Benzodiazepine Detox Center
Medically-assisted detox programs for benzodiazepines
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If you or a loved one is addicted to benzodiazepines, the caring staff at Briarwood is here to help you reclaim your life from benzodiazepine addiction with an individualized, medically-assisted detox program that is both safe and comfortable.
About Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are some of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States because they are easy to obtain and are frequently prescribed by doctors for anxiety and insomnia. Commonly abused benzodiazepines include Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin. Not all anti‑anxiety meds carry the same risks. Not sure how SSRIs fit into treatment? This guide answers is Prozac a benzo or an SSRI? and compares fluoxetine to benzodiazepines like Xanax. If you’re comparing treatment options or wondering about the difference between Xanax and Zoloft, you can learn more in our detailed guide.
Benzodiazepines are sedatives that work to calm the user by raising levels of an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, called GABA. They affect the central nervous system, reducing feelings of anxiety and relaxing the user’s muscles. Although benzodiazepines can be dangerous when misused on their own, they become even more deadly when consumed with alcohol or opioids. If you’re considering switching away from benzos, start by understanding what is Zoloft (a non‑benzo option) and how SSRIs differ from benzodiazepines. Not all anti‑anxiety meds carry the same risks. If you’re weighing fluoxetine 20 mg vs Xanax and Zoloft, this comparison breaks down how SSRIs differ from benzos for panic and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are classified into three types based on how long their effects last. The three types are:
- Ultra-short acting benzodiazepines
- Short-acting benzodiazepines
- Long-acting benzodiazepines
When taken in regular doses or as prescribed, benzodiazepines are rarely dangerous. But when chronically abused or taken in high doses, they can produce many harmful side effects. These include:
- Impaired coordination
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Breathing problems
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Coma
Long-term abuse of benzodiazepines has also been linked to permanent cognitive impairment.
Do I Need Benzodiazepine Detox?
The detox process is different for everyone, but you may experience very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms during benzodiazepine detox. If you are physically addicted to benzodiazepines, a medically-assisted detox program will ensure your safety throughout the process. Not sure if you’re addicted? Contact us today to speak to an admissions coordinator about your individual needs.
How Long Do Benzodiazepines Stay in Your System?
Several factors will influence how long benzodiazepines stay in your system, such as your age, your weight, your overall health, and any medical problems you may have. Additionally, the exact amount of time a benzodiazepine drug stays in your system will vary greatly based on the drug.
When you consume a drug, your body gradually metabolizes it, breaking it down into compounds called metabolites. The time it takes for your body to metabolize a drug will affect how long the metabolites are detectable by standard drug tests for urine, blood, and hair. According to Mayo Clinic, urine tests don’t always detect every benzodiazepine drug and the time it takes to show up in a blood test will vary.
Generally speaking, here’s how long the different types of benzodiazepines will stay in your system.
| Long-acting benzodiazepineschlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane) | Detectable up to 10 days |
| Intermediate-acting benzodiazepinesalprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Rivotril), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), temazepam (Restoril) | Detectable up to 5 days |
| Short-acting benzodiazepinesmidazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion) | Detectable up to 2 days |
Sources: https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-info/drug-book/benzodiazepines.html
https://www.vhpharmsci.com/vhformulary/tools/benzodiazepines-comparison.htm
Why Choose Medically Assisted Detox?
Detox for short-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, and Halcion can be very dangerous if attempted alone at home. Some people will experience very intense physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms which can lead to severe discomfort and self-harming actions.
A medically assisted detox program provides a safe facility, staffed with addiction detox professionals who will provide personal monitoring and care around-the-clock. Our medical team will help make the withdrawal process easier by comfortably tapering down your physical symptoms in a controlled environment. This also drastically reduces the likelihood of relapse.
In addition, our clinical staff is here to help you address your emotional responses to detox, for a well-rounded treatment that will prepare your mind, body, and spirit for ongoing addiction treatment.
What Are The Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms?
The first physical signs of withdrawal may appear as early as the first 6-8 hours after use. If you abuse long-acting benzodiazepines like Valium or Librium, you may not begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms until the first few days of your detox. Some of the physical and psychological symptoms people commonly experience include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
As you progress through your detox program, our medical staff will administer medications as necessary to smoothly taper down your withdrawal and make the experience a comfortable and safe one for you.
How Does Briarwood Detox Manage Withdrawal Symptoms?
