New Beginnings Detox: Benzodiazepine Addiction Detox Program Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

Now you can detox from benzodiazepines on an Out-Patient basis. Many people unwittingly have become dependent on benzodiazepine prescription medications prescribed by seemingly well intentioned doctors. Some have become dependent after using Xanax® acquired on the street. Whatever your case may be, benzodiazepine dependency can be a harrowing experience and coming off them a lengthy and painful ordeal if not managed by experienced medical professionals.

NBD utilizes the Heather Ashton Protocols for benzodiazepine detoxification. We have found this method to be the safest and most comfortable option for withdrawal.

Possibly you have been diagnosed with various mental illnesses. Possibly your doctor has added other medications trying to address your condition. Maybe the problem is that you have become dependent on benzodiazepines and you have been in a chronic state of withdrawal. You could have acquired a tolerance and never increased your dosage.

New Beginnings Detox [NBD] offers benzodiazepine detoxification program on an Out-Patient basis. Discontinuing benzodiazepine use without medical supervision can produce seizures and convulsions, which can be life threatening and just plain miserable. Withdrawal from benzodiazepine use and abuse can be extremely uncomfortable and downright dangerous if not properly managed.

Previously, benzodiazepine detoxification was typically performed

in a hospital setting. We regularly detox patients without a confining and costly hospital stay. Some very acute (e.g. - extremely high levels of benzos taken daily) benzodiazepine patients may not be appropriate for the Out-Patient level of care. In those cases, patients have the option to be admitted to a local hospital where the patient can be safely stabilized and tapered over the course of 2-3 days then our Out-Patient care can commence.

In some cases, NBD may require a family member or "significant other" to be a part of the benzodiazepine detox process. This person is important in providing support, administering medications and aiding in supervising the patient at home. This is considered on a case by case basis.

A preliminary assessment by telephone or in person is conducted and the patient is evaluated to determine if they are eligible for the Out-Patient program. The various treatment options, length of treatment, and the fee structure are all discussed. We take into consideration a patient's complete history including length of usage, quantities used, past abuse if applicable, physical aspects and general health when preparing the medication protocol. The treatment plan is highly individualized and great care is take to determine the appropriate treatment path. We welcome the family to be a part of this process and we take whatever time is necessary address any concerns the patient and family may have.

The detoxification process begins with a complete medical history and physical examination. This may include a laboratory analysis and urine toxicology screen.

A medication protocol is written that is based on the result of the initial interview and assessment. This protocol outlines the taper schedule to be followed during treatment. We can never know in advance exactly how long this detoxification process will be. Our clinicians remain a part of the multi-disciplinary team that cares for the patient throughout detoxification.

The Taper Phase is the process of slowly reducing (tapering) the benzodiazepine over time. Additional medications may be prescribed to address any symptoms that may occur as a result of this tapering.

NOTE: Benzodiazepine detoxification can be difficult and in some cases impossible when attempting to accomplish the detox in a short period of time. If you have been on benzodiazepines for any significant length of time, then the detox could take many months. Benzodiazepines were designed to be used for a 2-4 week period of time. Longer usage produces tolerance to the drug. Continued use and tolerance can result in dependency.

Patience will be the key to getting completely free from this dependency. The goal of treatment is to taper at a pace that does not compromise safety and comfort. You will have daily access to staff by telephone and email throughout your detox.

All patients have the option to attend an individual and group Out-Patient counseling program while in detox. Therapy is provided by a team of experienced licensed Certified Addiction Professionals.

Xanax® (Alprazolam) is a prescription tranquilizer which depresses the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. Xanax® has found its way from pharmacies to drug dealers, and is being abused by young, healthy people who want to get high. These club-hopping, twenty-something, casual "Xannie poppers" are using the drug in combination with other stimulants, from alcohol to cocaine.

Valium® (Diazepam) is a benzodiazepine with properties of being a sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant drug. Valium® is generally used to treat short term moderate to severe anxiety or insomnia. The drug has been shown to lead to the development of tolerance, physiological and psychological dependency when used for long periods.

Klonopin® (Clonazepam) is sometimes used recreationally, when used for this function they are often referred to by the slang term "clammies", or "Klonnies" most commonly as a secondary drug to increase the pleasure resulting from a primary drug, or possibly to lessen or prevent some of the primary drug's negative side effects.

Although Rohypnol® (Flunitrazepam) has become widely known in USA for its use as a date-rape drug, it is used more frequently as a recreational drug. It is used by high school and college students, rave party attendees, and heroin and cocaine users (who call a dose of flunitrazepam a "roofie") for recreational purposes. Long-term use of flunitrazepam can result in psychological and physical dependence and the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued.

