Benzo Detox Center in Port St. Lucie, FL
Benzodiazepines or benzos are fast-acting drugs that are often prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and seizures. Due to the habit-forming nature of benzos, these drugs are generally recommended for short-term use only. Benzodiazepines quickly cause psychological reliance and can result in physical dependence after relatively short periods of use.
When taking benzos exactly as prescribed, patients are advised against stopping them abruptly. In fact, after just one month of recommended use, all benzo users are required to complete structured weaning programs. Whenever stopping use, or detoxing from prescription pills, it’s essential to have medical help.
If taken at higher doses than prescribed or used for longer than recommended, it’s unsafe to attempt quitting benzodiazepines alone. Without professional medical support, benzo detox can bring about severe withdrawal symptoms, possibly resulting in permanent physiological damage or even death.
At the Agape Detox Center in Port St. Lucie, FL, we offer targeted support needed for successful Benzo detox. A vast range of therapies and medical interventions are provided, to create a safer and more comfortable experience for our clients. We also provide options in inpatient benzo addiction treatment which allow our clients to:
- Learn more about the underlying causes of their addictions
- Develop new and healthier coping skills
- Receive sustainable treatments for co-occurring disorders
- Establish effective plans for long-term relapse prevention
Our detox services provide a strong foundation for success in benzodiazepine addiction recovery. We offer patients the advantage of tranquil surroundings, round-the-clock monitoring, and access to a variety of treatment modalities.
Understanding The Types of Benzodiazepines
The drawbacks of using benzodiazepines for the treatment of issues such as anxiety and insomnia often outweigh the benefits. These habit-forming drugs have a near-instant relaxing and calming effect. Immediate relief provided by benzos is a more desirable option compared to non-habit-forming medications, which can take weeks to achieve mood balance.
Benzodiazepine drugs include:
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
- alprazolam (Xanax)
- diazepam (Valium)
- flurazepam (Dalmane)
- estazolam (Prosom)
- clorazepate (Tranxene)
- chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Many people with benzo addictions were initially taking these drugs exactly as their doctors prescribed. Because tolerance to benzos is often developed quickly, individuals frequently start taking more of their own benzo medications. This helps to achieve the same sense of calmness and euphoria that lower doses once produced.
Those with addiction may look for new doctors when refills, replacements, or dosing increases are no longer supplied. Lying about the number of benzos taken and stealing pills or money to purchase benzos are also important indicators of addiction.
What Are Benzo Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms?
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classed benzodiazepines as Schedule IV controlled substances. They are sedatives and tranquilizers that come with a high risk of addiction and high risk of overdose. The risk of overdosing on benzos is especially high among those who:
- Consume alcohol while taking benzodiazepines
- Combine benzos with other drugs
- Develop tolerance to benzos quickly
When people are addicted to benzodiazepines, they often experience a variety of behavioral changes. Prolonged and severe benzo abuse frequently leads to:
- Bouts of mental confusion
- Disinterest in normal activities
- Decreases in self-care
- Sudden feelings of irritability and annoyance
- Extreme drowsiness
Stopping benzodiazepines outright or taking less than usual can make benzo users feel worse. A sign of physical addiction is experiencing withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping or limiting the use of a substance.
When individuals discontinue benzo use, they often experience a significant recurrence of the issues they originally intended to treat. This is especially problematic when benzodiazepine drugs are being used as a sole treatment for panic disorder or other anxiety disorders.
Abruptly stopping benzo use can lead to what is commonly known as benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. This includes:
- Heightened anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Poor concentration
- Severe and frequent panic attacks
- Heart palpitations
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Dry heaving
What Are the Risk Factors of Benzo Withdrawal?
The risk of experiencing physical and psychological symptoms during benzo withdrawal is high. In severe cases of addiction, serious withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, respiratory distress, and heart troubles can occur. Detoxing without support is also a high-risk endeavor for:
- Aging adults
- Those with untreated or unmanaged general health issues
- People with histories of abusing other substances
Benzodiazepines are intended to alleviate the discomfort caused by anxiety disorders. Therefore, the risks of withdrawal are considered high for anyone with co-occurring mental health issues.
This also applies to those with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Due to the severity of psychological withdrawal symptoms that benzo detox can cause, many people also suffer from suicidal thoughts. Thus, attempting to detox from benzos alone is never recommended.
At Agape Detox Center, we utilize weaning programs, alternative medications, and other interventions to prevent, reduce, and alleviate these symptoms. With targeted, individualized support, our patients are able to successfully complete benzodiazepine detox with minimal physical and psychological discomfort.
Ready to get started?
Give us a call today. Our admissions coordinators will answer any questions you may have about our program and walk you through the admissions process.
Why Medical Detox Is Necessary for Benzo Withdrawal?
Long-term benzodiazepine addiction can carry serious risks, including permanent brain damage. Studies have shown that excessive and prolonged use of benzos can nearly double a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Benzodiazepine drugs cause significant changes in a person’s brain chemistry, particularly along the central nervous system’s reward pathway. This is done by artificially triggering the release of neurotransmitters or the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals. Similar to alcohol, benzodiazepines primarily affect the production and release of gamma-Aminobutyric acid or GABA.
