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Benzodiazepines, often called benzos, are a type of highly addictive drug. Doctors prescribe them for the treatment of insomnia because they work to calm a person. They can also sedate people, making them ideal for a person seeking to self-treat anxiety or high stress levels.
Many people try to stop using benzos on their own. This proves very difficult due to the intense symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal.
What Happens During Benzo Withdrawal?
Trying to benzo detox at home is not only likely to fail, but it is also highly risky. These drugs interact with the central nervous system, depressing it to control seizures, anxiety and insomnia. When you try to remove this type of drug quickly or without medical supervision, the body can enter a state of shock. In some cases, this can create life-threatening symptoms such as seizures, suicidal thoughts, depressed respiration and sudden cardiac death.
A person who cannot stop using these drugs without feeling withdrawal symptoms has a chemical dependency. This indicates the body has become dependent on the drug in some form. If the amount of benzo is decreased or not available, it causes the body to exhibit numerous symptoms. Over a period of time, the body must readjust to the lack of the drug.
What Are Common Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms?
The benzo withdrawal symptom timeline varies for each person. Some people begin to see withdrawal symptoms develop within a few hours of not taking the drug. Some may also see withdrawal symptoms last for days or weeks. The severity of the symptoms depends on how much of the drug is being used as well as how long the dependency has been present.
Common symptoms of benzo withdrawal include the following:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Muscle pain, difficulty moving
- Insomnia
- Irritability and mood swings
- Poor concentration
- Distortion of reality
- Nausea
- Heart palpitations
- Agitation
- Tremors
Most people will experience some of these symptoms immediately after no longer taking the drug.