Benzodiazepines, often prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions, can become addictive when misused. While these medications can be effective when used as directed, they also carry a high risk of dependence and addiction. At Keys Behavioral Health, we offer specialized treatment programs designed to help individuals overcome their addiction to benzodiazepines and regain control of their lives. Our approach combines evidence-based practices, compassionate care, and personalized treatment plans to support lasting recovery.
Benzodiazepines, often referred to as "benzos," are a class of prescription medications primarily used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. They are also sometimes used during alcohol withdrawal to ease symptoms. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of a neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has a calming effect on the nervous system. This makes users feel more relaxed, less anxious, and often sleepy.
Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin). While effective for short-term use, these medications can be highly addictive, especially when misused or taken over long periods. Physical dependence can develop quickly, and stopping use abruptly can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, tremors, and seizures.
Because of their potential for dependence and abuse, benzodiazepines are typically prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. When misused—such as taking higher doses than prescribed, combining them with alcohol or opioids, or using them recreationally—benzos can cause serious health risks, including sedation, memory loss, respiratory depression, and in severe cases, death.
Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and panic disorders, but when misused, they can become highly addictive and dangerous. While they offer short-term relief from stress and nervousness, long-term use or recreational misuse often leads to dependence. Addiction to benzodiazepines develops when the brain and body begin to rely on the drug to function normally, making it difficult to quit without professional help. The dangers go far beyond physical dependence—benzodiazepine addiction affects every aspect of a person’s health, emotions, and relationships.
Benzodiazepine addiction places immense stress on the body, especially the nervous system. Over time, the brain reduces its natural production of calming chemicals like GABA, which means the body becomes unable to regulate stress or anxiety without the drug. This creates a dangerous cycle where users need higher doses to feel the same effect, increasing the risk of overdose. Overdosing on benzodiazepines can lead to extreme drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, and even death—especially when combined with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol or opioids.
Physical dependence also brings severe withdrawal symptoms. People who try to stop “cold turkey” often experience symptoms such as muscle cramps, heart palpitations, nausea, tremors, and seizures—some of which can be life-threatening. Unlike many other substances, benzodiazepine withdrawal can take weeks or even months to fully subside, especially after prolonged use. Users may find themselves in a constant state of physical discomfort and vulnerability, making relapse more likely without proper medical supervision and support.
Psychologically, benzodiazepine addiction can be devastating. Although initially used to manage anxiety or sleep issues, prolonged use often worsens the very conditions it was meant to treat. Over time, users may develop intense rebound anxiety, depression, or even panic attacks when the drug wears off. Mood swings, irritability, and emotional numbness are also common, making it hard for individuals to feel connected to their environment or loved ones.
Cognitive function can also be severely impaired. Long-term use of benzodiazepines has been linked to memory problems, poor concentration, and difficulty with decision-making. Some users experience brain fog that makes everyday tasks feel overwhelming. As mental clarity fades, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts may surface. The emotional instability caused by benzodiazepine addiction not only makes recovery harder but also further isolates individuals from those who care about them.
The social toll of benzodiazepine addiction is equally destructive. As the addiction deepens, individuals may begin to withdraw from family, friends, and social responsibilities. They may miss work or school, neglect important commitments, and isolate themselves to hide their use. Trust is often broken in relationships, especially when individuals lie, manipulate, or behave unpredictably in order to maintain their habit.
Financial and legal problems often follow. Prescription fraud, doctor shopping, or buying pills illegally can lead to criminal charges, job loss, and mounting debt. A once-stable life can quickly unravel, leaving the individual in social and economic distress. The stigma surrounding addiction can make it even harder to seek help, leading many to suffer in silence. In the end, benzodiazepine addiction doesn’t just affect the person taking the drug—it ripples out to impact everyone around them, often with lasting consequences.
Recognizing the signs of benzodiazepine addiction can be challenging, especially since these drugs are often legally prescribed. One of the earliest indicators is increasing tolerance—needing higher or more frequent doses to achieve the same calming effect. Individuals may begin taking the medication outside of prescribed guidelines, such as doubling doses or using it more often than directed. Doctor shopping or seeking multiple prescriptions is also a common behavior, as users attempt to maintain a steady supply. This growing reliance on the drug can quietly evolve into a serious dependency before it becomes outwardly obvious.
Behavioral changes are another clear red flag. People addicted to benzodiazepines may appear increasingly withdrawn, disoriented, or unmotivated. They might struggle to stay awake, slur their speech, or experience coordination problems. Mood swings, irritability, or sudden bursts of anxiety when the drug isn’t available are also signs of addiction. Responsibilities at work, school, or home are often neglected, and individuals may lose interest in hobbies or social activities they once enjoyed. Over time, they may prioritize drug use above all else, even at the cost of personal relationships and health.
