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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Benzodiazepines can quickly treat severe insomnia, but these medications interfere with natural sleep patterns and distort critical stages of rest. Even if you sleep longer on benzodiazepines, you won’t feel well-rested because they reduce your deep sleep and throw off your natural sleep rhythm.
A 2023 study (de Mendonça, et. al.) indicates that benzodiazepines reduce the deep sleep and REM sleep stages, which can lead to memory problems, poor concentration, and weight gain.
Many people resort to benzodiazepines seeking quick relief from sleepless nights, unaware that these medications quickly lead to physical dependence and tolerance. Medical experts at Ardu’s benzodiazepine rehab center provide comprehensive, personalized care to help you safely withdraw from benzodiazepines while developing natural, sustainable sleep habits.
Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications that doctors sometimes prescribe for short-term treatment of severe insomnia when other treatments for insomnia haven’t worked. Doctors may prescribe benzodiazepines when a patient’s insomnia is accompanied by intense anxiety. While they weren’t specifically developed as a sleep aid, their sedative effects help with sleep maintenance by enhancing a brain chemical called GABA that promotes relaxation and drowsiness.
Insomnia management should begin with treatments that don’t involve benzodiazepines. Benzos cause adverse effects and aren’t intended for long-term insomnia treatment. Most doctors limit prescriptions to 2–4 weeks to prevent dependence and tolerance.
Sleep architecture refers to the way your brain cycles through different stages of sleep during the night, from light sleep to deep sleep to REM sleep. Each stage affects your physical and mental recovery, so they need to happen in the right sequence and for the right duration to provide restorative sleep.
Benzodiazepines disrupt this natural pattern by binding to GABA receptors in your brain, which artificially increases lighter sleep, while simultaneously reducing the crucial deep sleep and REM sleep stages you need for proper rest.
Short-acting benzodiazepines and long-acting benzodiazepines interfere with sleep architecture and increase the likelihood of abuse over time. Short-acting benzos include temazepam (Restoril) and alprazolam (Xanax). They leave your system within hours, while long-acting ones such as diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin) stay in your body for days. Regardless of their duration, both types disrupt your natural sleep architecture.
Here’s how benzodiazepines affect each component of your sleep architecture:
A 2021 study on diazepam found that benzodiazepines disrupt the normal synchronization of neural activity across the cortex. After administration, different brain regions become less coordinated: one area might be highly active while another nearby is completely silent. This prevents the coordinated slow-wave activity that characterizes natural sleep.
While benzodiazepines help patients sleep longer and fall asleep faster in the short term, a 2023 review article suggests the resulting sleep is qualitatively different from natural physiological sleep and doesn’t provide the same restorative benefits.
Chronic insomnia can lead to psychological dependence on benzodiazepines and other sleep medications, but these drugs ultimately increase your risk of withdrawal symptoms and fatal overdoses when combined with other substances.
Our comprehensive treatment programs in Utah help you safely manage benzodiazepine withdrawal and address the root causes of your sleep disorders. Contact us today to break free from sleep medication dependence.
Benzodiazepines aren’t designed for long-term sleep management, but some are milder than others and have fewer side effects and withdrawal risks. If a doctor prescribes one for short-term insomnia relief, they’ll usually opt for a benzodiazepine with a shorter half-life and fewer lingering effects the next day.
That said, all benzodiazepines alter sleep architecture, increase dependence risk, and should only be used briefly, if at all.
Here are some of the milder benzodiazepines doctors might prescribe:
Even milder benzodiazepines carry risks. If you’re dealing with ongoing sleep problems, relying on benzos only makes things worse. There are safer, more effective treatments for sleep disorders that don’t involve the risk of dependence, overdose, or withdrawal insomnia.
Breaking free from benzos isn’t easy, but with the right support, restoring healthy, natural sleep is possible. Our medically supervised detox and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs help you safely manage withdrawal symptoms and rebuild long-term sleep health without dependence on medication.
Prolonged benzo use can lead to serious health risks and safety concerns. When taken regularly for sleep, these medications don’t just affect your sleep architecture—they can cause a range of adverse events that hinder your physical and mental well-being.
Benzodiazepines cause these common side effects:
Given these serious side effects and how benzos mess with your natural sleep cycles, it’s clear they’re not a good way to deal with sleep problems. They might knock you out for a few nights, but the risks of addiction and health problems make them a dangerous solution in the long run.
Sleep disruption during benzo withdrawal is one of the hardest symptoms to endure. After prolonged use, the brain becomes dependent on the drug’s sedative effects, adjusting its natural chemistry to compensate. When benzodiazepines are removed, the nervous system overreacts by creating a state of hyperarousal. Sleep becomes fragmented, unpredictable, and unrefreshing as the brain struggles to regain balance.
These sudden changes in brain activity during withdrawal create a cascade of sleep disturbances. The most common ways benzodiazepine withdrawal disrupts sleep include:
Benzo withdrawal insomnia is temporary; proper support makes recovery possible. Reach out to Ardu today.
Getting good sleep while coming off benzos can feel impossible at first. Your brain needs time to remember how to fall asleep, and the rebound insomnia can be intense. But there are ways to hack your sleep during this challenging period.
Whether you’re currently tapering off benzodiazepines or have recently stopped, sleep troubles are temporary. These strategies will help you get through the tough nights and rebuild healthy sleep patterns.
