Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Tiktok
Rolling Hills Recovery Center combination logo

Our Location

855-559-8550

Get Help Now
Get Help Now
855-559-8550
Rolling hills recovery center combination logo
Take The First Step Now
Contact Us
Check Insurance
Take The First Step Now
Contact Us
Check Insurance

How To Taper Off Benzodiazepines

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 7 minutes

Learn effective strategies for safely tapering off benzos, minimizing withdrawal, and avoiding relapse.

Start With a Phone Call
Check Insurance
Young woman doing yoga in the park

Benzodiazepines are a class of sedatives often prescribed to patients suffering from stress, paranoia, sleep difficulties, anxiety, seizures, and other mental illnesses.

Although benzodiazepines may induce relaxation and pleasure, they are not without their harmful side effects, such as the inability to recall recent events, nightmares, and aggression.

Table of Contents

reception area at rolling hills nj with logo on the wall and furniture in the lobby
Levels of Care
Popular Topics
More About Benzos

Recognizing Benzo Misuse and Its Consequences

What Is Benzodiazepine Abuse?

The usage of benzodiazepines has hit alarming proportions, and it often happens in tandem with the use of other substances. It is possible for a benzodiazepine overdose to be either purposeful, as in the case of suicidal individuals, or unintentional, depending on the circumstances.

The majority of fatal overdoses involve the use of benzodiazepines in combination with other CNS depressants like alcohol or opiates.

These symptoms may indicate that you may have taken too many benzodiazepines:

  • Poor lung capacity.

  • Damp, humid skin.

  • Larger-than-normal pupils.

  • Slow and feeble heartbeat.

  • Coma.

Even at very high dosages, benzodiazepine overdoses seldom lead to death; fatalities often occur when these medicines are combined with others that also have a sedative effect, leading to respiratory collapse.

The number of prescriptions written for benzodiazepines and the rate of benzodiazepine-related deaths has risen dramatically in recent years.

Portrait of wonderful young woman posing in living room at home

Navigating Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

What to Expect When You Stop Taking Benzos?

Long-term benzodiazepine users are at increased risk for several adverse outcomes, such as tolerance, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms upon stopping use. Among the withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines are:

  • Migraine.

  • Affecting one’s ability to go to sleep.

  • Lack of energy.

  • Disturbance.

  • Involuntary spasms.

  • Incoordination.

  • Diarrhea and sickness.

  • Psychotic disorders such as paranoia, insanity, hallucinations, and nightmares.

It is suggested that a person who has been using benzodiazepines for two weeks or more not suddenly cease taking their medicine. Instead, benzodiazepine dosages should be reduced slowly over time.

Did You KNow?

Most Major Insurance Will Help Cover the Cost of Treatment
anthem-white
cigna-1
mcr-aetna-white
mcr-beacon-white
med-mutual-white
prc-magellan
TRICARE_Logo_png
Call Today (855) 559-8550
Check Your Coverage
You Could Be Covered
100% for Treatment

Guidelines for Tapering Off Benzodiazepines

Instructions & Roadmap for Weaning Off Benzos

Multiple organizations have established tapering recommendations for benzodiazepines. For example, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder developed some of the most widely accepted tapering recommendations.

According to these recommendations, chronic users using a high dose should begin by cutting their dosage by 25-30%, then lower it by 5-10% daily or weekly.

People who use therapeutic amounts at night should try reducing their dose by 25% per week.

The recommended course of action for people who take therapeutic dosages throughout the day is to reduce their daily dose by 10-25% initially and then by another 10-25% every 1-2 weeks.

Some people respond better to a replacement taper, which entails starting therapy with a longer-acting, more stable benzodiazepine before moving on to the tapering stage.

Did You Know Rolling Hills Recovery Center Offers Treatment for Benzos?

A patient navigator is ready to help. Our team of dedicated professionals are here to help 24 hours a day.

Call (855) 559-8550

When Should People Start Reducing Their Benzo Consumption?

The purpose of benzodiazepine taper schedules is to make a withdrawal from the drug easier to bear. Benzo withdrawal symptoms are a significant deterrent for many individuals considering quitting benzos. These concerns can be minimized with a benzodiazepine taper.

The goal of tapering is to ease the discomfort of withdrawal from benzos by helping the body adjust to life without them more quickly.

The Root Causes of Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Benzodiazepines are effective because they boost the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain (GABA). GABA inhibits the transmission of certain central nervous system impulses in their natural state.

Benzos amplify the results of GABA. The human body builds up a tolerance to GABA to prevent abnormal functioning caused by high neurotransmitter levels.

Without benzos, GABA levels rise beyond normal, leading to overexcitation of the central nervous system (CNS). Tenseness, panic attacks, and convulsions are all possible side effects.

Our Patient Navigators Are Here When You Need Them

Our experienced staff is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Call today and change your tomorrow.

We're Here When You're Ready

Find Out Why We Have a 4.9 Rating on Google

Testimonials & Stories of Hope

A Gradual Approach to Ease Withdrawal

Do Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms Ease If You Slowly Wean Off of the Drug?

Benzo tapering can potentially eliminate withdrawal symptoms for certain people in recovery. This is because the tapering process gives the central nervous system time to acclimate to the absence of the medication. As a result, there is never a chance for it to go through the withdrawal period.

On the other hand, there is no such protection when stopping cold turkey, and withdrawal symptoms may be dangerous, if not fatal. As a result, medical professionals don’t endorse self-administered detox programs or abruptly discontinue use. The absence of aid, direction, and safeguards characterizes these antiquated methods.

Struggles Associated with Benzo Detoxification

Withdrawing off a benzodiazepine without medical supervision might be challenging. If you begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms, your doctor may change your tapering plan to help you get back on track. Be honest with your doctor about the full scope of your drug history, as this will help them develop the most effective treatment strategy.

Master bedroom at grandview estates inpatient alcohol rehab
Jacuzzi tube at grandview estates rehab

Your Path to Freedom Begins Today

Don't Wait Any Longer. Transform Your Life Today.

Our caring treatment navigators are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to help you or your loved one. When you call Rolling Hills Recovery Center you can trust that you will find the help you need – at no cost or obligation to choose our program. Get started right now.

Call Today (855) 559-8550
Get a Callback Now
Request a Confidential 100% Confidential Callback

We Make Getting Help Easy

Our Simple Admissions Process
Treatment Planning
Assessment

Our clinical and medical teams review your personal history and circumstances in order to determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.

Schedule Admission Date
Intake

During intake you will be asked some more questions about your background & medical history. This allows us to fully formulate your treatment plan.

Tour the Facilities
Personal Tour

One of our caring team members will take you around the clinical facilities and introduce you to the rest of our team and current community. 

Settle In
Unwind & Relax

We know that the first day of treatment can be overwhelming for anyone. We work with you to ensure you ease yourself into the treatment process.

Our Admissions Process

In Conclusion

Preventive Measures for Benzo Relapse

The risk of recurrence may be minimized by avoiding benzo withdrawal. Success in maintaining abstinence from benzos may be improved with medical management of withdrawal symptoms. It is a necessary one, but not the final one.

According to recent research, treatment plans that include psychological support and physical withdrawal are generally more effective than tapering alone.

To reduce your drug or alcohol usage, you should immediately get professional help from a detox center and addiction recovery program.

Facebook Linkedin X-twitter Pinterest Instagram

Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

Start Your Journey

Stay Informed & Up-to-Date

Related Benzo Articles & Topics