Benzodiazepine detox can be very difficult and dangerous, as it can sometimes result in seizures and suicidal behaviors. The staff at Briarwood has extensive experience managing benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and can administer medication to ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal and to ensure a safe, comfortable process. Medically assisted detox is the safest way to withdrawal from benzodiazepines, as they can be some of the most difficult drugs to detox from.
What Is The Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline?
| 6-8 hours after the last dose: | Symptoms of withdrawal may begin to appear for short-acting benzodiazepines. |
| 1-4 days after the last dose: | Symptoms of withdrawal may begin to appear for long-acting benzodiazepines. Insomnia and anxiety peak during this time and you may be very uncomfortable due to a lack of sleep and rest. Sweating, nausea, and increased heart rate are also common. |
| 10-14 days after the last dose: | Symptoms of long-acting benzodiazepines may peak at this time and can last up to four weeks after the last dose. Symptoms associated with short-acting benzodiazepines may fade away completely within 10 to 14 days after the last dose. |
What Happens During Benzodiazepine Detox?
Comprehensive Assessment
When you arrive at Briarwood for your first day of detox, your resident advocate and detox counselor will welcome you to our home-like facility. We’ll give you a tour of the facility to make sure you know where everything is and answer any questions you have about your accommodations.
After the tour, we will sit down with you to fill out your intake paperwork. We will review all of it with you and your family to make sure you fully understand everything outlined within it. Once your paperwork is completed, a nurse will perform a physical evaluation to assess your current health, learn more about your drug abuse history, and begin detox protocol based on those findings.
Within your first 24 hours at Briarwood, our friendly medical team will perform another, more in-depth comprehensive assessment to develop your individual detox program. This need-finding evaluation provides all the important details we need to determine your physical and medical needs so we can design a detox plan to best meet them. Our detox programs are the furthest thing from cookie-cutter, and that’s what makes them so effective.
Supervised Detox
We have an experienced, licensed medical staff on-site 24/7 for your safety. This team of professionals will consistently monitor your well-being throughout your detox program, ensuring your ultimate safety and comfort. We view this system as a collaborative one because it allows us to work together with you to address your physical needs in the best way possible.
Individual and Group Counseling
Detox at Briarwood isn’t just about removing harmful substances from your body—it’s about letting go of your previous, harmful lifestyle and embracing a new, healthier way of living. Your detox counselor will provide ongoing support with individual and group counseling sessions to address your emotional responses to detox. This provides a safe place to be open and honest about your feelings and address the root causes of your addiction. Regardless of what you’re feeling, we are here to walk with you through it.
How Long Does Benzodiazepine Detox Take?
Many people want to know how long drug detox and withdrawal last before committing to a program. The majority of detox programs at Briarwood take 5-7 days, but your individual program length will vary based on your circumstances. After your initial physical assessment, we will be able to provide more accurate information about the length of your individualized program.
Where Should I Detox From Benzos?
Our medical benzodiazepines detox facilities in Austin and Houston are safe and supportive places to begin your addiction recovery. The experienced and friendly staff at Briarwood will ensure that your benzo detox experience is as comfortable as possible and that you are treated with the utmost care and respect. From the moment you enter either of our facilities, you’ll receive nothing less than the highest quality medical and therapeutic care available.
What is the Recommended Treatment Plan After Benzo Detox?
During benzo detox, our treatment staff will treat uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and help you manage cravings with one-on-one counseling, support, and a positive sober environment.
After detox, relapse is always a risk, so it’s very important to continue your addiction treatment.
Many people do this by enrolling in a rehab or sober living program after detox.
- Benzo inpatient rehab: During inpatient benzo rehab, you will learn essential skills and make positive behavioral changes that will empower you to stay sober.
- Benzo outpatient rehab: Benzodiazepine outpatient rehab offers flexible structured treatment in an outpatient setting that you’ll attend several times a week. Whether you enroll in in-person or online rehab, you’ll receive comprehensive, individualized treatment for benzo addiction. We offer outpatient programs in Austin, Houston and Dallas.
- Sober living: After rehab, a sober living program can provide ongoing long-term support and peer recovery services. This will help you gradually assimilate back into society as a sober person and establish a stable support system.
Getting professional treatment after detox is an important part of maintaining your sobriety and our treatment team will provide professional recommendations for ongoing care after you complete detox.
Benzo addiction will always be a part of your history, but it doesn’t have to define who you are and how you live now. If you’re ready to get your life back, the compassionate staff at Briarwood can help. Call today to get started.
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