Struggling with benzodiazepine addiction? Call today for help
Benzo Addiction
At Quadrant, we help individuals break free from benzodiazepine addiction with compassionate, evidence-based care. Whether you’re struggling with Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, or another benzo, our nationwide network of accredited addiction treatment centers offers expert support at every stage. Get help managing withdrawal, preventing relapse, and building lasting recovery. Call our 24/7 admissions team or verify your insurance in minutes.
Struggling with Xanax, Klonopin, or other benzos? Get expert, 24/7 help at accredited treatment centers nationwide.
Dependence is tough. Recovery doesn’t have to be.
Understanding benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are a class of prescription medications used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, seizures, and muscle tension. They work by slowing down activity in the brain and central nervous system, producing a calming, sedative effect. Commonly prescribed benzos include Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Valium (diazepam). While these drugs can be effective in the short term, they carry a high risk of dependence, especially when used for extended periods or in higher-than-prescribed doses. Prolonged benzo use can quickly lead to tolerance, misuse, and addiction.
What is benzodiazepine addiction, and how to flag it?
Benzodiazepine addiction is a condition where repeated use of medications like Xanax, Ativan, or Valium leads to physical dependence and loss of control over use. There are several signs that benzodiazepine use may have progressed into addiction, especially when use becomes frequent, unregulated, or difficult to stop. Here are some:
- Needing higher or more frequent doses to feel the same effect
- Taking the medication in ways not prescribed (e.g., crushing or combining with other substances)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, tremors, or insomnia between doses
- Continuing use despite negative effects on health, relationships, or responsibilities
- Obsessing over the drug or struggling to function without it
- Repeatedly trying and failing to cut back or quit
If any of these apply to you, call us today for a confidential assessment.
Benzodiazepine addiction facts
What begins as a prescribed pill can slowly become a hidden addiction that’s more common than you’d think. Understanding the scope of benzodiazepine misuse is an important step toward recognizing the risks and getting help.
Street names of benzodiazepine
- Benzos
- Downers
- Tranks
- Nerve Pills
The different types of benzodiazepine
- Short-acting (often used for sleep or anxiety relief): Xanax, Halcion, Versed...
- Intermediate-acting (commonly used for anxiety or panic disorders): Altivan, Serax, Restoril...
- Long-acting (often used for seizure control or anxiety): Valium, Klonopin, Librium...
Stats we see about benzo addiction
- Nearly 1 in 3 adults who misuse benzodiazepines say they do it to help with sleep
- Others report using benzos for emotional escape or to feel “normal” without realizing they’re building dependence
- Over 30 million Americans used benzodiazepines in the past year
- About 17% of those users report misusing the drug (taking too much, mixing with other substances, no prescription)
- Most people who misuse benzos began with a legitimate prescription from their doctor
Recovering from benzo addiction Is Possible
Watch stories from our alumni who’ve overcome benzo addiction and rebuilt their lives. Our network of luxury-accredited facilities provides hope, healing, and lifelong support.
Risks and overdose danger of benzo addiction
What benzo over use really cost you
Risks associated
Benzodiazepine addiction can have serious health and life consequences that go far beyond dependence. These are some of the most dangerous and lasting risks people face when misusing benzos long-term:
- Memory loss and cognitive decline
- Increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts
- Respiratory suppression (worse if mixed with alcohol, opioids)
- Impaired coordination and slowed reflexes
- Emotional detachment and mood instability
- Breakdown of family bonds and personal relationships
- Job loss, legal issues, or financial trouble
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Overdose is one of the most serious risks of benzodiazepine abuse. As central nervous system (CNS) depressants, benzos can slow vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerous levels. In high doses or when combined with other depressants, this can lead to life-threatening complications. Benzodiazepines are frequently misused alongside alcohol or opioids, a combination that significantly increases the risk of overdose and death. These substances amplify each other’s sedative effects, making it harder for the body to stay conscious and maintain basic functions. Some of the most common signs to watch for during a potential benzodiazepine overdose include:
- Blue-tinged lips or fingernails
- Slurred or slowed speech
- Double vision or confusion
- Poor coordination or difficulty walking
- Shallow or stopped breathing
- Extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately. Prompt medical attention can be life-saving.
Why you shouldn't detox from benzo alone
Detoxing from benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, or Valium without professional medical supervision can be extremely dangerous. Benzo withdrawal can trigger severe physical and psychological symptoms, including seizures and life-threatening complications. Attempting to quit on your own significantly increases the risk of relapse, emergency hospitalization, or even death. A medically supervised detox is the safest first step toward recovery from benzodiazepine addiction.
