Benzodiazepines Treatment and Rehab

Benzodiazepines Info

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

Benzodiazepines, such as Chlordiazepoxide, Ativan and Diazepam, are some of the most abused prescription pills in the UK. Many patients who have a legitimate prescription change the way they take the medication and soon become unwilling slaves to addiction.

The UK Government recently launched a review into the growing problem of prescription pill abuse, with a goal to avoid the mistakes the US made in the war against opioids where addiction to prescription medicines is worse than the problem of heroin and cocaine addiction combined. In the UK, statistics show that almost 8% of the total population are taking pills without a prescription from their doctor.

Drugs such as Ativan are very powerful, and if detox is not conducted properly, you could suffer painful seizures and withdrawal symptoms. There are over 250,000 UK residents who have a long-term prescription for benzodiazepines and many won’t be able to quit without help. Thankfully, there are rehab centres in the UK that specialise in providing detox and rehab services for those who want to recover and live a long, happy life.

Benzodiazepines Addiction Treatment – What Is It?

Benzodiazepines are a group of prescription drugs used in the treatment of a multitude of mental and physical health conditions. They are mostly central nervous system (CNS) depressants meaning they slow down the functions of this system including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and also lowering the body temperature.

Due to their effects on the overall health system of ours, treating an addiction to any benzodiazepines is a serious process which asks for careful planning by a medical professional. We do not recommend withdrawing from Xanax, Valium or any other benzodiazepines without medical supervision.

A good treatment centre will provide you with a wholesome process – from medically supervised detoxification to therapies and treatment as part of rehabilitation to aftercare counselling and group meetings. The process, however, can be processed in one, two or more facilities, depending on your preference and availability.

Treatment for Benzodiazepines Addiction Is a Necessity

and cared for during 24/7 for all ongoing health problems you experience. This includes mental and behavioural issues, behavioural dependencies, genetically developed co-occurring disorders and more.Rehabilitation treatment involves a holistic approach in which each mental health issue is treated alongside physical problems to ensure a full recovery. The idea is to heal all underlying causes and only after learning the coping mechanisms required for this, to continue into the outside world which is full of temptation. It is essential to learn how to manage tempting situations, as well as how to feel better saying “no” to that desire to artificially improve your moods once anxiety or depression start intruding into your emotions.

Effective Treatment for Benzodiazepines Addiction

The most effective treatment for addiction must begin with a personalised treatment plan that fully caters to your individual addiction treatment needs. No two people are the same, as each individual has a different set of environmental factors, work and general life stressors that may have triggered addiction. The symptoms you experience during detox and withdrawal are also different from other people’s. The goal of any good rehab clinic is to keep you safe and to help you live a drug-free life.

A comprehensive assessment led by a drug counsellor is the first step. They will ask you questions about your family, medical history, drug use, mental health to gain more insight into your life. A physical exam and mental health evaluation follow to check for any co-occurring disorders. The result of your assessment, recommendations from your treatment team and your own input are used to design your treatment plan.

This ensures that the medical team can provide the right medications that ease discomfort during detox, the correct therapy techniques that target your symptoms and adequately prepare you for life after rehab. Treatment cannot be successful without a tailored treatment plan.

Dual diagnosis treatment: This is a specialised treatment for individuals who are struggling with benzo addiction and a co-occurring disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Most rehab centres refuse to accept dual diagnosis patients because they don’t have the facilities and/or specialists required for the treatment. The process has to incorporate psychotherapy for all mental health issues diagnosed at intake as well as any additional dependencies.

Cognitive behavioural therapy: CBT is used to treat many types of dependence. It uses reflective and analytical techniques to help you change the negative behaviour that fuelled drug use and teaches you coping skills for navigating triggers without relapsing.

Contingency management: Also known as motivational incentives, it is a behavioural therapy frequently used in the treatment of prescription drug addiction. It replaces the reward of euphoria felt when taking drugs with tangible rewards for exhibiting the desired behaviour, such as passing a drug test or reaching a recovery milestone.

Inpatient Rehab and Outpatient Rehab for Benzodiazepines Addiction

An inpatient facility is a 24-hour residential treatment centre where you live throughout the duration of treatment. It is recommended for individuals who want to focus completely on recovery, those with a co-occurring disorder, polydrug use problems and other complex needs. Even if you just want to move away from the usual crowd and temptations – this is the best option as you will not experience any of this during rehab. Visitors are only allowed with your permission.

Substance abuse treatment is most effective when all mental health issues related to the primary addiction are addressed during therapy and you recover in a therapeutic environment. The best part about inpatient treatment is that you have access to emotional support when you need it and you’re surrounded by peers who are in recovery themselves.

If you don’t want to reside in a facility while you receive treatment, outpatient programmes are a flexible option suited to individuals who can’t take time off work or school to receive treatment. You don’t enjoy 24-hour supervision, but you can still visit for counselling sessions, group therapy and other specific treatments. However, this option is not recommended for long-term addicts who have complex needs such as a medical condition or mental health issue. Withdrawing from a benzodiazepines addiction without 24/7 supervision is not recommended.

