychoactive drugs will trigger symptoms like violent tremors, uncontrollable seizures or muscle spasms. Without an addiction expert present, these problems can escalate into much more serious conditions such as a coma or even death.

A doctor will often begin proceedings by enquiring about your drug abuse history. Information such as how long you’ve been using Clorazepate, the quantity ingested each time, and your mode of administration can inform an expert about your addiction levels and the severity of withdrawal to expect.

After gauging your level of drug dependence, a physician will prepare a recovery calendar. This often includes the tapering formula, date of detox, withdrawal treatment and rehabilitation activities.

A tapering formula is a systemic reduction of Clorazepate to prepare your body for withdrawal. Without this form of weaning, withdrawal could be much more uncomfortable. Most procedures follow a 20% reduction in the first week and 10% the following week.

During withdrawal, medicines such as Clonidine and Methadone may be administered to treat anxiety and improve sleep patterns. A person going ‘cold turkey’ may not have access to such medication and could end up relapsing to find relief. Withdrawal also requires psychological support, as many patients entertain thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

After detox (which may last one to two weeks or more), you will be moved into rehab – an inpatient or outpatient facility, depending on the severity of addiction. Whilst in rehab, a psychologist will address the psychological aspect of your addiction. With psychoanalysis, they can uncover the root cause and apply different therapies to help you overcome cravings, as well as build your self-esteem.

When you leave rehab, an aftercare programme that consists of group therapy and support group sustenance will guide you through challenges in the first few weeks. A sponsor will also help you maintain abstinence so that you can start life afresh and stay clean until full recovery is realised.

Therapy and Specialised Treatment Options

Some rehab centres offer general addiction treatment for a whole range of drugs, from cocaine to heroin and prescription medications like Clorazepate. While such facilities are effective, many people prefer clinics that offer specialised treatment. This means the procedures are specifically targeted to one type or class of drugs. The advantage of this is a streamlined, more specific and cost-effective approach to treatment.

When a detox centre focuses on a specific addiction problem, it allows them to source equipment and medication unique to that particular condition. Furthermore, their physicians will be largely experienced with regards withdrawal symptoms and can make it a lot easier for the patient to bear.

There are detox clinics that specialise in benzodiazepines like Clorazepate. Some of them regard detox as the first step towards recovery, while others run it as a complete treatment programme that could last for months. During this period, the patient will report to the clinic every few weeks for a special injection that aims to dispel cravings or similar urges.

After detox, rehabilitation therapy is the next stage of treatment. With a body free of the addictive substance, you will be able to focus more intently during therapy. This may include a one on one session with your addiction counsellor or via group therapy with other patients in rehab.

Rehabilitation therapy utilises special techniques to change the orientation of a former abuser and help them develop independence from the substance in question. It also discovers the likely cause of addiction and aims to suppress it completely.

Common types of therapy are:

Alternative forms of therapy exist to help you build your spiritual strength, as well as the mind and body. They include meditation and mindfulness, acupuncture, massage therapy, arts and craft therapy, yoga and many more.

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab for Clorazepate Addiction

If you opt for a specialised Clorazepate treatment and recovery centre, you will likely be presented with two options:

1. Inpatient rehab
2. Outpatient rehab

An inpatient service is an intensive treatment programme that requires you to check into the facility for a given number of days (usually 30 days or more). Most professionals recommend this option for people with a high-level Clorazepate dependence. If a preliminary assessment indicates that you might experience severe withdrawal symptoms, then this option is certainly suitable for you.

Undergoing detox at an inpatient rehab facility means you’ll have access to 24-hour medical attention. So, if there is an emergency, a professional will always be on hand to treat you.

Another advantage of the inpatient programme is the exclusive environment it provides for treatment. It’s easier to focus on your recovery whilst in a secluded, peaceful environment. It shuts out distractions from the outside world so that you can fully concentrate on recovery. Therefore, it is always our primary suggestion.

The outpatient programme is a more flexible arrangement, where patients resume treatment from their various homes or places of work. This method is usually recommended for people with less dependence on Clorazepate or those with hectic schedules.

If your addiction is not as severe, you may not require intensive treatment procedures, so this option is ideal. However, while it allows you undertake other aspects of your life like school, work or family commitments, outpatient programmes do present the potential for exposure to drugs whilst in treatment. This is a serious concern, particularly for patients who are vulnerable.

The distractions of the outside world are a disadvantage for those recovering via outpatient programmes. Unless it is extremely necessary and there are precautions in place to deal with potential relapse, we strongly recommend inpatient programmes as the number one option for outpatient programmes.

Finding an Exclusive Clorazepate Rehab facility

If you’re not familiar with the process, identifying a suitable rehab facility can be difficult. With many rehab adverts promoting the beauty of their surroundings, it’s easy to get carried away on surface attraction alone, but rehabs should be much more.

