Can Drug Treatment Centers in New Jersey Use Benzodiazepines to Help with Other Withdrawal?

If you are faced with the chance to utilize a drug rehab facility, now is the time to take it. For New Jersey residents, drug rehab centers are there to help you get off any type of drug you have been on, regardless of your age, race, or sexual orientation. You’ll find caring, committed doctors, nurses, and drug counselors when you take the next step to sobriety through rehab.

However, you may be worried about the withdrawal and detox process. This is a common concern for many men and women who have become physically addicted to either prescription or illegal drugs. You’re likely concerned about what will happen once you are in rehab and won’t have access to the drugs your body is used to. Will you be given medication, such as benzodiazepines, to help with the symptoms of withdrawal?

Physical Addiction and Your Body

Addiction occurs when you continually use a substance or substances that alter your mood despite the fact there could be or have been negative consequences. If you have been using opiates for a long period of time, for example, your body will quickly build a tolerance to the drugs. As the receptors in your brain become less and less sensitive, your body will begin to need more of the drug to achieve the same high. Soon, your body will become physically dependent on the drug you have been taking, known as physical dependence.

When you stop taking the drug or even cut back on the dosage, your body will begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can occur quickly if your body has become dependent on the drug. In order to get through the symptoms with ease, rehab and detox is the best option.

What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are depressants that act on the central nervous system. They are generally prescribed for adults who are suffering from anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, PTSD, and other problems. Benzodiazepines help to calm you down when taken but have a potential for abuse. They can cause a very severe physical addiction that can be difficult to beat by yourself.

Benzodiazepines withdrawals can occur when you stop taking the drug or if you try to cut back on your own. They can lead to flu-like symptoms, mood swings, irritability, nausea, vomiting, intense cravings, and further discomfort. You may not have the same type of symptoms as another individual addicted to benzodiazepines, as everyone is different. How you feel will depend on a few factors, such as how much of the drug you have used, how long you have been using it, your age, and your health.

Will My Rehab Prescribe Benzodiazepines to Help with Other Withdrawal Symptoms?

The answer to this will depend on what you have been using and the rehab center itself. Benzodiazepines are sometimes used for patients who are in rehab for alcohol abuse. When an addict who has stopped drinking comes into a rehab center for alcohol abuse, they will begin to go through Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, or AWS. This can cause very unpleasant side effects and can be very painful. Side effects include heart palpitations, restlessness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and more.

Different benzodiazepines can help reduce the severity of AWS in several ways. A few of the symptoms that benzodiazepines can treat are as follows:

• Chills
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Sweats
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Pain and discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping

If you are addicted to something other than alcohol, then the rehab you check into may or may not prescribe benzodiazepines for your withdrawal symptoms. Since the potential for abuse is present with this type of drug your doctor may try these other medications first:

Buprenorphine, or Subutex- This medication is able to lessen the length of your detox and can be used for long-term maintenance. Buprenorphine is often used in combination with Naloxone (Zubsolv or Suboxone), which helps to prevent dependence.

Methadone- Methadone can relieve the worst withdrawal symptoms and will help you detox during your rehab stay. This medication can also be used for long-term maintenance.

Clonidine- Clonidine will help with muscle aches, anxiety, irritability, cramping, and agitation. Unfortunately, it will not reduce the cravings you may still feel.

Call Your Local Rehab Today

When it is time to start living your life drug and alcohol-free, we are here to help you. Call or stop by to learn about our comprehensive detox and rehab services. Our counselors are standing by to help! Call today at 833-610-1174 for more information.