Finding an Exclusive Benzodiazepines Rehab

include housekeeping services, laundry services, in-house gym, swimming pool, spacious rooms, massage therapy, horse riding, picturesque surroundings, fine dining experiences and saunas. Treatment is comprehensive. The major difference between a standard rehab clinic and an exclusive centre is that you enjoy top-notch comfort whilst in recovery.

What to Know about Benzodiazepines Clinics

Benzodiazepines addiction is a mental health disease that affects your personal life, physiology and mind. The goal of rehab is to remove the drugs from your body, physically stabilise you, identify all triggers, address all problems that led to addiction and teach you practical coping skills for dealing with temptation. When you enter a benzo treatment centre, there are no drugs on-site. All treatment methods are guided by the treatment plan created at intake.

During detox, you might be provided with medications to ease discomfort from specific symptoms. A chef is on site to prepare meals that replenish lost nutrients and make you healthy and fit. The toughest days are between the 3^rd and 7^th when withdrawal symptoms peak, but it gets easier with each day that passes. There is random drug testing to ensure you’re clean. Access to medical and support staff at any time of the day or night is guaranteed.

Private Benzodiazepines Rehabs and Confidentiality

If the fear of being exposed has prevented you from seeking treatment, you’ll be happy to hear that privacy is at the core of every reputable rehab centre in the UK. The physical location of most rehab centres is outside the town centre, on private grounds, away from the prying eyes of the public. All your files and records are confidential, and only accessible to staff who are directly related to your treatment.

Most individuals who attend treatment would like to return to society without anyone knowing that they were in rehab, and some even use an alias in order to protect their identity. After intake, you’ll be provided with a copy of the confidentiality agreement, detailing your rights as a patient. Staff at the rehab also sign this document as it legally prevents them from talking to non-authorised personnel about your treatment.

Individual and Group Therapy

aimed at addressing your immediate problems and helping you find inward motivation for abstinence. Topics that are discussed include your progress in rehab, personal obstacles, experience in applying coping skills, developing communication skills, coping with cravings, post-acute withdrawal symptoms and your general progress in rehab. Techniques include relapse prevention training, Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and Motivational interviewing.

Unlike individual therapy, group therapy involves two or more people in therapy sessions led by a licensed counsellor. It provides a unique opportunity to connect with people who understand what you’re going through, practice communication skills developed in individual therapy, and gain strength from your peers. If it is a family therapy session, it involves partners, children and other family members.

The duration of each session is usually one hour, and anyone who wants to share has to stick to a time limit agreed upon prior to the session. They are held three to five times a week in a residential rehab. Topics discussed include handling a relapse, managing trigger situations, dealing with co-occurring disorders, coping with emotional trauma/grief, managing shame, loneliness and difficult emotions associated with addiction, and education on benzodiazepines addiction.

Detox-only programme: If you enrol at a detox-only programme, this means you want to receive medically-supervised detox treatment. There is no specific duration of detox because it depends on the dosage, length of time you consumed the drug, underlying mental health issues, family history and other unique factors that might complicate withdrawal. Acute symptoms usually peak in the second week but could take months to dissipate.

Inpatient rehab: Similar to medical detox, the duration of inpatient rehab depends on the severity of your addiction, the amount of drugs in your system at the time of detox, medical conditions and any polydrug use. Addiction specialists prescribe a 90-day stay as the recommended length for comprehensive treatment. However, individuals who have recently begun using benzos or whose lives have not been adversely affected by the drug could stay for 28-30 days.

Outpatient rehab: The average length of outpatient treatment is between 10 and 16 weeks depending on your treatment needs. You take your medications at the rehab centre and also attend therapy sessions there but go home at the end of each day.

Detoxing from Benzodiazepines – All You Need to Know

the duration of abuse, other drugs combined with benzos, family history, method of use and risk factors. Early withdrawal symptoms manifest within a few hours to three days after your last dose. Short-acting benzos such as Halcion and Tranxene could peak within eight hours after your last use. Longer-acting benzos such as Librium and Valium could take up to a week for withdrawal symptoms to manifest and peak in the second week.

The tapering process usually helps to dampen the effects of rebound symptoms. Most of the symptoms manifest in the acute phase of benzo withdrawal. They include panic, anxiety, muscle spasms, vomiting, seizures, trouble concentrating, short-term memory loss, insomnia and hallucinations. Some withdrawal symptoms might remain after the acute phase. Protracted benzo withdrawal symptoms include loss of sexual energy, persistent anxiety, body aches, depression and chronic insomnia.

