Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

Although addiction can take many forms, most people mistakenly equate it to being addicted to recreational drugs. Unfortunately, individuals can also develop substance use disorder for prescription medications as well. A commonly prescribed medication which can lead to serious addiction is benzodiazepine. Since benzodiazepine is typically used to treat depression, substance use disorder can easily occur through misuse. If you are in need of benzo addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, you can get treatment in Little Creek Recovery in Pennsylvania. At our treatment center, nestled in the woods of Lake Ariel, individuals can go through detox for benzodiazepine addiction. Recovery is conducted by trained clinical staff, but what sets Little Creek Recovery apart from other benzodiazepine rehab centers, is our use of outdoor activities and music therapy in benzo addiction treatment.

What Are Benzos And How They Affect People?

Benzodiazepines, sometimes also called benzos, are psychoactive drugs which medical professionals prescribe for a variety of treatments. Benzos cause a sedative state, and they are mostly used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and panic disorders. Since benzodiazepine is a depressant, it causes a shift in brain chemistry and affects individuals by lowering their brain activity.

Due to the fact that doctors often use benzodiazepine, patients usually feel safe and comfortable taking the drug. Unfortunately, it is quite possible to develop an addiction to prescription medication. Thankfully, in these situations, it’s possible to go to benzo rehab in a specialized treatment center. Little Creek Lodge can help you overcome your struggle with addiction. With our help you will be able to lead a sober and fulfilling lifestyle, free from addiction.

Types Of Benzodiazepines

The name of benzodiazepines comes from the benzene ring which is fused onto the diazepine ring. In the United States, benzos are categorized as a controlled Schedule IV substance. Due to the differences in chemical structure of benzodiazepines, there are several different types of benzodiazepines. However, when it comes to substance abuse, most treatment centers will differentiate them by how quickly they act. If we look at how long the effects need to manifest, we can divide benzos into three main categories:

• Ultra short-acting, also known as immediate-acting. The most well-known ultra short-acting benzos are Versed and Halcion.
• Short-acting. Examples of short-acting benzos are Xanax and Ativan.
• Long-acting. Common long-acting benzos include Valium, Klonopin, and Librium. Keep in mind that long-acting benzos may have residual effects that can persist.

Regardless of the type of benzodiazepine you’ve developed an addiction to, recovery is possible. However, your benzodiazepine addiction treatment will be different depending on the extent of your use and the type of benzos in question.

Effects Of Benzos On The Brain And Body

Benzodiazepines can have immediate effects on users, and that’s where their use as recreational drugs stems from. However, we also need to consider the effects of long-term use, and how they affect the brain and body. Overdose from benzos is possible, and excess consumption can cause extreme drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, or even death.

The immediate, or short-term effects mostly include slowing down the central nervous system. This can put users into a sleepy and relaxed state. Unfortunately, using benzos can come with a fair share of side-effects. Short-term effects can also include: dizziness, anxiety, confusion, blurred vision, forgetfulness, headaches, irritability and fatigue.

When we talk about long-term use, we normally consider use that lasts for three or more months. Abusing benzos for a long time can lead to lasting effects and a shift in brain chemistry. In these cases users need to undergo benzo detox. However, while detox will cleanse the body, the effects of mental addiction and cravings need to be treated through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This is a form of talk therapy that can change disruptive and self-destructive thought patterns.

Some patients struggle with negative emotions during their withdrawal phase. In these situations, those patients can undergo dialectical behavioral therapy training (DBT). Individuals who have been abusing benzos usually suffer from a shift in brain chemicals. This can cause them to feel the urge to use benzos again in order to stave off those feelings. DBT can help individuals overcome negative feelings which would otherwise drive them towards bad life choices.

Long-term effects of using benzodiazepine include impaired memory, amnesia, dementia, as well as permanent cognitive defects. Other common symptoms are: constant drowsiness, decreased reaction time, impaired coordination and concentration skills, depression and sexual disfunction.