Among some of the more serious risks of long-term benzo addiction is permanent brain damage. According to numerous studies, prolonged and excessive benzo use can nearly double a person’s likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Benzos also affect other neurotransmitters including:
- Catecholamines
- Acetylcholine
- Serotonin
- Glycine
Repeated benzo use can cause many of these neurotransmitters to misfire, decline in production, or lose a portion of their efficacy. As a result, these chemicals become reliant upon benzos to trigger activity.
Neurotransmitters promote mood balance and feelings of elation or calmness. The sudden removal of benzo use means not having access to these chemical activities. As a result, people may experience:
- Heart troubles
- Breathing troubles
- Extreme disorientation and lack of focus
- Balance issues
- Coordination issues
Without the help of a medical detox center, detoxing from benzodiazepines will likely be extremely painful, possibly resulting in death.
At Agape Detox Center, we continuously monitor our clients to eliminate the risk of severe physical symptoms associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal. We routinely restructure individual detox plans to reflect the changing needs of our clients, making the process comfortable and problem-free.
Admission and Evaluation
Admittance into our benzo detox program is as easy as picking up the phone. During your initial conversation, you’ll speak with an Agape Detox Center admissions counselor about your:
- Benzodiazepine use
- Current symptoms of benzo addiction
- Concerns about detoxing from benzos
This opportunity allows our team to gather ample information, helping to create a safe and effective care plan for our clients. During this time, our clients familiarize themselves with available programs by selecting the most appropriate treatment option. Initial medical evaluations are also performed during these initial phone interviews.
Our admissions counselors are standing by now to answer any questions you may have about:
- Insurance and other payment options
- Making transportation arrangements to our Port St. Lucie, FL facility
- Arranging time away from work, school, or other obligations
Upon arrival, our team will perform an in-depth medical assessment, discussing any existing medical or mental health conditions.
Your Individualized Detox Plan
Benzodiazepine addiction and withdrawal affect people differently. Taking into account the many reasons people become addicted to benzos, we’re able to take a targeted, needs-specific approach. This allows us to choose medications and other intervention methods that pose the least amount of risk for additional dependencies.
At Agape Detox Center, we also identify undiagnosed and untreated co-occurring disorders. We understand that these mental health issues may be responsible for causing or fueling your addiction. We reduce the chances of relapse by providing patients with personalized treatment plans. These plans offer the skills, tools, and treatment approaches that are best suited to their specific needs.
Post-Detox Treatment
At Agape Detox Center, we believe that detox is just the first step toward overcoming benzodiazepine addiction. By successfully detoxing and breaking physical dependence on these drugs, patients can prepare for the next steps in their recovery journey.
For those prescribed benzos for long-term treatment, it’s essential to learn healthier and more sustainable ways of managing these issues. Our team is committed to providing patients with the tools and resources they need to achieve lasting recovery.
We understand that benzo detox and withdrawal symptoms can differ from one person to another. That’s why we’ve designed our services and facility to facilitate a smooth transition from detox to inpatient or outpatient treatment. Once you are ready, both mentally and physically, you can take part in individual and group therapy. Onsite workshops and activities are also available.
Residential and Inpatient Treatment
Our inpatient treatment program is held entirely on our closed and secure campus. Following detox, clients can spend up to 3 months taking advantage of onsite counseling services. These services include goal-setting activities, life-planning workshops, and more. Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and other therapy types are also offered at our detox center.
The Agape team takes a holistic approach to promote total wellness for each of our clients. Before you leave treatment, we ensure that you have solid plans in place for both relapse prevention and ongoing recovery support.
Outpatient Treatment & Aftercare
Agape Detox Center offers outpatient addiction treatment and aftercare services that follow benzo detox. Outpatient treatment is typically recommended for those with moderate, short-term benzo addictions and minimal risk of relapse. This type of care is flexible and convenient enough to accommodate a person’s normal work or school schedule.
It also allows those with minor children or other dependents to continue providing necessary support and care. Aftercare services can follow outpatient treatment. These are designed to help recovery remain a top priority while also strengthening the coping skills learned in addiction treatment.
Agape’s Benzo Detox Program
At Agape Detox Center, our Benzo detox program offers patients medical support.
This helps them complete detox safely and comfortably, increasing the likelihood of detox success. We pair our medical services with a holistic, natural approach to help our clients achieve total wellness. Our program focuses on key elements to ensure a successful recovery journey. These include stress management, good nutrition, sleep hygiene, and basic self-care.
The Agape team takes a compassionate approach during detox. We believe this helps our clients recognize their self-worth by overcoming extreme feelings of guilt, grief, or regret. Our holistic services provide sustainable ways to keep your recovery on track over the long term.
Why Choose Agape Detox Center?
At Agape Detox Center, we are dedicated to helping you achieve success. From the moment you enter our premises, our team will welcome and treat you with the utmost respect, helping to regain your liberty and well-being. You can complete your benzo detox in a tranquil, comfortable environment provided by our treatment program.
While in detox, you’ll have access to around-the-clock medical supervision, licensed therapists, and wellness experts. We have multiple effective strategies for helping you heal regardless of your needs. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and needs help, give us a call today. We are here to support and guide you on your journey to recovery.
- November 25, 2022
- Updated Date: December 13, 2023
Detox Programs
Have any questions?
Stephanie Catalano is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
