Getting benzo help for an addiction may seem intimidating. It can be hard to know where to start. Often, a benzo addiction begins with a prescription. Benzos are widely prescribed for anxiety, panic disorders, and sleep disorders. Common types of benzos include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan. These medications do provide symptom relief and help to numerous people. Yet they can also be habit-forming and are not meant to be used long-term. This is especially true if they are used outside of prescription guidelines. The answer to benzo addiction is not judgment and shame. Rather, it is support and recovery.
Learn more about benzo addiction treatment in Laguna Beach by calling 877.279.1777. We offer comprehensive benzo addiction treatment designed to help
What Is Benzo Addiction?
A benzo addiction is when someone is unable to control their benzo use. The behavior is compulsive. Their body has come to believe that it needs benzos to function normally. Between uses, withdrawal symptoms may set in, further reinforcing the need for benzos to feel okay.
The root cause of addiction is hard to pin down. Certainly, genetic factors and a person’s environment play a role in their risk of developing an addiction. Other risk factors for benzo addiction include:
- Family history of substance use or mental health disorders
- Chronic stress
- Experiencing trauma
- Being a victim of abuse of neglect
- Easy access to benzos
It is important to understand that addiction is a condition. It is not a sign of weakness or moral failing. People who are struggling with benzo addiction need help, understanding, and support. There is no shame in seeking out treatment for an addiction.
3 Ways to Get Benzo Help
Overcoming a benzo addiction tends to require formal treatment. In fact, trying to quit benzos on your own, without medical support, may be dangerous. The three ways, or steps, to quitting benzos and getting help are outlined below.
Detox
The first step in getting benzo help is detox. This is the process of quitting drug use under medical supervision. Stopping benzo use tends to involve experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These are most intense during the first few days. Common benzo withdrawal symptoms include nausea, insomnia, anxiety, depression, sweating, tremors, muscle pain, and restlessness. These symptoms can be alleviated when detoxing at a professional facility.
One way that treatment providers help people wean off benzos is through the tapering method. Instead of quitting cold turkey, clients are walked through slowly taking less and less over time to allow their body to better adjust.
Treatment
After detox comes treatment. This can be done through inpatient or outpatient services. Inpatient treatment involves overnight stays for a length of time, is more intense, and is best suited for severe addictions or cases where someone struggles with a mental illness. Outpatient treatment is less intense but offers increased flexibility. People attending outpatient treatment can continue working or upholding family responsibilities.
One primary concern of treatment for benzo addiction is tackling the root cause of why someone may have needed benzos in the first place. Often, this looks like getting behavioral therapy for anxiety or a related mental issue. No matter the exact therapy used in treating benzo addiction, the goal is to help someone understand their addiction and develop coping mechanisms so that they no longer turn to benzos as a means of dealing with stress or when life feels difficult.
Recovery
Recovery is often used as the umbrella term for the process of overcoming an addiction. That process naturally includes detox and treatment but the real, ongoing work of recovery begins after treatment. Staying sober is a lifelong commitment. Providers like Oceanfront Recovery offer comprehensive aftercare planning and an alumni program that keeps people connected to recovery services long after they complete treatment. The relationships people build during treatment can be lifelong and provide crucial sources of accountability.
Call Oceanfront Recovery Today
Oceanfront Recovery offers comprehensive benzo help for those in need of lasting recovery. Discover what compassionate, expert care for benzo addiction looks like when you contact us at 877.279.1777. We are here to help.