If you’re finding it hard to stick to these strategies and keep relapsing back to benzodiazepines, we provide the support and structure you need to break free.
Overcoming benzodiazepine dependence requires a personalized approach that addresses withdrawal management and the development of healthy sleep patterns. Our treatment journey begins with medically supervised detox, your first step toward natural, restorative sleep.
Our detox program prioritizes your comfort and safety during the challenging withdrawal period. We employ gradual tapering protocols under 24/7 medical supervision to minimize withdrawal symptoms and help you sleep. Since withdrawal can severely impact sleep quality, we complement our medical care with holistic approaches including float spa therapy, vibroacoustic treatments, and sleep hygiene counseling to help you transition to natural sleep patterns.
Many people struggling with benzodiazepine dependence started taking these medications for insomnia related to anxiety or depression. Our integrated dual diagnosis approach addresses sleep disorders and underlying mental health conditions, breaking the cycle where poor sleep and anxiety reinforce each other.
We combine evidence-based treatment with individual therapy, CBT for insomnia, and relaxation practices such as yoga and meditation therapy to help you develop natural ways to achieve restful sleep without medication.
Following detox, our rehabilitation program offers inpatient and outpatient options to support your recovery. Our residential program provides a peaceful environment where you can establish healthy sleep routines away from daily stressors. For those needing more flexibility, our outpatient program allows you to maintain daily responsibilities while receiving support in implementing better sleep habits.
Family support facilitates lasting recovery. Through family therapy sessions, we help rebuild relationships while educating loved ones about sleep disorders and recovery support.
Contact Ardu online or call at 801-872-8480 to learn how our personalized treatment approach can help you achieve natural, restorative sleep without benzodiazepines. Our expert team is ready to guide you through every step of your recovery journey.
“Ardu Recovery was the first treatment center I have ever attended. It was such a blessing in my life. The staff, from medical, techs, and all the way up the chain to the director, are the most amazing people I have ever encountered. They carry you through many tools and love to help you build a solidified life. I would recommend [Ardu] to anyone willing to seek help.”
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Benzodiazepines reduce slow-wave sleep (stage N3) and REM sleep, while artificially increasing lighter sleep stages. During slow-wave sleep, your brain consolidates memories and your body repairs itself. This is why you feel physically restored after a good night’s sleep. During REM sleep, your brain processes emotions and reinforces learning from the day.
Instead of entering the deep sleep stages, benzodiazepines increase the amount of time you spend in lighter sleep (N2). So while you might sleep for eight hours, you’re not getting the quality of sleep your brain and body need. According to Clinical practice guidelines, this disruption creates less restorative sleep even though you might sleep longer. This is particularly problematic for patients with depression who need these deeper sleep stages for emotional processing and memory consolidation.
Most benzodiazepines start working within 30–60 minutes. Short-acting benzodiazepines, like Xanax, can make you feel drowsy even faster, while long-acting benzodiazepines take longer to kick in but stay in your system longer. Evidence of effectiveness shows that faster onset often means higher abuse potential and risk of overdose and dependency.
While clonazepam can cause drowsiness, it’s primarily an anti-anxiety medication rather than a designated sleep aid. It’s classified with other sedative-hypnotics but isn’t typically a first-choice treatment for insomnia in adults. Non-pharmacologic treatments or selective melatonin receptor agonists are usually recommended first for sleep disorders.
Sometimes diazepam can have a paradoxical effect, especially in patients with depression or chronic insomnia. Instead of promoting sleep, it might increase anxiety or restlessness. This is often due to improper timing of doses or interactions with other medications. If you’re experiencing persistent insomnia, your doctor might suggest alternative treatment options.
The effective dose varies significantly between individuals. While 2 mg might help some people with sleep initiation, randomized placebo-controlled trials show it’s often too low for treating chronic insomnia. Treatment of sleep disorders requires careful dose adjustment under medical supervision.
According to pharmacologic treatment studies, clonazepam and diazepam are often the most calming. However, comparing their effectiveness is tricky since individual responses vary. No single benzodiazepine is universally “best.” The choice depends on your specific symptoms and medical history.
There are several alternatives to Xanax for sleep, including melatonin therapies and cognitive-behavioral therapy. If medication is necessary, selective melatonin receptor agonists or specific sleep medications tend to work better than Xanax for primary insomnia, with less risk of dependence and fewer daytime effects.
de Mendonça FMR, de Mendonça GPRR, Souza LC, Galvão LP, Paiva HS, de Azevedo Marques Périco C, Torales J, Ventriglio A, Castaldelli-Maia JM, Sousa Martins Silva A. Benzodiazepines and Sleep Architecture: A Systematic Review. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2023;22(2):172-179. doi: 10.2174/1871527320666210618103344. PMID: 34145997.
Chang, Y., Xie, X., Liu, Y., Liu, M., & Zhang, H. (2024). Exploring clinical applications and long-term effectiveness of benzodiazepines: An integrated perspective on mechanisms, imaging, and personalized medicine. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 173, 116329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116329
McKillop, L. E., Fisher, S. P., Milinski, L., Krone, L. B., & Vyazovskiy, V. V. (2021). Diazepam effects on local cortical neural activity during sleep in mice. Biochemical Pharmacology, 191, 114515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114515
Pallanti, Stefanoa,b. The role of benzodiazepines in common conditions: a narrative review focusing on lormetazepam. International Clinical Psychopharmacology 39(3):p 139-147, May 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000529
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