The reason for checking into a rehab centre is to receive treatment and achieve recovery from Clorazepate dependence. If you don’t choose wisely, this decision could jeopardise your chances of successful recovery. One of the first things to look out for is the accreditation status of any given facility.

Some questions you should ask are:

1. Are they accredited?
2. What kind of accreditation do they have?
3. Is it approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)?
4. If it isn’t, what alternative authorities have endorsed the facility?

Other important factors to look out for include: the qualifications and experience of the managing physicians; the type of therapy/programmes used; the quality of facilities; the general look and feel of the rehab centre; historical records of successful treatment; customer reviews and more.

While pricing is critical, it shouldn’t be the sole determinant of your choice.

What to Know about Clorazepate Clinics

People who experience cravings – even long after rehab care – can attend these clinics and receive medical relief. However, the danger lies in developing another addiction to the newly-prescribed medication used to subdue cravings.

The second type of clinic serves as a preliminary treatment solution for withdrawal before rehab therapy is performed. The reason for complete detox is to ensure the patient’s mind is free from distraction, whilst building mental resolve against relapse. Without completing detox, withdrawal symptoms could cloud the mind and prevent you from healing properly.

Another option in many Clorazepate clinics is rapid detox treatment (RDT). People who don’t wish to experience withdrawal for prolonged periods opt for this form of treatment.

A doctor will sedate you with a local anaesthetic, and then certain medicines will be applied to speed up detoxification. Clorazepate is forced out of the system and the patient doesn’t feel any symptoms of withdrawal during the procedure, which takes four to six hours. When you wake, you’ll be given an injection that may continue for the next few months.

While RDT appears to be withdrawal-free and a fast way to recover, it is not without issues, since surgery has its risks.

Individual and Group Therapy

In rehab, most centres conduct two types of sessions:

Individual therapy is a one on one session between a rehab counsellor and a patient. During this meeting, the psychologist hopes to discover any underlying issues responsible for the patient’s addictive behaviour. They will discuss drug abuse history, family, the patient’s recovery progress and how to build a mental resolve against Clorazepate usage.

During individual therapy, the rehab counsellor practices specific techniques such as Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Therapy or Contingency Management. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the power of positive thinking to produce positive behaviour. An expert will teach you to shut out thoughts that encourage drug abuse and replace them with motivational ones.

During group therapy, you will be sharing your experience with other patients, as well as former addicts. This session helps you understand that addiction is not limited to you alone and that it could happen to anyone. Group therapy is a time to discuss your problems and draw on the power of collective recovery to move ahead towards a drug-free life.

Some forms of therapy that involve groups include fitness and exercising therapy, music therapy, arts and crafts, as well as yoga. Even long after rehab, these therapeutic group sessions form the foundation of support group systems.

Both individual and group therapy sessions have their benefits and it’s important to take them seriously if you want to completely recover.

Duration of Treatment

Most rehab centres have a standard 30-day period for treatment and recovery. However, this is merely a minimum and recovery has been known to last 60 to 90 days. There is no set time period for Clorazepate addiction recovery, as many factors contribute to the level of dependence. The greater your dependence on a substance, the longer withdrawal will take.

Withdrawal symptoms generally determine how long detox will last. If you’ve been abusing Clorazepate for years and usually take twice the regular dose, your detox duration will more than likely be longer than someone who’s been taking the recommended dose for only a few months.

Rehab therapy is the next stage of detox. If you detox completely, the mind will be free to focus on therapy. The main advantage is that you recover faster during rehab. However, failing to detox completely (perhaps when you quit via the ‘cold turkey’ method), there’s the potential danger of relapsing and so your stint in rehab will lengthen.

Some doctors advise patients to spend a long time in rehab to ensure they fully recover. It is only when you stay long enough that you can receive comprehensive treatment. The ideal period is 60 days and above.

Today, 30 days is not nearly enough time to recover fully from drug dependence. Whether you’re recovering from strongly addictive opioids like heroin or benzodiazepines such as Clorazepate, the length of time spent in recovery is very important.

Detoxing from Clorazepate: All You Need to Know

Before detoxing, it is always a good idea to talk with a specialist. A physician will help you set the stage for recovery, while a plan can serve as a day to day guide for treatment and recovery.

The first thing to know is that it’s quite impossible to detox on your own. Without help from a specialist, health complications may arise, and the risk of relapse is high. The work of an expert is to prepare you for withdrawal so that the symptoms can be bearable. One way to do this is via a gradual weaning process.

During detox, withdrawal may trigger discomforts such as seizures, muscular pain and headaches. In a clinic, the doctors may use medically-assisted techniques to alleviate discomfort. Unfortunately, most people who detox ‘cold turkey’ usually relent and take the drug again for relief. In their desperation, some of them may overdose and end up in the emergency room.

You should also know that detoxing is nothing to be afraid of. Provided you do so in a controlled facility and under the supervision of a qualified doctor, withdrawal symptoms can be controlled.

