Benzo Addiction Treatment in Nashville, TN
Julie Bilbrey
Medically Reviewed by Julie Bilbrey
April 24, 2024
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Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, can become a beneficial part of improving a person’s mental health. Unfortunately, people can also develop a reliance on them that becomes an addiction. When this happens, they need to enter a formal treatment program to help them overcome it. Nashville Treatment Solutions created a benzo addiction treatment program in Tennessee that empowers people to become substance-free again. We provide detox as well as the next levels of care, all on an outpatient basis. People who attend our programs learn to fight the urge to relapse and can leave benzo abuse in their pasts.
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Nashville Treatment Solutions is an industry leader in addiction treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs classified as Schedule IV controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration. These drugs attach to the receptors in a person’s brain, which affects the central nervous system. Benzos are frequently prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and depression. They also help treat some sleep disorders and seizures.
Benzos carry a risk of someone becoming addicted to them, especially if they have a history of multi-substance abuse. A report by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health stated that in the previous year, 30.6 million adults in the U.S. used benzos as prescribed. Additionally, another 5.3 million people reported misusing this type of drug. Once someone becomes addicted, they will require benzo addiction treatment.
Most Commonly Abused Benzos
People obtain benzodiazepines one of two ways: a prescription in their name or by getting them illegally. The latter includes taking benzos given to them by friends or family, or by purchasing them from drug dealers. The five benzos that are both the most commonly prescribed and the most popular illicitly obtained ones are:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Temazepam (Restoril)
How Benzo Addiction Treatment Works
Benzo addiction treatment can be complex to treat. Benzo withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and those who are looking to get sober should not attempt to detox on their own. Here’s how our benzo addiction treatment program in Nashville works:
Assessment: The first step in any treatment process is a comprehensive evaluation to understand the individual’s needs and circumstances. This involves identifying the specific benzodiazepine in use, the duration of use, the dosage, as well as other factors like mental health issues, social circumstances, and overall physical health.
Medical Detoxification: Benzodiazepines should never be discontinued abruptly due to the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures. Medical detoxification usually takes place under the supervision of healthcare professionals, who can gradually reduce the dosage over time to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. This process, often called tapering, should be customized to the individual’s needs.
Counseling and Behavioral Therapies: Once the individual has been safely detoxed, therapy can help address the underlying issues that led to substance abuse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used, helping individuals to recognize, avoid, and cope with situations in which they are most likely to abuse drugs.
Medication: In some cases, medication may be used to help manage withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or co-occurring mental health issues. This should always be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Support Groups and Recovery Programs: Peer support can play a crucial role in recovery. Many people find that joining a support group or a 12-step program such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can provide ongoing encouragement and strategies for maintaining sobriety.
Aftercare and Ongoing Management: Addiction is a chronic condition, and managing it often requires ongoing care. This can involve regular check-ins with healthcare providers, ongoing therapy or counseling, and continued participation in support groups.
As always, treatment should be individualized to meet the specific needs of the patient. It’s also important to remember that relapse is common and is not a sign of failure, but rather an indication that treatment may need to be adjusted.
Signs and Symptoms of Benzo Addiction
When someone is in need of benzo addiction treatment, they will experience signs and symptoms. The most common ones include:
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Oversleeping
- Lethargy
- Slurred speech
- Slowed breathing and reflexes
- Cognitive Difficulties
- Tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Poor judgement and engaging in risky behavior
- Loss of coordination
- Developing a tolerance and needing to increase the dosage
- Using someone else's benzos
- Doctor shopping (obtaining prescriptions from multipole physicians)
- Using benzos with other drugs or alcohol
- Depression
- Moodiness
BENZO ADDICTION TREATMENT TIMELINE
How Long Does Benzo Addiction Treatment Last?
How Benzo Addiction is Treated in Nashville, TN
Nashville Treatment Solutions offers several levels of care to meet a wide variety of needs of a diverse population. When someone comes to us for help, we perform a thorough assessment so we understand the details of their addiction and what services will best suit their needs. The programs we offer for benzo addiction treatment are:
Detox: At Nashville Treatment Solutions, we’re partnered with multiple detoxes. This allows a person to come in for detox treatment during the day and return home at night. This allows them to avoid putting their lives on hold by moving into a residential facility. We provide prescription medication to help minimize withdrawal symptoms during the all-important first days of getting off benzos.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): PHP provides 30 hours a week or more of focused therapy sessions that help bridge the gap between detox and moving to step-down treatment programs. A real foundation for understanding recovery and learning how to stay sober is established during PHP.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): At our IOP, participants attend several therapy sessions per week. They continue with some of the treatment modalities from PHP but with less of a time commitment required.
Outpatient Program (OP): Outpatient includes weekly individual and group therapy sessions to help people stay on track with recovery. OP can be attended after completing a PHP or IOP program.
Begin Treatment for Benzo Addiction in Nashville, Tennessee
Have you reached a point where you can’t stop abusing benzodiazepine drugs and want help? Nashville Treatment Solutions understands the steps it takes to overcome addiction and start your life over. We provide a detox program and other outpatient treatment programs that help you conquer a substance use disorder. Our compassionate, highly experienced staff of therapists and medical professionals guide you through each step to reclaiming your physical and mental health. You will once again be able to live a drug-free life.
For more information on getting started on our benzo addiction treatment program, contact us now.
