Benzodiazepines can be addictive, even if your doctor has prescribed them to you for insomnia, anxiety or another condition.
Common benzodiazepines like diazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam often lead to tolerance and dependence, which can make coming off them difficult.
Benzodiazepine dependence is when your body develops a biological reliance on benzos, and needs them to function normally. Benzo addiction is when you have cravings that are hard to resist.
Benzo detox tackles dependence by supporting you medically to stop taking benzos while ensuring you don’t experience any dangerous health complications.
Not only can you experience uncomfortable cravings and withdrawal symptoms while coming off benzos, in extreme cases, benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous. Never try to detox on your own without seeing a doctor first.
It’s important to know when to seek help, why benzo detox should be medically-managed, and how you can get the right support.
With suitable care, you can detox from benzos in London and recover successfully.
There are several routes you can take when it comes to benzo detox in London. Access to these depend on whether you can go private, and if you meet criteria for statutory funding.
Some people are able to detox as an outpatient at home, but people who are higher risk will need the support of an inpatient facility:
The NHS offer limited funding for some people to attend an inpatient clinic for detox, but this is reserved for complex cases and you will likely face a long wait. NHS and partnership detox services include:
Your benzo detox should be tailored to your individual needs, and will vary depending on the detox path you choose, your current benzo dosage, health and home situation.
First, you’ll need a medical assessment. Make an appointment with your GP or another addiction treatment provider, who can assess your current usage, any other drug or alcohol misuse, your physical and mental health and your home situation.
Once you’ve been assessed, your detox plan will be drawn up based on this information. You may be given a tapered detox programme, where you gradually reduce your dose over a period of weeks or months until you stop completely.
Then, you’ll start your cessation or taper, while your health is monitored. If necessary, you may need 24-7 support. Any withdrawal symptoms will be managed to ensure you’re not at risk of health complications.
Benzodiazepine detox can cause mental and physical withdrawal symptoms which need to be managed carefully. Everyone’s benzo detox will be different.
Common benzo detox withdrawal symptoms include:
People with severe benzo dependence can experience more severe complications like life-threatening seizures, psychosis, hallucinations or delirium, particularly when benzodiazepines are stopped abruptly. This is why you should always consult a doctor before stopping.
These symptoms will be managed with medical monitoring, tapering schedules if necessary, and regular check-ins to ensure you’re safe and supported.
Benzo detox can take anywhere from 10 days to several months. Tapering programmes take longer, so you may have milder withdrawal symptoms that last longer.
Withdrawal timelines differ, as some people may experience prolonged symptoms after detox.
In extreme cases, you could develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which is when you continue to have symptoms like tiredness and insomnia even after detox.
If you’ve been taking benzodiazepines for over four weeks, or you’ve been taking larger doses than prescribed, you may have developed a physical dependence. Detox in London can help you withdraw safely, to help you feel supported and prevent any health risks.
Physical dependence is one of the complications of benzodiazepines which happens because benzos are gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor agonists which work by sedating the body through muscle relaxant, hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects.[1]
If you try to quit benzos cold turkey after becoming physically dependent on them, your nervous system can struggle to stay stable, which can lead to these withdrawal symptoms.
Sometimes, a tapered detox is necessary. This is when you gradually reduce your dose of benzodiazepines following a schedule signed off by your healthcare provider. This can allow your body to adjust gradually, resulting in a safer detox.
Completing detox is the hardest step, but it’s also just the beginning of your recovery journey. Rehabs can offer ongoing support like therapy, relapse prevention planning and aftercare. There’s also lots of NHS and charity-funded support groups you can join.
V-i-a offer confidential advice and signposting to treatment across the city. Peer-support groups like Narcotics Anonymous London and SMART Recovery facilitate online and in-person mutual support groups to help you form positive connections and stay on the path of sobriety.
To stay sober long-term, it’s important to treat the psychological side of addiction as well as any health issues that led to you using benzodiazepines to begin with.
Drug addiction treatment like therapy can help you get to the root cause of your substance abuse, and wellbeing activities can build a strong mindset that can prevent relapse.
Taking the plunge to enter detox is a brave first step. Speak to your GP who will be able to offer you an assessment or refer you to the right drug and alcohol services in London. If you choose to go through private drug rehab, you can contact them directly.
Rehab 4 Addiction offers free advice and confidential support, and can also facilitate referrals to top private rehabs across London and throughout the UK. Call us on 0800 140 4690, or +44 345 222 3508 from abroad.
Below, we outline some frequently asked questions around this important topic:
If you have a mild dependence on benzodiazepines, your GP may be able to support a gradual reduction plan or refer you to specialist drug and alcohol services to help manage your benzodiazepine dependence safely. If your dependence is severe, you may need more thorough support like residential rehab.
The cost of private benzo detox varies depending on the clinic, length of stay, level of medical support required, and whether your treatment is provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis. An assessment is usually needed before an accurate quote can be provided.
Benzodiazepines affect the brain chemicals involved in relaxation and anxiety regulation. Over time, your body can adjust to their presence and become reliant on them to function, making withdrawal more challenging without a structured and medically informed approach.
[1] https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/benzodiazepine-z-drug-withdrawal/
