Published March 24, 2021 · Reviewed by Sergey Litvinov, MD · ~623 words

Benzos, or benzodiazepines, are a class of drugs used for several medical conditions. They work on your central nervous system to make you feel calm. They are sedatives, sold under brand names like Librium and Valium, and doctors prescribe them for panic and anxiety. They are also habit-forming, so a long stretch on them can turn into benzo addiction. If you have a substance use disorder involving benzo, you probably feel disoriented or confused through most of the day. Benzo makes you sleepy and slows your thinking. If you are fighting a benzo addiction, Pines Recovery Life Detox of South Florida can help.

How does benzo addiction happen?

Because a physician prescribes them, benzodiazepines feel safe. Like any other addictive drug, you may find you need more of them over time. Then your physician decides it is time to wean you off, and quitting feels impossible. Stopping after a long stretch on benzo brings withdrawal symptoms. They may include:

• Irritability
• Inability to sleep
• Tension
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Confusion

Those are a few of the effects of withdrawing from benzo. This class of medication is hard to stop, even when your doctor tapers you slowly. Benzo dependence is both psychological and physical, which is why benzo addiction therapy matters.

When to look for help with addiction

Pines Recovery Life Detox can help with recovery from benzo addiction if you live in or near South Florida. If you have been on this medication a long time, or you are taking benzo without a doctor’s advice, a benzo detox program may be what you need.

Benzo works differently from other drugs. It blocks nerve activity in the brain and central nervous system, which is how it puts you to sleep and takes the edge off anxiety and panic. Because of that calming effect, doctors also use benzodiazepines for seizures, panic attacks, muscle pain and as an aid in alcohol withdrawal.

If you live with anxiety and fear, benzo brings real relief. It makes you sleepy and less wound up. That is part of why it is so hard to stop when your doctor says it is time.

What are the symptoms of benzo addiction?

If you have been on benzo a while and you wonder whether you need benzo addiction therapy, watch for these:

• Persistent sleepiness
• Mental confusion
• Poor coordination
• Nightmares
• Memory loss
• Blurred vision

In older people, benzo addiction often looks like dementia. If you feel uncoordinated and heavy most of the day, that can be benzo dependence. Talk to your physician about switching your medication, or call Pines Recovery Life Detox at 800.263.3869, or contact us online for help with benzo dependence in Miami.

Find the help you need at Pines Recovery Life Detox

If you or someone you love needs help to stop using benzo, our inpatient detox program for benzo addiction gives you supervision and care around the clock. Our clinicians will be constantly available, and on call if you need more medical attention.

The benzo addiction therapy program at Pines Recovery Life Detox gets you off benzo safely and into recovery.