Benzo withdrawal symptoms: What to expect
The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on how long the person has been using benzodiazepines, the dosage, and whether they’ve mixed them with other substances. Symptoms generally fall into three categories:
- Mild symptoms: Anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, headaches, and irritability
- Moderate Symptoms: High blood pressure, blurred vision, vomiting, insomnia, depression, and muscle pain.
- Severe Symptoms: seizures, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, severe confusion, and a risk of cardiac arrest. These can be life-threatening and require immediate medical care.
Even symptoms that start out mild can escalate quickly. That’s why a medically supervised detox is essential when withdrawing from benzodiazepines.
The two phases of benzo withdrawal:
Benzo withdrawal symptoms often appear in stages. These stages vary based on the type of benzodiazepine used (short- or long-acting), duration of use, dosage, and individual factors. Here are the two main phases commonly seen in withdrawal:
Acute withdrawal
This phase typically begins within 1 to 4 days after the last dose for short-acting benzos like Xanax and Ativan, or within 5 to 10 days for long-acting ones like Valium or Klonopin. Symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, panic attacks, muscle pain, nausea, and in some cases, seizures or psychosis. This stage is usually most intense in the first two weeks.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome:
For some individuals, symptoms persist beyond the acute phase and can last for several weeks or months. Known as protracted withdrawal or PAWS, this phase can include depression, cognitive fog, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and sensitivity to stress. The risk of relapse is high without ongoing medical and therapeutic support.
We help you detox safely from benzo
Quadrant Health’s medical detox programs are designed to safely manage the unique challenges of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Our expert-led care includes:
24/7 monitoring by clinical staff
Continuous supervision helps detect and respond to serious symptoms like seizures, confusion, or blood pressure spikes, ensuring safety during withdrawal.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Specialized medications may be used to taper benzodiazepine doses gradually and reduce the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, making the process more controlled and tolerable.
hydratation, nutrition and sleep support
Supporting the body with fluids, balanced meals, and rest is key to managing fatigue, nausea, and insomnia, which are common during benzodiazepine detox.
Mental health and emotional support
Because anxiety, panic, and mood instability often resurface, our mental health professionals provide ongoing counseling and support to help you feel grounded and emotionally safe.
step-by-step benzo addiction recovery journey
Comprehensive benzo Addiction Treatment Across All Levels of Care
Recovering from benzodiazepine addiction is a personal and often complex journey that requires expert support at every stage. At Quadrant Health, we offer a full continuum of care designed specifically for individuals struggling with benzo misuse, dependence, or dual diagnosis challenges. From medically supervised detox to residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, and virtual programs, our approach adapts to your unique needs and progress. Whether you began with a prescription for Xanax, Ativan, or Valium, or developed a dependency over time, we’re here to guide you through a structured path toward long-term healing and lasting recovery.
Detoxification
Residential Inpatient
Partial Hospitalization
Intensive Outpatient
Virtual Intensive Outpatient
Dual Diagnosis
Why Quadrant health?
At Quadrant, your recovery is our priority. We combine proven clinical expertise with compassionate care to guide you through every stage of benzo addiction treatment. Our experienced team of licensed professionals creates personalized plans that integrate evidence-based therapies, holistic modalities, and dual diagnosis support when needed. With luxury, well-equipped facilities and a supportive, judgment-free environment, we offer more than just benzo addiction rehab. We offer a path to lasting transformation. Here, you’ll find the structure, flexibility, and care needed to rebuild your life, your way.
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Therapies we offer:
Frequently asked questions
What is benzodiazepine addiction?
Benzo addiction develops when someone becomes physically or psychologically dependent on medications like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, or Ativan.
Can someone become addicted if they were prescribed benzos?
Yes. Even with a prescription, long-term use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms if use is reduced or stopped abruptly.
What are the signs of benzo addiction or abuse?
Taking higher doses than prescribed, using benzos to relax or sleep, doctor shopping, combining benzos with alcohol, and difficulty stopping use.
Is it dangerous to quit benzos cold turkey?
Yes. Abruptly stopping benzos can trigger seizures and other life-threatening symptoms. Medical detox with tapering is the safest option.
What does benzo addiction treatment involve?
Treatment includes supervised detox, medication-assisted tapering, behavioral therapy, mental health support, and long-term recovery planning.
What’s the first step to getting help for benzo addiction?
Call our admissions team for a confidential evaluation. We’ll review your symptoms, verify insurance, and guide you into the right level of care.
Will my insurance cover benzo rehab?
Most insurance plans cover benzodiazepine addiction treatment. We’ll help you verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs upfront.
