Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment in Asheville

Treating Benzo Abuse & Addiction in North Carolina

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Benzodiazepines are a group of medications collectively known as tranquilizers. They include popular prescription drugs like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium. Often prescribed to treat anxiety, panic, and sleep disorders, benzodiazepines are highly addictive and can quickly lead to increased tolerance and dependency.

If you believe that you or someone you love is struggling with benzodiazepine abuse or addiction, know that help is available. Many people who seek professional drug addiction treatment learn to successfully manage triggers, control cravings, and achieve long-term sobriety. At Carolina Recovery Solutions, we offer customized care and integrated, whole-person solutions for those who are struggling to overcome addiction. From the initial intake and detox process through intensive outpatient treatment, and aftercare, our team will be there for you every step of the way, helping you develop the tools and skills you need to succeed.

To learn more about out benzodiazepine addiction treatment program in Asheville, contact us today at (828) 383-8328. We are happy to answer your questions and provide the information you need.

What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines, often referred to as “benzos,” comprise a group of medications known as tranquilizers. Tranquilizers are depressants, meaning they slow bodily functions and processes. Benzodiazepines primarily affect the central nervous system, causing general sedation, muscle relaxation, and reduced anxiety. There are various types of benzodiazepines classified by how quickly they take effect and how long those effects last.

Some of the most commonly prescribed/used benzodiazepines in the U.S. include:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Clorazepate (Tranxene)
• Oxazepam (Serax)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Midazolam (Versed)
• Triazolam (Halcion)

Benzodiazepines are used to treat a wide range of anxiety disorders, panic disorders, sleep disorders, seizures, and other health conditions. They are also used as muscle relaxants and anesthesia and can even be used to medically treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and detox.

How Does Benzodiazepine Addiction Form?

Because benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed in the United States, addiction usually begins with lawful use. However, in some cases, individuals may begin taking benzodiazepines without a prescription. In any case, taking benzos often produces a mild euphoric high and eases uncomfortable symptoms associated with the numerous medical conditions they are used to treat.

Over time, individuals may find that they have an increased tolerance, meaning they require more of the drug to achieve those same effects. This is known as “tolerance.” As tolerance grows, so does an individual’s dependency on the drug. Someone is dependent when they begin to experience withdrawal symptoms when not taking the substance, such as anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, irritability, nausea, nightmares, depression, tremors, and muscle tension. This can drive the individual to continue taking the drug to manage these symptoms, ultimately leading to addiction.

Signs of Benzodiazepine Abuse

Benzodiazepine abuse is dangerous, as it can lead to addiction and overdose. Typically, individuals struggling with benzodiazepine addiction will also experience numerous physical, emotional, mental, and financial consequences that affect their livelihoods, relationships, and lives.

Some of the side effects of benzodiazepine abuse include:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• Weakness
• Lack of coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Coma

High doses of benzodiazepines can be fatal, as can mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol and other substances. It is absolutely critical that anyone experiencing a benzodiazepine overdose receives immediate medical attention.

It can be difficult to pinpoint the signs of chronic benzodiazepine misuse and addiction, as the symptoms are often nonspecific. That being said, some of the most common warning signs include:

• Unusual and unexplained changes in mood or behavior
• Requiring higher doses to achieve the same or similar effects
• Spending significant time seeking, taking, or recovering from benzodiazepines
• Impaired performance at work, school, and other obligations
• Increased interpersonal relationship problems
• “Borrowing” or taking another person’s prescription medication
• Lying or misleading doctors to obtain prescriptions or early refills
• Visiting multiple medical professionals to obtain multiple prescriptions
• Increased secretiveness and/or lying
• Feeling a compulsive need to continue taking benzos despite negative consequences
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not taking benzodiazepines

These and other signs may indicate that you or someone you care about is struggling to control their benzodiazepine use. Even someone who begins taking benzodiazepines for a legitimate medical reason can develop an increased tolerance, dependency, and addiction to these drugs.

Our Treatment Program

Although it can be difficult to recognize the warning signs and seek treatment for a benzodiazepine addiction, help and healing are possible. At Carolina Recovery Solutions, we offer customized benzodiazepine addiction treatment in Asheville at our unique and welcoming facility located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.

Our team recognizes that no two people are exactly alike, which is why we do not utilize a “one-size-fits-all” approach to recovery. Instead, we take the time to get to know our patients, their histories, their challenges, and their goals. This allows us to then develop personalized programs based on proven techniques, effective therapies, and integrated solutions.

For many, benzodiazepine addiction treatment involves a combination of the following:

• Safe, supervised medical detox
• Residential treatment
• Intensive outpatient rehab
• Treatment therapies
• Group meetings
• 12-step programs
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Life skills development
• Aftercare

Our patients are able to get the professional help they need in a peaceful environment free from the stressors and triggers of everyday life. Here, you can focus on your physical, emotional, and spiritual healing with the help of our experienced addiction treatment specialists. We work hard to ensure you have the tools you need to manage triggers, reduce cravings, and achieve lasting sobriety.

If you or someone you love is struggling with benzodiazepine abuse or addiction, call Carolina Recovery Solutions today at (828) 383-8328 to learn how we can help.