Psychological symptoms also emerge as addiction deepens. Memory issues, confusion, and poor concentration are common cognitive effects of long-term use. Users may experience heightened anxiety, panic, or even paranoia between doses—symptoms that the medication was originally meant to treat. Insomnia, depression, and emotional numbness can further complicate their mental state. Despite these negative outcomes, individuals continue using the drug, feeling unable to function without it. This cycle of dependence and denial is a key hallmark of benzodiazepine addiction, often requiring professional intervention to break.
Fentanyl addiction is intense and complex, but it is treatable with a well-rounded and medically guided approach. Due to its extreme potency and the severity of withdrawal symptoms, attempting to quit fentanyl "cold turkey" is both dangerous and rarely successful. Effective treatment requires a combination of medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapy, and ongoing support.
Detoxification is often the first and most physically challenging phase of treatment. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can bring intense symptoms like nausea, muscle aches, chills, anxiety, and powerful cravings. For many, attempting detox alone is dangerous and overwhelming. At Keys Behavioral Health, we offer detox placement services.
Medically Supervised Detox: Taking place in hospitals or specialized centers, these programs ensure patients are monitored and supported as they go through withdrawal. Medical staff may administer medications to ease symptoms and prevent complications.
Medication-Assisted Detox: Doctors may prescribe medications such as buprenorphine to lessen the intensity of withdrawal and make detox more manageable.
Tapering Off: Some individuals gradually reduce their drug intake under medical guidance to minimize withdrawal discomfort and reduce shock to the body.
MAT is widely recognized as one of the most effective strategies for treating drug addiction. It combines prescription medications with behavioral therapies to help individuals regain control.
Methadone: A long-acting opioid that satisfies the body’s cravings without producing the high, helping to ease withdrawal and reduce the risk of relapse.
Diazepam: This longer-acting benzodiazepine is sometimes used to help manage withdrawal symptoms more gradually.
Buprenorphine: Often used during and after detox, this medication reduces withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.
MAT significantly lowers the chances of overdose and improves treatment retention, especially when combined with ongoing therapy and a supportive environment.
Therapy is an essential part of addiction treatment, helping individuals uncover the root causes of their drug use and develop healthier coping strategies.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach helps patients identify and change harmful thought patterns that lead to drug use.
Contingency Management (CM): This strategy rewards positive behaviors like staying clean with incentives or privileges.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Therapists use open, empathetic conversations to help individuals find internal motivation for change.
Family and Group Therapy: Addiction often damages relationships. Family sessions can help rebuild trust and improve communication, while group therapy fosters a sense of community and reduces feelings of isolation.
Individual Therapy: One-on-one counseling sessions provide a safe space to explore past trauma, mental health issues, and emotional challenges in a personalized way.
Since benzodiazepine addiction is a chronic illness, maintaining recovery requires ongoing effort and strategies to handle potential setbacks. Relapse doesn’t mean failure—it simply indicates the need to revisit or adjust the treatment approach.
Support groups offer powerful reinforcement by connecting individuals with others who understand their struggles firsthand.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA): A 12-step program focused on spiritual growth, self-responsibility, and community support.
Non-12-Step Options: Programs like SMART Recovery, and LifeRing offer science-based, secular alternatives.
Benefits of Peer Support: Sharing stories and strategies with others facing similar battles helps reduce isolation and keeps motivation high.
Long-term success depends on embracing a healthier lifestyle that nurtures both the body and mind.
Establishing a Routine: Structured days with regular meals, exercise, and sleep help maintain balance and stability.
Physical Wellness: Regular workouts release feel-good endorphins that boost mood, while proper nutrition supports brain and body repair.
Stress Management: Practices like meditation, journaling, yoga, or creative hobbies offer healthy ways to process emotions and avoid relapse.
Avoiding Triggers: Recognizing and staying away from people, places, or situations that spark cravings is crucial for sustained sobriety.
Benzodiazepine addiction is a challenging and multifaceted condition, but recovery is absolutely possible. Through a combination of medical treatments, therapeutic support, and lifestyle changes, individuals can break free from the grip of addiction and reclaim their lives. With patience, persistence, and the right help, the path to healing becomes not just a possibility, but a reality.
Here are just a handful of things you can expect to receive from our team:
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, don’t wait to get help. Contact us today for addiction treatment in Tewksbury, MA.