Psychological Therapy

Addiction is a disease of the mind and body. While detox helps the body attain homeostasis without Clorazepate, the mind must also be trained to develop resistance against the drug.

During psychological therapy, a counsellor tries to establish a connection between an event in your life and the origin of your addiction. Many experts have traced incidents such as childhood abuse, grief, work pressure and financial problems as common triggers for drug abuse.

The counsellor seeks to help you reconcile these problems and build resistance to drug use. However, it’s not every misfortune that leads to addictive behaviour. Sometimes, sticking to the recommended dosage and using a substance for prolonged periods is enough to establish dependence.

Psychological therapy involves methods like psychoanalysis, where a therapist listens and tries to determine underlying problems from accounts of your past and current experiences. Solutions such as behavioural therapy aim to or change our attitude by doing things differently.

Addiction Recovery Types

There are various types of addiction recovery. We have already discussed both the inpatient and outpatient rehab programmes. The type of recovery you choose can impact the quality of treatment you receive. In the UK, many facilities combine both inpatient and outpatient programmes for different types of patients.

Besides the usual types of addiction recovery, there are other options such as sober-living homes, community centres and government outreach programmes.

Sober-living homes offer a space for people to live together whilst recovering from drug dependence. It is free, and newcomers are always welcome. They play their part by contributing to the welfare and upkeep of the building.

Sober-living homes are ideal for group therapy because inhabitants discuss their challenges and provide each other with moral support. However, medical aid, psychotherapy and other forms of treatment are undertaken off-premises.

Community centres provide subsidised options for people without insurance. They are often affiliated with groups such as Narcotic Anonymous, and societies aimed at providing subsidised care for uninsured patients.

Government outreach programmes are also designed to deliver free or subsidised rehabilitation services for low-income substance abusers. The goal is to help them receive adequate treatment whilst learning vocational life skills.

Paying for Clorazepate Addiction Treatment

Besides the fear of Clorazepate withdrawal, another deterrent for many abusers is the cost of treatment. If you don’t have insurance or are unable to pay for addiction treatment, you could take advantage of treatment programmes like community centres or government outreach programmes.

There are different payment solutions for treating Clorazepate addiction. While some facilities request an upfront payment immediately, others allow a periodic payment plan. Either way, it’s important to make sure you’re satisfied with the programmes before making a financial commitment.

Most inpatient rehab facilities charge per week of stay, including detoxification, while some separate the costs and invoice separately. The cost of rehab ranges from £500 to £900 per week, depending on the type of facility and any additional services rendered.

Clorazepate: Duration of treatment

How long does it take to treat Clorazepate addiction? Nobody can confidently affix a specific timeframe, as it varies person to person. You might only need 45 days in rehab, while someone else could spend up to 90 days. There are several factors responsible for this variation, such as:

1. How long have you been using the drug?
2. What dosage do you take each time?
3. How often do you use each day?
4. How old are you?
5. Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions?
6. Do you combine your drug intake?
7. What mode of administration do you use?

All these factors differ with each individual, so the duration of treatment will vary. For example, a 25-year old person could have a better chance of recovering faster than someone who began using benzodiazepines a decade ago, when they were 45years old. Such patients have been known to experience withdrawal three to four months after their last dose.

Notwithstanding, the minimum treatment period is 30 days, but your physician may advise you to stay between 60 and 90 days for a more comprehensive recovery.

What to Expect from Treatment

For treatment to be successful, it must be well-planned. A good physician often draws up a recovery plan to serve as a guide for the patient. Expect to take an assessment test or a blood/urine sample screening. This is to give an idea of the depth of your addiction and the possible severity of withdrawal symptoms.

With knowledge of your level of addiction, the physician will wean you off Clorazepate by tapering the dose you take each day. The standard formula is 20% in the first week and 10% thereafter.

During detox, withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety and insomnia. If you are in a registered detox clinic, you will be aided by medically assisted detox, Clonidine and Methadone respectively to treat both symptoms. After one to two weeks, acute withdrawal symptoms may peak and then begin to abate. However, psychological symptoms may persist for months after.

Following successful detox, you will be transferred to rehab therapy. There, a counsellor will use various therapeutic techniques to prepare you mentally to overcome addiction. Other activities include one-on-one sessions, group therapy sessions and holistic activities.

Inpatient rehab can typically last 30 days or more and your doctor may suggest when it’s appropriate for you to leave. However, only you can tell when you’re mentally prepared to face the world.

Ending Your Clorazepate Treatment: When and Why?

As previously mentioned, a doctor will declare when you are physically and mentally fit, but it’s up to you to decide when to stop treatment – after their recommendation (not before).

Some things to consider include:

Remember, you’re more likely to achieve comprehensive treatment when you stay longer (60 days and above) than when you spend a shorter time in rehab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Can I Get More Information?

Your doctor can provide the answers to any queries you have about Clorazepate treatment, but if you want to know more about rehab, contact an addiction counsellor.