Most Commonly Abused Benzos

The only way to legally get a hold of benzodiazepine is through a prescription. Therefore, individuals who are suffering from benzodiazepine addiction usually procure benzos by manipulating prescription orders. They may file prescriptions in multiple locations, get prescriptions from several doctors or even forge prescriptions to obtain more benzos. Of course, there is also the possibility of illegally purchasing benzos. However, illicit benzos also typically come from illegal prescription scams. This means that the most commonly abused benzos are variants that are also used in various treatments. Commonly abused benzodiazepines are:

• Xanax
• Ativan
• Ambien
• Valium
• Klonopin

Out of that list, Xanax and Valium are probably the most well known. Users will typically crush Xanax pills and snort the powder. This can result in an immediate effect, which can also be quite dangerous and result in an overdose.

Valium is one of the oldest and most known benzodiazepines, and it is also one of the most abused benzos. When compared to Xanax, the effects take longer to set in making the drug less dangerous. Valium is also less likely to cause a serious adverse reaction, but it is also considered less rewarding to abuse.

Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Individuals who are suffering from substance use disorder usually have a hard time overcoming their addiction on their own. This is due to the fact that withdrawal symptoms will quickly kick in when attempting to stop using a drug. The effects of withdrawal and cravings can be so severe that individuals will often use again just to get by. Unfortunately, this is how the cycle of addiction begins again. To get rid of their addiction and overcome their symptoms of withdrawal, individuals should enroll a benzodiazepine addiction treatment center. Following completion of a treatment program, a sober living facility can help patients maintain their sobriety and avoid relapse.

When attempting benzo detox or dosage reduction, the following withdrawal symptoms may occur: chest pain, anxiety, nightmares, paranoia, confusion, convulsions, insomnia, mania, psychosis. Keep in mind that sudden discontinuation of the drug may cause serious withdrawal symptoms. That’s why benzo rehab at Little Creek is overseen by a professional clinical team. The treatment for most patients is conducted through dosage reduction. The reduction is carried out incrementally, and is sometimes assisted with medicine to help ease cravings.

Causes Of Benzo Addiction

It is no secret that we are living in the age of an opioid epidemic. The sad reality is that there are many reasons why a person could develop benzodiazepine addiction. Reasons could range from the mundane, such as taking too much prescription medication, or simply taking benzos for too long.

People who struggle with chronic illness may think that there could be no harm from taking medication their doctor prescribed. Unfortunately, taking any medication for too long can result in unwanted side effects and will likely lead to addiction. Chronic illness that requires medication is a definite risk factor for addiction. We advise exercising caution when taking medication, and you should regularly consult with your physician regarding your dosage.

However, there are also individuals who abuse drugs, and who are willing to use benzos recreationally. These individuals can obtain benzos from illegal drug dealers. Alternatively, they may even purchase benzos from people who have legally obtained their prescriptions. Users will consume benzos for the euphoric effect and the sensation of relaxation. The recreational use of drugs is very dangerous and it will almost always result in addiction.

Signs Of Benzo Addiction

Whenever you are using prescription medication, it’s natural to worry about addiction. If a loved one has been taking any medication for an extended period of time, you need to be on the lookout for signs of addiction. Family members always play an important role in recognizing and preventing addiction. Even if your doctor has prescribed your benzodiazepine and you are adhering to their instructions, it’s still a good idea to be on the lookout for signs of benzo addiction. Here are the warning signs that you or a loved one may be suffering from benzo addiction:

• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Difficulties with relationships at home
• Work and school problems
• Obsession with trying to secure benzos or the money to buy benzos
• Criminal behavior
• Inability to handle basic responsibilities like paying bills

If you notice any of these signs, we highly recommend that you seek treatment from benzodiazepine rehab centers. Feel free to contact us and ask for help.Our kind and welcoming staff will greet you and assist you in getting the help you need.

Signs of Benzo Overdose

In most cases, persons who are suffering from substance use disorder will increase their usage over time. The body will naturally develop a slight resistance to the drug. This means that addicts require an increased dose of benzos to achieve the same high. Over time individuals will consume more and more benzodiazepine, which is a recipe for disaster.

