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Addiction is not easy to overcome. Withdrawal is a significant concern. When a person attempts to quit drugs, their system goes through an adjustment period that results in unpleasant symptoms. They may believe the only way to find relief is to go back to using drugs, and many of them act on it. 

Benzodiazepine (also called benzos) is a type of psychoactive drug that leads to withdrawal symptoms. And while withdrawal is difficult to deal with, it is important to remember that it is a temporary condition that will lead to years of happy, healthy living. So how long does benzo withdrawal last? Read on to find out. 

What Are Benzos?

Benzos are depressant drugs that work to slow down the messages traveling between the body and the brain. They have a tranquilizing effect, and they can be prescribed by doctors to treat stress, anxiety and insomnia. 

Are Benzos Addictive? 

Yes. 

While benzos should be taken as prescribed, many people take more than is needed. This causes the body to build a tolerance, so they need more of the drug to get the same effects. They may ask the doctor for a higher dose, but if the doctor doesn’t honor their wishes, they may turn to street dealers to get a fix. 

An addiction may also form in people who source the drug from the streets and take it recreationally from the get-go. 

Signs of Benzo Addiction

Once you become dependent on benzos, certain symptoms will begin to manifest which may be behavioral, physical or psychological in nature. These include: 

• Blurred vision
• Drowsiness
• Mood changes
• Dangerous behaviors
• Doctor shopping
• Asking friends and family for benzos
• Not being able to stop taking the drug
• Poor judgement
• Combining benzos with other drugs
• Taking more of the drug to get the same effects
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Troubled relationships
• Legal and financial issues

How Long Does Benzo Withdrawal Last?

The amount of time benzo withdrawal lasts varies depending on how much of the drug was used and how long it was used. Withdrawal symptoms will typically begin 24 hours after the drug was last taken and they can continue for a few days or a few weeks. About 10% of users say they still feel withdrawal symptoms even though they have not taken the drug for years. 

In most cases, withdrawal peaks around the two-week mark. Then symptoms will start to subside and eventually go away completely. But in some cases, they may be ongoing. 

Factors that affect how long withdrawal lasts include: 

• The length of time the person was taking benzos
• The dosage amount they were taking
• The method they were using when taking benzos
• Underlying medical or mental health conditions
• Other drugs they were using with benzos

What To Expect at Altitude Recovery

Withdrawal is difficult to deal but inpatient facilities like Altitude Recovery can help. We provide an assisted detox keeping the patient as comfortable as possible during this phase of rehab. We provide a soothing atmosphere and use medications that reduce symptoms. We oversee patients and ensure relapse doesn’t occur. 

After detox is completed, patients undergo therapy. We work out a customized plan that focuses on getting to the root of the addiction. We target unhealthy behaviors and replace them with positive coping mechanisms. 

When patients graduate out of our benzo detox center, they move on to the aftercare phase. We continue to give them the support they need as they adjust to sober living. 

Withdrawal makes addiction difficult to fight. At Altitude Recovery, we do all we can to keep patients comfortable and get them through the detox phase on to a successful recovery. Contact us to find out how we can help you overcome your dependency issues.