Louisville, Kentucky Addiction Recovery Treatment Services Benzodiazepine

Introduction to Benzo Addiction ​

Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are a psychoactive drug that acts as a depressant. Commonly used benzos include Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin. These medications are often prescribed for individuals struggling with anxiety and panic disorder and can also be used as a muscle relaxant and aid in alcohol withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines work by slowing down the activity in our brains which can reduce stress and relieve anxiety symptoms. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that benzodiazepines were prescribed at 27 of every 100 doctor visits from 2014 to 2016.

An additional finding was that approximately one-third of those who received the prescription was also prescribed an opioid. Opioids and benzos are both sedatives, which can lead to overdose when combined. Studies have found that individuals who are prescribed both opioids and benzodiazepines are at a 10% higher risk of overdose compared to those who are just prescribed opioids.

We saw a 67% increase in the number of adults who filled a benzodiazepine prescription between 1996 and 2013—going from 8.1 million adults to 13.5 million adults.

What is Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Treatment? ​

Withdrawing from benzodiazepine is dangerous and potentially fatal when not supervised by a medical professional. Approximately one-third of individuals detoxing from benzos experience grand mal seizures. It’s hard to say how long a person will need to detox completely because this depends on how much they were using. A complete detox can last a month or longer.

When someone is detoxing from benzodiazepines, the safest and best place for them to be is a detox center. Medical supervision is available 24/7 if necessary. Knowing this can help families, and loved ones feel better about having a loved one in detox. Detoxing at home is dangerous and can be fatal, even if someone stays with you.

There is no denying that the process of detoxing is unpleasant and hard. There are medications that doctors can prescribe to help cope with some of the common symptoms that may arise. These would include medications to help with anxiety symptoms, relieve some of the long-term withdrawal effects, and potentially shorten the detox process.

Once the immediate and uncomfortable parts of detox are over, then comes the time to focus on addiction treatment. This is where we come into play.

Signs & Symptoms of a Benzodiazepine Addiction ​

If you are concerned about your use of benzos, or that of loved ones, there are red flags that you can look for to highlight that the medication is being misused or abused. When someone is misusing benzodiazepines, you may observe some or all of the following symptoms:

• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Impaired coordination
• Mood changes 
• Poor judgment
• Wanting to cut back or stop using, and are unable to
• Combining benzos with other drugs such as opioids and alcohol
• Developing a tolerance and needing to use more to have the same high

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Physical Signs & Symptoms

These are all physical signs and symptoms of misuse and abuse, but what about other changes that those around us can notice? There are several behavioral and lifestyle changes that can be signs that someone is struggling with an addiction to benzodiazepines, including some or all of the following:

• Withdrawing from usual activities and events
• Seeing more than one doctor for their prescription
• Taking the medication for a more extended period of time than what was initially expected
• Taking pills that were not prescribed to them
• Being impaired at work, home, or school
• Strained relationships with loved ones and friends
• Stealing or engaging in other illegal activities to afford pills

The Importance Of Consulting With A Physician

After reading about the potentially dangerous side effects of withdrawing from benzos, we hope you can see the importance of consulting with a physician before beginning detox. Several of the symptoms listed above are considered health crises. This will likely involve being medically monitored to watch out for dangerous symptoms such as seizures.

For individuals who are abusing benzos and opioids at the same time, using Narcan or Naloxone, at the time of an overdose could prove to be life-saving. Narcan is an opioid overdose-reversal medication and only works when an opioid is the cause of an overdose. Narcan can be kept in a safe place in your home or other commonplace and easily used in an emergency. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, contact emergency services immediately.

Our Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Center in Kentucky

Impact Outpatient Program is an outpatient treatment program, located in Louisville, KY. We provide individualized treatment plans for the individuals we work with because we recognize that we all come from different backgrounds, and no two persons have the same story. As such, individuals may respond to treatment interventions differently.

We pride ourselves on being a judgment-free zone, empathetic and supportive. We encourage you to be open about your struggles because we know that keeping shame and guilt internally can lead straight to a relapse. Using drugs mask emotions, so learning to cope and respond to your emotions in recovery can be scary and overwhelming. We have experience working with addiction and would love to share our knowledge with you.

We offer an Intensive Outpatient Program, which usually includes 15-25 hours of group therapy, as well as individual therapy and outpatient rehab groups. How long you need would be dependent on you. Our clinic is open six days per week for your convenience.

Individuals in the Louisville area who have completed an inpatient program, or who have a mild substance use concern, would benefit from our outpatient program. While in outpatient treatment, you are still able to receive support and treatment while adjusting to life at home.

Impact IOP’s Benzodiazepine Treatment Center Can Help​

At the Impact IOP, we are able to cater addiction treatment to your specific needs. This begins with determining the level of care that would be the best fit for you at this moment.

We have a Residential Inpatient program that offers comfortable living arrangements so you can focus on your recovery journey during the day by engaging in evidence-based addiction treatment with our trained Mental Health Professionals.

We offer a Partial Hospitalization Program. With this option, you would be able to stay at home and come to the recovery center for 4 to 6 hours per day 3 to 5 times per week.

Our Outpatient Program is a great option for individuals who completed an inpatient program or who have mild to moderate substance abuse disorder. Outpatient treatment usually involves group and individual therapy. We tailor your treatment schedule to your needs and your availability to get to treatment.

Lastly, we offer family therapy. This is such a vital and helpful program for the families of someone struggling with an addiction. There is no denying that addiction hurts more than the alcoholic or addict, and families deserve an opportunity to heal as well. With both parties in treatment, the chances of the family moving forward together and preventing a relapse increase greatly.

If you are worried about yourself, or someone you love, we invite you to call us at (502) 912-1038. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs and see where we can help you.