It is also not uncommon for recreational drug users to mix benzos with other substances. Mixing various drugs is extremely dangerous and could easily result in an overdose. Symptoms of benzo overdose can develop quickly, and individuals should seek immediate help. The most common signs of benzo overdose are:

• Trouble breathing
• Blue lips and fingernails
• Blurred or double vision
• Loss of motor function
• A profoundly altered mental state
• Unconsciousness
• Prolonged deep sleep
• Coma
• Hallucinations
• Death

Benzo Detox Recovery At Little Creek

The first steps in overcoming addiction always involve cleansing the body of drugs. This process is known as medical detoxification and it should only be performed under supervision of medical professionals. Detox should be conducted in a licensed benzo addiction treatment center where trained staff can monitor patient’s progress. You can perform your detoxification at our Little Creek treatment center in Pennsylvania, after which you can take part in our benzo rehab programs.

We have already discussed how brutal the withdrawal symptoms of benzos can be. Sometimes, clinicians who are overseeing detox will administer medications to help patients cope with withdrawal. Detox will definitely be the physically hardest part of your benzo rehab journey. However it is a necessary step, after which your true healing can begin.

Benzo Detox Medications

Medically assisted therapy (MAT) is the key to overcoming your benzodiazepine addiction. The detoxification process is physically and mentally challenging; therefore most benzodiazepine rehab centers administer medicine to help patients through detox. Medically assisted therapy combines gradually reduced doses of benzos combined with other medications to ease symptoms of withdrawal. In the Little Creek rehab and detox center, we commonly administer Buspirone and Flumazenil to aid the benzo detoxification process.

Buspirone

Unlike benzodiazepine, Buspirone does not cause physical dependence, making it a good option to ease the effects of withdrawal. It is also commonly used to help individuals who have anxiety and a history of substance use. Keep in mind that Buspirone takes several weeks to take effect. This means that patients can begin MAT while they are gradually lowering their benzos intake.

Flumazenil

Another drug that has shown promising results in benzo addiction treatment is Flumazenil. It was initially used to combat benzo overdose; however, it can also help ease and speed up detoxification. Flumazenil affects the same pleasure centers of the brain as benzodiazepines and forces them out. Caution should still be exercised, since withdrawal symptoms can take a turn for the worse during rapid detoxification.

Rehab For Benzodiazepine Addiction At Little Creek Recovery

Following detoxification, patients can continue their benzo addiction treatment in our Little Creek recovery center located in Lake Ariel. We have developed an effective clinical program for treating addiction to benzos with 3 stages of care. During benzo rehab, our patients will receive different forms of therapy.

We have implemented the three stages of care to help patients overcome the fear and guilt typically associated with addiction. We pride ourselves in creating an intimate setting where our patients can feel welcome and safe. Through a wide variety of programs, we work to empower our patients. During their stay with us patients will learn how to lead sober and successful lives. However, before your rehab can begin, you will first need to go through our admission process.

Admission Process

Asking for help is always the most difficult step in your journey of recovery. Therefore, we have tried to make our admissions process simple and easy. Keep in mind that there are a few criteria for our rehab admissions, most notably that we offer treatment only for adult males. The reasoning behind this decision is multifaceted. Firstly, we wanted to create an environment where men will feel safe to open up about their addiction. Men typically have a harder time talking about their problems without fear of judgment. Additionally, men have higher average addiction rates. For these reasons, we decided to create a mens dedicated treatment facility.

Feel free to visit our rehab admissions page to read up on the criteria for entering our benzodiazepine rehab centers. Our admissions staff will gladly explain how rehab functions at Little Creek and answer any of your questions. After you have gone through the admissions process, you can start your recovery in our facility.

The Duration Of Program

Naturally, before entering benzo addiction treatment, most patients want to know how long they will stay in our facility. Unfortunately, there is no universal answer for the duration of inpatient care. We believe that every individual’s recovery is a unique experience. Luckily, we can give you some rough guidelines.

The minimal amount of stay in our residential facility for the benzo rehab program is 30 days. However, after those 30 days are over, not every patient is ready to transition into outpatient care. Some patients decide to stay in our 60 or 90 day extended care residential programs. Patients need to feel that they have made significant progress through our treatment programs before continuing to outpatient care.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care

When it comes to rehab and recovery, most people get confused about how rehab functions as well as the terminology. We’ve already mentioned that patients need to go through benzo detox before they can attend other therapeutic programs. Now we would like to explain the differences of inpatient and outpatient care in benzodiazepine rehab centers. In order to achieve a successful recovery, we advise all patients to fully complete their programs.

