Far too many people think that abusing over-the-counter and prescription drugs do not have the long-term risks that illicit street drugs and alcohol present. Abuse of RX drugs – especially opioids and benzodiazepines — has proven to be especially damaging to the physical and mental wellbeing of patients in recent years.

Prescription Drug Abuse Risks

RX drugs that have been widely prescribed since the 1990s in the United States are now being questioned for their long-term effects. Benzodiazepines for anti-anxiety are extremely popular in the last 30 years, because our society has given us a lot more to be anxious about.

Once thought to be completely devoid of adverse long-term effects, recent studies are showing that the rampant long term abuse of benzodiazepines can cause serious neurological concerns.

Can Long Term Benzodiazepine Abuse Cause Cognitive Impairment?

Yes. Cognitive impairment in the short term is common with xanax, valium, and other benzodiazepines. However, a recent study on long term neurological effects of benzodiazepine abuse showed that benzodiazepine abusers still feel the effects of impairment more than a year after stopping the use of the drug.

Can You Die From Benzodiazepine Abuse?

Yes, but overdose is fairly rare compared to the risk of opioid overdose. The true health concerns from Xanax abuse are related to accidents from impairment, mixing with alcohol and other drugs (multiple intoxication), and injury from seizures related benzo abuse and withdrawals.

Traffic fatalities from driving under the influence of benzodiazepines are an equally-deadly risk of benzo abuse.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Can you die from Benzodiazepine Withdrawal? Yes, benzodiazepine withdrawal and alcohol withdrawals are both potentially fatal. Contrary to popular belief, opioid withdrawals are not usually fatal; however, alcohol withdrawals are deadly-serious do to the risk of seizures, and benzodiazepine withdrawal has an equally concerning risk for seizures.

What Are The Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?

• Anxiety & Panic Attacks
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Muscle Aches and Pains
• Muscle Stiffness & Cramping
• Abnormal Heartbeat & Palpitations
• Sweating
• Sleeplessness
• Memory Problems
• Problems Concentrating
• Confusion
• Psychosis (delusions & hallucinations)

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal And Anxiety Attacks

The main symptom of withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines is “anxiety.” Severe anxiety, it should be pointed-out is much stronger than everyday anxiety, generalized anxiety, and most of the anxiety symptoms that may have led to the benzodiazepine prescription in the first place. Anxiety during withdrawal is much more intense, comes in waves, and will not stop until the withdrawal timeline has completed.

Benzodiazepine Anxiety From Long Term Use

It may seem counterintuitive, but anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines can actually cause worse long-term anxiety. Benzodiazepines quiet your natural anxiety responses temporarily, but these are natural defense mechanisms in your body and brain that cannot be turned-off completely.

In a sense, anti-anxiety medications really just hold off your anxiety until later. For serious abusers of benzodiazepines, all of those held-off anxiety attacks tend to come-back during the withdrawal phases, and with a stronger intensity.

Will Panic Attacks Ever Go Away After Quitting Benzodiazepines?

You can never completely get rid of anxiety and panic attacks, but the goal is to make your quality of life the best-possible. However, quitting benzodiazepines and healthily regulating anxiety without medication can allow your anxiety patterns to return to  more normal, less-intensive ups and downs.

Benzodiazepine Detox and Addiction Treatment

Because of the risks associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal, doctors recommend medically supervised detox for benzodiazepine abuse. Xanax detox and benzodiazepine detox centers utilize MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) and medical detox for cases of benzodiazepine abuse. Medications to treat the unpleasant symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal help individuals ease through the withdrawal phase before continuing in to addiction treatment programs and ongoing sobriety.

Benzodiazepines for Xanax Withdrawal

Depending on the type of benzodiazepines you have been abusing, your doctor will plan a step-down approach to slowly lowering the amount of benzodiazepines in your system. Some forms of diazepam, valium, and xanax have longer half lives (meaning the drug stays in your body for longer).

With abuse, the quantities build-up in the body, and may be much higher than even the abuser realizes. Therefore, it is critical to match the correct benzodiazepine step-down schedule to a patient’s unique needs. The type of benzodiazepine used in benzodiazepine detox will also vary depending on the unique needs of the individual.

Preventing Seizures During Benzodiazepine Detox

Can you get seizures when quitting Xanax? Yes, seizure is the main benzo withdrawal symptom of concern during detox. The fact that most anti-seizure medications are also forms of benzodiazepines makes for an especially unique detox experience for each patient. RX Detox Doctors need to make sure they choose the right medications for detox.

Arizona Benzodiazepine Detox Clinic

Active Recovery Care specializes in medication assisted detox for drugs and alcohol. Our specialties include matching the correct detox plan to all of the needs of the individual. Our nurses address other health concerns related or unrelated to the prescription drug abuse, and focus on nutritional wellness plans to help rehabilitate the mind and body during detox and quitting benzodiazepines.