Amity’s benzo addiction treatment program in San Diego, CA is designed to help those seeking recovery for the whole person. In addition to attentive care and first-class treatment, individuals are given access to the most revolutionary tools rehab has to offer. For a comprehensive outline of our outpatient addiction programs, read on.
What are Benzodiazepines?
Signs of Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepine cravings are the most obvious and sure sign of an addiction. These withdrawal-related cravings can become unbearable to resist, especially without proper treatment. But cravings are rarely a standalone symptom, usually accompanied by other addiction signs.
People with an addiction to benzos struggle with maintaining normal sleep patterns, especially the longer they go without ingesting the drug. Even when benzo addiction sufferers do get sleep, they are deprived of adequate REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This is the deep sleep the body needs for repair and meaningful rest. REM-deficient individuals may frequently awake in the middle of the night.
Aches and pains throughout the body in the absence of benzodiazepine are common indicators of benzo addiction and withdrawal. These aches can occur anywhere at any time without warning. The severity of these aches depends heavily on addiction history and the depth of the addiction.
Benzos can induce involuntary tics while under the influence, or more drastic tremors as a withdrawal symptom. As withdrawal symptoms, these uncomfortable “shakes” are a physical manifestation of intense cravings. They occurs when your mind and body have developed a level of dependency that requires serious professional rehab.
Benzo dependency can throw off neuronic balance in several ways, especially in the hippocampus region. This can skyrocket anxieties, fears, and phobias. Depending on the severity, this has the potential to aggravate anxiety disorders.
Addiction’s neuronic impact can have heightened effects on regions of the brain responsible for anger. This can result in elevated irritability or quickness to anger. This can have negative domino effects on relationships, taking a toll on the support system. If you suspect you or a loved one may be suffering from benzo-induced anger problems, we’re here to help.
Short-Term Consequences of Benzo Addiction
- Suppressed Blood Pressure: Benzos’ depressive effects on the central nervous system lowers blood pressure. This can result in temporary relaxation and sedation, but potentially leads to long-term blood pressure problems.
- Lowered Heart Rate: Benzos stimulates GABA neurons in the central nervous system. These can have an effect on the cardiovascular nervous system, significantly lowering heart rate.
- Difficulty Breathing: In severe short-term overdose or adverse bodily reaction effects, your body can be induced into an over-suppressive state. If breathing difficulties ever occur in conjunction with benzo use, seek immediate medical help.
Long-Term Consequences of Benzos Addiction
Studies suggest that extended benzodiazepine use can increase the likelihood of contracting mental health conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These impaired memory effects can be a direct result of the effect of benzos on the mind, permanently damaging neuronic functions. Over time, this damage can become irreparable and potentially lead to a variety of cognitive compromisations.
Benzos can have slowing effects on your heart rate and blood pressure in the short term. In the long term, when abused, benzodiazepine nervous system effects can have a considerable strain on your cardiovascular system. Extended use extends these effects on the heart until lasting damage is a risk. Permanent conditions include (but are not limited to) coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart disease, or heart valve defects.
Benzos can cause permanent chemical deficiencies in the brain that induce mental health problems. At the very least, existing conditions may be aggravated during use. In such cases, drug-induced mental health conditions require dual diagnosis treatment to properly heal from addiction and the co-occurring disorder.
Benzo addiction, as is the case with many addictions, can be a serious strain on financial well-being. Once cravings take hold, a person’s entire financial, mental, and physical efforts become invested in that desire. This can have both short- and long-term impacts from which someone may need time to recover after the initial healing period.
Addiction can impact job performance in several mental and physical ways. The lack of sleep associated with benzo abuse can affect punctuality, energy, and mental acuity. When addiction overtakes the mind, job priorities can take a back seat while the person contemplates how to get more drugs to satisfy their craving. These factors with potential compounding withdrawal symptoms can make declining job performance inevitable.
Addiction can create a great divide between you and the people you love. Substance abuse, understandably, can stir concern and stress among friends and family. If someone refuses to get help for addiction despite concerns, this can create resentment and separation.
Therapy Options for Benzodiazepine Treatment in San Diego
Outpatient programs are flexible treatment programs that are designed to fulfill treatment and therapy needs without requiring a stay at an inpatient facility. Individuals can take what they’ve learned and apply it directly to their life.
Individualized therapy sessions are a key treatment option that uses one-on-one sessions with a therapist to dig deeper into their substance use. These personal meetings enable therapists to provide support, accountability, and addiction-specific assistance to help people overcome obstacles and determine the root causes of their addiction. Individual therapy sessions can use a variety of therapy techniques to help an individual on their journey to long-term recovery.
Group therapy treatment utilizes a ‘strength in numbers’ perspective to provide essential support. This helps people build bonds to maintain collective accountability, as well as help people stay motivated throughout the process. People can learn from alternate perspectives and receive targeted support from people that understand what they’re going through at every stage.
Partial hospitalization programs are specifically for people who need therapeutic observation, surveillance, and care. Through this treatment, withdrawal symptoms and relapse risks are treated so as not to interfere with addiction recovery. PHP programs provide intensive support while still allowing for people to return home and maintain a connection with their lives and loved ones.
Many people who abuse benzodiazepines also suffer from co-occurring mental disorders. When mental illness is involved, it’s important to treat both it and the addiction so that the person is less likely to relapse due to self-medication. These multifaceted programs are designed to speak to the interaction between mental illnesses and addiction, so that people are prepared to deal with triggers and disorder-specific effects.
Insurance for Benzodiazepine Addiction
Heal from Benzodiazepine Addiction with Amity’s Addiction Treatment Programs in San Diego, CA
Verify Your Insurance
We understand that navigating the financial aspects of treatment can be challenging. Amity San Diego is here to help. Our team works with many insurance providers to make treatment as accessible as possible. Click below to verify your insurance and learn more about your coverage options. Our admissions team will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