Inpatient care, also known as residential treatment includes a 24/7 supervised stay at our facility in Pennsylvania. This is the initial part of your recovery, which immediately follows detox. During this time, the risk of relapse is the highest, and patients are provided with constant medical attention. Inpatient care provides patients with a supportive environment, allowing them to focus on their personal growth through their therapy.

When patients successfully complete their inpatient programs, they can progress to outpatient care. Outpatient rehab is centered on empowering patients and helping them to re-integrate back into society. We offer flexible outpatient programs, which allows patients to resume their daily lives. However, patients still need to take part in therapeutic sessions several days a week.

Certain patients feel like they need more support during their outpatient programs. Transitioning back into work and school life can be stressful, and sometimes patients decide to attend intensive outpatient programs. Not every individual will require inpatient treatment, and intensive outpatient care can provide the right level of support. Unlike our inpatient programs, outpatient care at Little Creek is co-ed, meaning that it is open to women as well.

Aftercare

We provide our patients with a sober living environment during their stay at Little Creek lodge. However, our main goal is to help patients learn how to lead a sober life after they leave our facility. During their stay, we will teach patients the necessary skills they will need to cope with real-life stressful situations. Our patients will develop a routine filled with healthy habits they can always fall back on.

One thing most people fail to understand is that sobriety is a lifelong goal. Even after you complete your programs, there are surely going to be difficult days where you are struggling to cope. This is nothing to be ashamed of, everyone struggles at some point. All you need to remember is that you can ask for help. We are here to provide continued care for our patients through our aftercare program. We can teach you how to deal with past mistakes as well as how to develop a strong support network.

Why Little Creek Recovery

At Little Creek Recovery center in Pennsylvania, we believe that every patient has the opportunity to recover with the right support. We’ve designed our care on a 12 step recovery program which in addition to other reality based therapies. One of our most popular and successful programs is our music therapy.

Long term addiction can cause changes in brain chemistry that stifle creativity and imagination. One of the best ways to restore the natural balance in brain chemistry is by restarting one’s imagination. Taking part in creative therapy, such as music and art therapy can ignite your creative spirit. Patients who are going through recovery will be faced with complex emotions which they might have trouble expressing. Creative therapy can represent the perfect means of self-exploration, and art can serve as a great outlet for your emotions.

To achieve a full recovery, patients also need to activate their bodies and re-discover a sense of adventure. We offer engaging outdoor programs which are intended to stimulate your physical recovery. Through proper nutrition, exercise and fun outdoor activities, our patients can start to rebuild their bodies. Our adventure therapy programs have shown amazing results in the healing and recovery of our patients. Start your adventure and discover how fulfilling a sober life can be at Little Creek Recovery Center.

Learn More About Benzodiazepine Addiction And Recovery

Healing your body and your mind is just one goal of rehab. An equally important task is teaching patients the necessary skills to be self-sufficient and to maintain their sobriety. For this reason, we try to provide our patients with all of the necessary resources. Our website has plenty of online resources if you want to learn more about addiction and our treatment programs. You can educate yourself and stay informed in order to improve your chances of overcoming addiction.

During the admissions process we receive a lot of questions regarding insurance. Obviously, people calling to inquire regarding rehab want to know if the costs of treatment will be covered by insurance. While you can use insurance to help pay the costs of rehab at Little Creek Recovery there are certain considerations. There are many differences between insurance providers and available policies. This means it’s extremely difficult to give a universal answer regarding which benefits and services will be covered by insurance. Fortunately, we have a detailed article explaining insurance coverage, so that you can learn about different types of coverage. Alternatively, you can feel free to call us, and we will be happy to explain what your insurance can cover.

Contact Our Rehab For Benzodiazepine Addiction Today

We hope that you have a better understanding of the process of recovery for benzodiazepine addiction at our facility. If you want to live a drug-free life, feel free to contact Little Creek Recovery today! We would be more than happy to answer any of your questions and to help you achieve a sober life. If you want us to be a part of your recovery, you just need to contact us.