MOOD

Aggression

Anger

Agitation

Anxiety

Apathy

Crying

Feeling weepy

Deep depression

Despair

Fear of dying

Feeling emotional

Feeling frightened

Feeling hopeless

Frustration

Gloom and doom

Inability to appreciate humor

Inability to feel emotions

Inability to feel joy

Inability to feel pleasure

Irrational fears

Irrational rage

Irritability

Loneliness

Low mood

Nervousness

Obsessive thoughts

Overwhelmed feeling

Rapid mood fluctuations

Sensitive feelings

Sudden sadness

Terror

Void of normal emotions

MENTAL STATUS

Difficulty in distracting oneself

Feeling disconnected

Feeling drugged

Feeling freaked out

Feeling like zombie

Feeling numb

Feeling scared

Feeling that you're just going crazy

Feeling unreal

Getting worried over small things

Hallucinations

Horrid visions

Images and songs keep repeating in mind

Inability to relax or sit still

Intrusive thoughts

Jumpiness

Loss of sense of identity

Misperceptions

Morbid thoughts

Morning madness

Not knowing who you are

Obsessive and compulsive thinking

Overwhelming feeling that you are going to die

Pacing

Panic attacks

Paranoia

Racing thoughts

Reduced stress tolerance

Suicide attempts

Suicidal thoughts

Thinking you are mentally ill

Unwarranted feelings of guilt

Visual hallucinations

Vivid dreams

Weird thinking

Wired feeling

EYES and EARS

Bloodshot eyes

Blurry vision

Difficulty seeing

Drooped eyelids

Dry eyes

Eye twitching

Flashes of light in the eyes

Fuzzy eyes

Glassy eyes

Impaired vision

Occasional right eye pain

Pressure in the inner ear and outer ear

Red burning eyes

Sore eyes

Swollen eyes

Tearing eyes

Uncontrolled eye movement

Visual distortions preceding a migraine

BEHAVIORAL

Constant need to be occupied

Avoiding friends and people

Inability to occupy oneself

CARDIOVASCULAR

Chest pains

Fast heartbeat

Heart palpitations

Heart pounding

Low blood pressure

Premature ventricular contractions

(irregular heart beats)

Pulsating all over my body(also visible)

Pulse thudding Racing heart

Severe pain chest

Skipping heart beats

Tightness in chest

VISUAL PERCEPTUAL

Derealisation

Depersonalization

Distortion of body image

Feeling like legs and arms are not attached to body

PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS

Auditory hallucinations

Catatonic episodes

Compulsive suicidal ideation

Confusion

Delusional thinking

Disorientation

Formication (sensation that I had fleas/spiders

crawling over me)

COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS

Can't do tasks like make food

Difficulty reading

Difficulty thinking

Forgetting names of family members

Hard time with words

Impaired cognitive skills

Impaired communication skills

Inability to focus

Inability to function

Inability to learn

Jumbled thoughts

Lack of concentration

Memory and comprehension problems

Poor judgment

Poor memory

Short-term memory problems

Slow thinking processes

Spaciness

MUSCULAR SYMPTOMS

All muscles moving

All muscle tone feels flaccid

Body feels twisted

Cranial tightness

Difficulty walking due to weakness and shaking

Face spasms

Inner tension

Inner vibrations

Jaw clenching (can't open or close mouth properly due to the spasms and pain)

Jaw Spasms

Legs and arms shake

Muscle twitching

Muscle spasms

Rigidness and jerks

Muscle aches

Muscle cramping

Muscle tension

Muscle wasting

Muscle weakness (especially in the arms and hands)

Jelly legs

Restless legs

Stiff arms and legs

Stiff muscles

Stiffness in back

Teeth chattering

Tension in neck

Tight achy muscles

Tight jaw and temple

Tight head

Tight muscles in left leg

Tight muscles in neck and shoulders

Trembling and shaking

Tremors

Weakness

NERVES

All nerves firing off

Ankles reflexes diminished

EYES AND VISION

Eye fluttering and twitching

Eye pain

Pain in eyes

URINARY

Difficulty urinating

JOINTS

Joint pain

GASTROINTESTINAL

Bloating

Constipation

Choking

Diarrhea

Dry heaving

Fast and fine vibrations of the stomach

Gas

Knot in stomach

Loss of appetite

and weight loss

Mal absorption

Nausea and vomiting

Severe pain in stomach

Slow heart rate

Swelling-bloating

Tachycardia

Weight gain

MOUTH

Acid reflux

Dental pain (tooth pain)

Dry mouth

Sore tongue

Metallic taste

Sore gums

Sore mouth

Too much saliva

SENSORY

Brain nerve pain

Burning feet and legs

Buzzing throughout body

Chills

"Electric shock" sensations

Electric static shooting around body

Food doesn't have much taste

Head sensations

Heavy sensation in forehead and eyes

Heightened sense of smell

Hypersensitivity to light

Hypersensitivity to odors

Hypersensitivity to sound

Hypersensitivity to stimuli

Intense burning head/brain

Intense burning scalp

Intense burning spine

Itchy head and face

Numbness and tingling in face

Numbness and tingling in feet

Numbness and tingling in hands

Numb area on bottom of left foot

Numbness in arms

Numbness in face and left side

Numbness in fingers

Numbness in head

Numb right foot

Numbness in lip and tongue

Pins and needles

Sensory disruption

Soapy taste in mouth

Stabbing pains in limbs

Tingling on scalp

Tinnitus

SENSITIVITY

Chemical sensitivity

Cold extremities

Creepy crawlies on hands and arms

Feel cold even in hot weather

Food sensitivity

Intolerance to cold and heat

Intolerance to music

Photosensitivity

Sensitive to music

Sensitive to loud noises

Sensitive to light and stress

Sensitivity to smells

Very cold especially hands and feet

There are still more symptoms..