Benzodiazepine Detox Rehab Abuse Addiction Withdrawal Treatment Program

Malibu Horizon is the leader in benzodiazepine abuse addiction detox rehab and treatment

Benzodiazepines can be prescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, panic attacks, convulsions, and sleep disorders. For the latter, benzodiazepines are usually prescribed only for short-term relief of sleep problems because of the development of tolerance and risk of addiction.
Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium), and alprazolam (Xanax), are prescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks. The more sedating benzodiazepines, such as triazolam (Halcion) and estazolam (ProSom) are prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders.

List of Benzodiazepines

Xanax
Lexotan
Librium
Klonopin
Tranxene
Valium
Rohypnol
ProSom
Dalmane
Paxipam
Dormonoct
Ativan
Versed
Mogadon
Serax
Doral
Restoril
Halcion

Benzodiazepine Addiction

Despite their many beneficial effects, benzodiazepines have the potential for abuse and should be used only as prescribed.
During the first few days of taking a prescribed CNS depressant, a person usually feels sleepy and uncoordinated, but as the body becomes accustomed to the effects of the drug, these feelings begin to disappear.

Benzodiazepines Addiction Treatment Center

If one uses these drugs long term, the body will develop tolerance for the drugs, and larger doses will be needed to achieve the same initial effects.
Continued use can lead to physical dependence and - when use is reduced or stopped - withdrawal. Because all CNS depressants work by slowing the brain's activity, when an individual stops taking them, the brain's activity can rebound and race out of control, potentially leading to seizures and other harmful consequences.
Although withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be problematic, it is rarely life threatening, whereas withdrawal from prolonged use of other CNS depressants can have life-threatening complications. Therefore, someone who is thinking about discontinuing CNS depressant therapy or who is suffering withdrawal from a CNS depressant should speak with a physician or seek medical treatment.

Benzodiazepine Treatment

Although little research regarding the treatment of benzodiazepine addiction exists, addicted patients should undergo medically supervised detoxification because the treatment dose must be gradually tapered. Inpatient or outpatient counseling can help the individual during this process.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on modifying the patient's thinking, expectations, and behaviors, while at the same time increasing skills for coping with various life stressors, also has been used successfully to help individuals adapt to the discontinuation of benzodiazepines.

Malibu Horizon uses CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for benzodiazepine abuse and addiction

In addition to medical supervision during withdrawal, counseling in an inpatient or outpatient setting can help people who are overcoming addiction to CNS depressants. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy has been used successfully to help individuals in treatment for abuse of benzodiazepines. This type of therapy focuses on modifying a patient's thinking, expectations, and behaviors while simultaneously increasing his or her skills for coping with various life stressors.
Often benzodiazepine abuse occurs in conjunction with the abuse of another substance or drug, such as alcohol or cocaine. In these cases of drug abuse, the treatment approach must address the multiple addictions.

Benzodiazepines are classified as CNS depressants

CNS Depressants

CNS depressants, sometimes referred to as sedatives and tranquilizers, are substances that can slow normal brain function. Because of this property, some CNS depressants are useful in the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders.
CNS is a class of drugs that slow CNS function (also called sedatives and tranquilizers), some of which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; including benzodiazepines. CNS depressants are medications slow normal brain function. In higher doses, some CNS depressants can be used as general anesthetics.

How Benzodiazepines Affect the Brain

Most of the CNS depressants have similar actions in the brain: they enhance the actions of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that facilitate communication between brain cells. GABA works by decreasing brain activity. Although different classes of CNS depressants work in unique ways, it is ultimately their common ability to increase GABA activity that produces a drowsy or calming effect.
Most of the CNS depressants have similar actions in the brain: they enhance the actions of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that facilitate communication between brain cells. GABA works by decreasing brain activity. Although different classes of CNS depressants work in unique ways, it is ultimately their common ability to increase GABA activity that produces a drowsy or calming effect.

Benzodiazepines Side Effects

Despite their beneficial effects for people suffering from anxiety or sleep disorders, benzodiazepines can be addictive and should be used only as prescribed. CNS depressants should not be combined with any medication or substance that causes drowsiness, including prescription pain medicines, certain OTC cold and allergy medications, and alcohol.

Benzodiazepine Benzo Withdrawal

Discontinuing prolonged use or abuse of high doses of CNS depressants can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. Because the drug works by slowing the brain's activity, when one stops taking a CNS depressant, this activity can rebound to the point that seizures can occur. Someone who is either thinking about ending use of a CNS depressant, or who has stopped and is suffering withdrawal should seek medical treatment.
Patients addicted to benzodiazepines should not attempt to stop taking them on their own. Withdrawal symptoms from these drugs can be problematic, potentially life-threatening.

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Benzodiazepine Articles

Ref: http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Prescription/prescription7.html#CNS