Every individual who has become addicted to or misused a benzodiazepine, including drugs like Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, and Lorazepam, will have varying reactions during their benzo detox process. Some people will only require a few weeks of detox, while others may need several months of careful withdrawal management.
Treatment Must Be Individualized
Since everyone progresses at their own pace during the benzo detox process, it cannot be rushed or managed in an overly standardized way. At Scottsdale’s Purpose Healing Center, our affiliated medical professionals always work directly with our patients to create an individualized plan to facilitate their recovery.
What Is A General Withdrawal Process Timeline?
While highly variable, a withdrawal timeline from any benzodiazepine can include the following:
Days 1 – 3: Initially, the brain and body will essentially fight to eliminate the benzo. It’s possible to feel withdrawal symptoms within as little as six hours from the last dose. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, and increased anxiety.
Days 4 – 7: Symptoms are likely to lessen. And while cravings may persist, in many cases the worst has passed. It is possible to begin feeling a sense of exhaustion, but many of the most intense withdrawal symptoms are frequently diminished at this time.
Days 8 – 14: At this point, psychological symptoms like anxiety and irritability can increase. This may overlap with insomnia and disturbed sleep, as well as existing physical symptoms.
Days 15 – 28: Intermittent symptoms that occurred during the second week of benzodiazepine detox can still come and go at this time, but the drugs that were ingested should be entirely eliminated from the body during this period.
What Affects Duration of Withdrawal?
There are no two timelines that are identical between individuals. Timeline’s lasts for various durations, and are dependent on factors including the following:
Professional Setting – The safest way to detox from benzo addiction is under the supervision of medical professionals. This is most often best accomplished with the help of a dedicated drug addiction treatment center or rehab facility in Phoenix, versus a standard Arizona hospital.
Dosage – Higher dosages frequently require longer detox periods than lower doses.
Length of Addiction – Similar to dosage, the longer an addict is has been using the drug, the longer the detox period will likely be.
Unique Chemistry – Because an individual’s body and brain chemistry is highly unique, some addicts will simply have an easier or more difficult experience during detox.
