What To Expect During Benzo Detox at Mallard Lake. The Best Detox Center in Houston, TX.

Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a family of medications that are used to treat insomnia, calm the nervous system, and reduce anxiety. They are also useful in relaxing muscles and can be used to manage epilepsy and any diseases that are associated with seizures.

However, benzos are not without their risks. Substance dependence, increased vulnerability to harmful medication interactions, and excruciating withdrawal symptoms can result from chronic or excessive use. This means that some people have to go through medical detox in order to safely stop using this drug. This blog by experts from Mallard Lake Detox Center, the best medical detox center in Houston, TX, contains more information regarding medical detox for benzos including what benzo detox means, benzos that must be detoxified, benzo withdrawal symptoms and duration as well as what to expect during benzo detox at the best medical detox in Houston, TX.

What is Benzo Detox?

Detoxification from benzodiazepines involves removing the substance from the body through cessation of usage. Both “cold turkey” (immediately discontinuing usage of benzos) and “tapering” (slowly lowering dosages) can accomplish this. Benzo withdrawal symptoms can be rather uncomfortable and even deadly, therefore it’s best to undergo Benzo detox in a medically supervised facility.

Benzos That Require Medical Detox

Certain benzodiazepines have longer half-lives than others (long-acting); these include oxazepam, clonazepam, temazepam, and prazepam; lorazepam and chlordiazepoxide are intermediate-acting; while diazepam, alprazolam, and estazolam are short-acting. The longer the half-life of a benzodiazepine, the longer it takes for the drug to take effect since your body requires more time to absorb it. On the other hand, the effects of short-acting ones fade off after a few hours, albeit they operate significantly faster. Sleeping tablets or short-term tranquillizers are the most common forms of administration for short-acting benzodiazepines. On the other hand, antidepressants and intermediate or long-acting ones are commonly used when it comes to treating anxiety, depression, or epileptic fits. Detox is often necessary for misuse of short-and intermediate-acting benzodiazepines. Still, the hazards of long-acting ones are real, and it can be difficult to properly stop using them. Benzodiazepines used to treat seizures and epilepsy are among the most hazardous because they can cause deadly withdrawal symptoms that need medical attention.

Benzo Withdrawal: What Causes It and What Are Some of The Symptoms?

Benzos work by depressing the central nervous system (CNS) by increasing GABA activity. This process is what causes the sedative, drowsy and relaxing effects that are typical of benzos. The body needs time to adapt to the reduced GABA activity that occurs when benzodiazepines are abruptly stopped. This can lead to a variety of unpleasant and perhaps harmful withdrawal symptoms associated with benzos. These symptoms include:

Irregular heartbeats
Muscle aches
Anxiety
Irritability
Insomnia
Sweating
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Depression
Hallucinations
Seizures
Concentration issues
Memory issues
Restlessness
Convulsions
Flu-like symptoms

What Is the Typical Duration of Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms?

Individual variables, such as the kind of benzo consumed, dosage, and duration of use, determine the entire duration of withdrawal. The duration of withdrawal from Valium may be significantly longer than that of Ativan or any of the other benzos due to the significantly longer half-lives of the former.

What to Expect During Benzo Medical Detox at Mallard Lake Detox Center

Medical Assessment

A medical and drug use evaluation will be conducted by staff members at our medical detox the moment you arrive. At this stage, they can assess the extent of your addiction and your current withdrawal symptoms. Because many people who have benzodiazepine addiction also have a mental health condition, they may assess your mental health here as well. After their mental health experts have finished their examination, They can develop a treatment plan that is specific to your requirements and preferences.

Development of a Personalized Treatment Plan

Depending on your personal preferences and your mental diagnosis, your detox may involve therapy sessions to assist in identifying issue areas to work on during the recovery process.

Post Detox Plan

After completing detox, the next critical step is to enroll in a treatment programme. All of the clients at Mallard Lake Detox Center are strongly encouraged to seek out therapy, whether it be rehabilitation, counselling, or something else entirely so that they can avoid relapse.