Risks of Treatment

One of the most serious medical complications arising from benzodiazepines withdrawal is seizures, loss of body control and poor coordination that could lead to dangerous accidents. Other complications include suicidal behaviour, where you think about killing yourself or imagine you were dead. Do not attempt to self-medicate during detox to reduce withdrawal discomfort. It is dangerous and could lead to accidental overdose.These are all high-risk situations that should not be managed at home. Getting treatment at a medical facility ensures you receive the right dose of medication, taper off properly and remain safe under the supervision of medical professionals.

Detox-only treatment: This is the first stage of the recovery journey. A detox-only facility helps you to detox safely from benzos in the care of medical professionals. They might provide you with medication to alleviate specific withdrawal symptoms.

State-funded rehab: These are rehab centres run by charity organisations throughout the UK and funded by local councils. They provide addiction treatment for high-risk patients who have complex treatment needs.

Private rehab: Rehab centres run by private individuals and funded through payments made by the clients. They will have you admitted faster than most NHS-funded rehabs, helping you get better in a secure and therapeutic environment.

Paying for Benzodiazepines Addiction Treatment

Pictures in the media about celebrities going to rehab have given the false image that rehab is only for the rich and middle class. Contrary to popular opinion, anyone can attend private rehab. The most common way to pay for treatment is with your insurance. Depending on your policy, your insurer could cover either full or partial cost of treatment. Speak with your insurance company to determine what is covered by your policy.If you don’t have insurance you can pay for treatment in the following ways:

Ending Your Benzodiazepines Treatment

The most consistent feature common among all long-term recovering addicts is that they stayed in treatment for the recommended duration. Sadly, many individuals drop out before treatment is over. Some were forced into treatment, overwhelmed by withdrawal, believed that detox is enough or assumed they knew it all after two weeks of treatment.

To avoid falling into the statistics of individuals who relapse not long after treatment, stay in rehab until you’re discharged by your medical team. The decision to seek treatment was a difficult one, it would be harder to make the choice a second time.

What to Expect from Treatment?

Depending on the benzodiazepines drugs you abused, which period may be most difficult for you varies. The days where you experience acute withdrawal symptoms are when you feel like your mind and body are going to war against you. There are medical professionals and support staff to provide emotional support and guide through each day.

Every moment of rehab is structured with an activity to take your mind off cravings and help you focus better on recovery. Your day constitutes breakfast, yoga, meditation, individual therapy, diary journaling, education classes, workshops, group therapy, family counselling, private time for contemplation, exercises and more.

Benefits of Holistic Rehab

The major benefit of holistic rehab is that treatment doesn’t isolate the addiction but treats the individual as a whole. It acknowledges all mental health problems that may have led to addiction or came up while you abused benzodiazepines. Holistic rehabs use a wide range of alternative therapies combined with traditional techniques to treat your spirit, mind and body. Treatment considers cognitive factors, spiritual consciousness, emotions and personal beliefs that fuelled drug use.

Alternative therapies used in treatment include auricular acupuncture, mindfulness-based meditation, pet therapy, nutrition therapy, art therapy, animal therapy, fitness programs and biofeedback. These tools empower you to change and are practical skills you can call upon when you’re struggling with stressors.

The Risk of Relapse for Benzodiazepines Addicts

Some statistics claim that 80% of individuals who receive addiction treatment relapse within the first month. Many people who were long-term benzo addicts might struggle to maintain a structure or stay sober for an extended time after treatment. Your tolerance level will have reduced drastically whilst in rehab so even a small dose could lead to overdose, especially if you combine it with alcohol or another substance with sedative compounds.

Reality is not that dark, though. Most recovering addicts will have a helping counsellor during the aftercare period to avoid this. A longer treatment stay also enforces your resilience, helps you get used to a structure and adapt properly to using coping skills when a situation comes up.

Sober Living Support

This is the transition point between completing a rehab stay and final release to society. If you feel that you’re not ready to be fully integrated into society, you could stay at a halfway house or sober home for as long as you need. Similar to renting a flat, you prepare your own meals, complete house chores, hold down a job or volunteer. There is usually a curfew you have to keep and you’re not allowed to bring in any contraband substance.

The major benefit of the sober home is that all your neighbours are in a situation similar to yours, who have the same goals as you. They conduct random drug/alcohol testing, hold support group meetings and workshops and help you reach your recovery goals.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is an integral part of addiction treatment, especially if your family triggered your drug use. It treats the family as a unit with a goal to change one component of the unit to help the entire family heal as a whole. Sessions are led by a licensed therapist and anyone can share their feelings. Issues addressed include positive parenting, abuse, marital conflicts, financial problems and any other issues that led to drug abuse.

Seek Help

It might seem overwhelming, learning all this information about benzodiazepines addiction. What you should know is that the longer you wait, the harder it is to make the right decision and the higher the risk of overdose or medical complications. If you suspect your loved one is abusing drugs call an addiction counselling helpline or hire an interventionist to help you.

Reach out today

Benzo addiction can be treated. With the right facilities, medical personnel and support system, you can set recovery goals, get clean from drug abuse and live a long, healthy and fulfilling life. Get started by calling us today.

FAQs