Benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax)

Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are commonly prescribed as relaxing agents for people to handle short-term anxiety. Brand names of these tranquilizers include Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Librium.

They are also a commonly abused drug to which people can easily become addicted, physically or psychologically. Heavy users of drugs like Xanax and Klonopin will start to feel they need the drug to get through the day or to sleep properly. Over time the drugs will lose their calming effect if taken in a consistent dosage, and addicts will need more and more in order to feel the desired effects.

Since benzodiazepines are prescription drugs and are not regarded as “dangerous,” many abusers of benzos do not realize they have a problem until it is too late, and getting a benzodiazepine addict to enter addiction treatment may be very hard. Many times, abusers can hide their habit from loved ones, as they can still appear to be normally functioning.

Many people do not know how dangerous it is to withdraw from benzodiazepines. The reverse effects such as anxiety, irritability and insomnia will be present, but more importantly withdrawal without a planned medical detox can cause seizures or even death.

If a person experiencing benzo addiction is persuaded to enter rehab (because seeking help at an addiction treatment center should always be the addict’s own choice), a planned medical detox will be the first thing that happens. The withdrawal process will be monitored by a trained medical professional; the addict will be in a safe and controlled environment while being made as comfortable as possible.

In addiction rehab, a person with a Valium, Xanax, Klonopin or other benzo addiction will also experience a wonderful environment to begin recovery. Together with their peers, in drug treatment they will participate in intensive therapy to get to the root of their issues surrounding addiction, and they will likely be in a calm, serene environment in which to relax and focus specifically on themselves away from daily pressures and problems.

Entering a 30 or 90 day drug treatment program is the best way to begin recovery. For more information regarding what happens in drug rehab and how it is designed to help the addict stop the use of the drug and find their way to a healthier and happier life, click here.