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You may know about opioid addiction and withdrawal, but what do you know about benzodiazepines (or benzos)? Have you been prescribed medications like Xanax or Valium for anxiety, but suddenly find yourself physically distraught when not taking them? Do you have the urge to keep using these drugs, even without a prescription or post-treatment? This may be a sign of benzo addiction, and you may be experiencing the signs of benzo withdrawal without realizing it.

Like many substances, suddenly stopping your benzo use can be uncomfortable and extremely dangerous. Along with a higher risk of relapse, withdrawal can include severe physical and mental symptoms that can be fatal if left uncontrolled. That’s why it’s crucial to know the signs of benzo withdrawal, so you can get the help you need before it’s too late.

Our experienced medical providers are experts in assisting patients with benzo detox and withdrawal management, and they’ve provided their 5 main signs that you’re experiencing benzo withdrawal.

Benzo addiction is a sneakier one, so this is an important guide to identifying the dangers of withdrawal and getting the medical attention you need.

All About Benzos: A General Overview

Before getting into the signs of benzo withdrawal, you need to know what they are. Many people don’t realize they’re even taking benzos and therefore can’t identify an addiction properly. 

Benzos are a type of psychoactive depressant that treat diseases like Tourette’s, epilepsy, anxiety and panic disorders, and depression. They produce sedation and hypnosis, and they typically go by their generic brand name.

You may have been prescribed one without realizing it; maybe you’ve been prescribed Xanax to help with your panic attacks or Ativan to manage your seizures. Some other benzos you may have heard of include:

• Xanax: used for anxiety and depressive disorders.

• Ativan: a sedative used for anxiety and seizure disorders.

• Librium: used for anxiety, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and tremors.

• Valium: used for anxiety, muscle spasm, and seizures.

• Klonopin: used for panic disorders and seizures.

• Restoril: used for insomnia.

Because they’re such a broad class of drugs and more accessible than other pills, it’s easier to miss the signs of addiction, which is why it’s necessary to identify the right signs of benzo withdrawal.

5 Dangerous Signs of Benzo Withdrawal

After becoming dependent on benzos, a person feels like they cannot operate normally without them. Stopping use or suddenly reducing the tolerated dose often leads directly to benzo withdrawal symptoms.

It’s important to note that withdrawal symptoms depend heavily on the circumstances surrounding the user’s benzo history. The current dose, length of abuse, use with other substances, history of substance abuse, and detoxing from multiple substances can worsen withdrawal symptoms.

With that, we’ve identified 5 important and dangerous signs of benzo withdrawal that you should be mindful of, especially when prescribed these medications.

1. Psychosis & Feelings of “Unreality”

Benzos are a depressant that induces a hypnosis-like state, so when you stop using them suddenly, you can feel like there’s a “shift” in your reality. This is what’s called psychosis, and it can lead to dangerous, unstable behaviors if left unchecked.

If you start to feel like your life is “not real” or experience heightened anxiety and paranoia, this could be a sign of psychosis caused by benzo withdrawal. Be sure to get medical help immediately if this sign arises.

2. Hallucinations & Delusions

Going alongside psychosis, benzo withdrawal can cause hallucinations and delusions that the user may not even be aware of. Benzos target the brain’s nervous system to reduce the overactive chemicals that cause stress and anxiety, so suddenly stopping them can cause sudden overactivity, which leads to these hallucinations and delusions.

For instance, you may suddenly start seeing figures that aren’t there, hearing voices when no one’s speaking, or believing that you’re in unexplainable danger. This is an incredibly frightening sign of benzo withdrawal that can result in erratic behavior if left untreated.

3. Flu-Like Aches & Pains

A physical sign of benzo withdrawal is flu-like symptoms, including muscle aches and pains that are unpleasant. Some other flu-like symptoms from benzo withdrawal include nausea and vomiting, which are common for a lot of drug withdrawal symptoms.

This is an important sign of benzo withdrawal that can lead to health issues if also neglected, including dangerous weight loss and tremors. If you’re not “sick” but have cold-like symptoms, it may be a result of benzo withdrawal that should be addressed.

4. Presence of Seizures

Benzos like Valium and Klonopin are used to treat seizures and epilepsy by targeting certain neurons in the brain that activate seizures. So, when you suddenly stop taking benzos, your body doesn’t adjust properly, and it can trigger an increase in seizures.

However, this sign doesn’t just occur for people taking benzos for seizures; it’s possible to happen to anyone experiencing benzo withdrawal, even if they’ve never had a seizure before. These are highly dangerous and require medical attention, as they can be fatal when left untreated.

If you’ve never had a seizure and suddenly experience them, or if you’re being treated for epilepsy and suddenly start having them again, it could be a sign of withdrawal.

5. Suicidal Ideation & Behaviors

Benzos are also taken for anxiety, depression, and insomnia, which can help those who are susceptible to suicidal ideation. However, when you suddenly stop taking benzos, the chemicals in your brain managing that anxiety and depression kick into overdrive, and you may start having suicidal thoughts.

Suicidal ideation, behavior, and attempts are heartbreaking experiences that affect not just the person but their loved ones. If you’re suddenly having suicidal thoughts when not taking benzos, it could be a sign of withdrawal that needs help immediately.

Manage the Signs of Benzo Withdrawal Under Medical Supervision

It’s absolutely crucial to remember to never detox from benzos on your own or quit the drug “cold turkey,” as it’s incredibly dangerous and potentially lethal. This also goes for any type of withdrawal, including alcohol or opioids; benzos are no different.

At Master Center, we offer an outpatient benzo detox program that promotes relapse prevention techniques using counseling and therapy. Regardless of where you go, the most important thing is to undergo benzo detox with a medical professional and supervision, whether that’s at an inpatient or outpatient facility. Any drug withdrawal can be deadly, so get medical attention immediately.

Getting Help for Benzo Withdrawal & Addiction

Benzos are a common yet highly addictive medication that accounts for thousands of overdoses and addiction cases yearly. When you’re experiencing benzo withdrawal, the effects can be frightening, dangerous, and lethal, and detox should never be done alone.

But you don’t have to go through the experience alone. With a dozen providers here at Master Center experienced in benzo withdrawal management, we can help you detox safely without the expense and disruption of detoxing in an inpatient facility. In our benzo detox program, you have access to additional services that can help you overcome addiction.

If you or someone you know is experiencing benzo addiction and benzo withdrawal, schedule an appointment with us to get started on detox as early as today.

About Master Center

Master Center is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.

Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.