Mclean et al. 2011 reported that the diagnosis of anxiety and stress disorders has a higher prevalence in women, which can explain the discrepancies in the prescription for men vs. women [30]. In addition, 76.2 percent of respondents had not been informed that benzodiazepines are approved for short-term use only and that discontinuation might be difficult. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps equip individuals with coping mechanisms to handle triggers, manage stress, and address root causes contributing to benzodiazepine use.
- It is also unknown to what extent the risk of physiological dependence is dependent upon a minimum duration of exposure or dosage of these drugs.
- If you have been taking a benzodiazepine at a high dose or for a long period of time, you will be risking withdrawal seizures, and the usual treatment for these seizures is intravenous Ativan.
- However, given their delayed onset of action, BZDs continue to be widely prescribed for these illnesses [12].
The findings of a large survey support the FDA’s “boxed warning” from 2020.
The experimental group in this study had a weekly 1/10-dose reduction after a 2 week stabilization period [72]. The experimental treatment also included a BZD diary, a drinking diary, BZD withdrawal education, and assessments for ways of coping and “progressive benzodiazepine withdrawal relaxation exercise” [72]. This was compared to a gradual taper without the other components of the treatment plan [72]. There was no difference in the success rate of BZD discontinuation between the control and experimental groups in this case [72].
How Long Does Withdrawal From Benzodiazepines Last?
Dizziness is often reported as being the withdrawal symptom that lasts the longest. To assess how discontinuing these medicines might affect patients, the team conducted an online survey that included 1,207 benzodiazepine users who belonged to support groups and health sites. Around 136 participants were reportedly taking full doses of benzodiazepines according to their doctors’ prescriptions. The second most common reason was insomnia (40.3%) followed by panic attacks (39.9%).
Psychological Factors
For example, most benzodiazepines have a sedative effect in addition to their primary effect. Elderly patients often require lower benzodiazepine doses due to slower metabolism of the drugs. A study analyzing over 1000 cases of oxycodone-related drug abuse deaths showed that BZDs are among the most abused drugs by individuals using multiple drugs of abuse.
- You may have to pause, slow down, or speed up depending on how your body reacts to withdrawal.
- When benzodiazepines attach to your neurons, they invite a bunch of chloride ions inside.
Medical professionals often supervise MAT to ensure a safe and effective withdrawal. The subacute stage occurs after the acute phase, typically within a month to several months post-discontinuation. While the acute symptoms start to diminish, some lingering effects persist. However, contact your doctor for advice before taking any vitamins or supplements.
( Why should I consider possibly switching from my present benzo to Valium for my taper?
Symptoms may vary greatly between individuals, including occasional bouts of anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, or cognitive issues. While less common, some individuals may experience prolonged and intermittent symptoms that persist for an extended period. At Healthgrades, our Editorial Team works hard to develop complete, objective and meaningful health information to help people choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care. Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience.
- Read on to learn more about benzodiazepine withdrawal, including the signs, how long it lasts, and how to get support with tapering off safely.
- Their sedative effect aids in sleep and insomnia disorders by reducing sleep onset latency.
- Anxiety, stress, or other mental health disorders can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms and prolong the timeline.
- In fact, if you take your medication every other day, you may notice rebound symptoms on the day between doses.