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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life-threatening when you stop taking these medications abruptly or reduce them too quickly. A 2015 research article reveals that up to 50% of chronic benzodiazepine users face withdrawal symptoms when trying to discontinue.
Regular use forces the brain to reduce natural calming chemicals, so the body depends on medication. The chemical imbalance caused by going “cold turkey” causes psychological and physical symptoms that can persist through post-acute withdrawal.
Safe discontinuation requires a structured benzo tapering plan under medical supervision. At our benzodiazepine detox facility, we provide 24/7 monitoring and comprehensive medical detox services to safely guide you through withdrawal.
Benzodiazepines are prescription medications used to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, and seizures. Their main mechanism of action is by enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a natural calming chemical in the brain. Benzo drugs artificially boost the calming effects of this neurotransmitter, so the brain responds by decreasing its own GABA production. The brain then depends on benzodiazepines to function normally.
Long-term benzodiazepine use alters your brain’s entire neurotransmitter system, not just GABA. The brain decreases the production of serotonin and dopamine, which explains the severe depression and anxiety many experience during withdrawal. Widespread chemical disruption affects everything from mood and cognition to basic physical functions such as temperature regulation and muscle control.
When you remove or decrease the drug, the brain struggles to start producing neurotransmitters again. Without it, your nervous system becomes overactive, triggering intense physical and emotional symptoms.
A 2013 study on the effects of benzodiazepines on the central nervous system reveals that the brain adapts to specific benzodiazepines by altering receptor activity in particular regions, so withdrawal symptoms may depend on which receptors are affected.
For example, withdrawing from Xanax (alprazolam) strongly affects anxiety receptors, so users often face intense rebound anxiety, while Klonopin (clonazepam) withdrawal often causes severe anxiety and panic because it affects anxiety receptors and serotonin levels in the brain.
If you’re struggling with addiction to benzodiazepines and feel ready to make a change, Ardu focuses on safe recovery and long-term wellness. Our benzodiazepine rehab services support you in overcoming the physical and emotional challenges of withdrawal.
Reach out to Ardu and take the first step towards sobriety and wellness.
Physical symptoms are the tell-tale signs of benzodiazepine withdrawal. They often strike in waves, with periods of relative calm followed by intense spikes in discomfort that can last hours or days.
These symptoms can persist for weeks or months after the last dose. How severe they’ll be depends on how long you were taking benzos and how abruptly you stopped. Brett and Murnion maintain that benzodiazepine use for longer than 3–4 weeks causes withdrawal symptoms because of the physical dependence on the drug.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal causes the following physical symptoms:
The removal of benzodiazepines causes chaotic electrical activity in your brain. It starts with small muscle twitches in your hands that can rapidly progress to violent shaking. Without the drug’s calming effect, your brain’s electrical signals suddenly surge and trigger life-threatening seizures that often strike without warning. Without immediate medical intervention, seizures can cause injury, brain damage, or even death.
After your body loses the muscle-relaxing effects of benzodiazepines, you experience severe muscle tightness. People describe the feeling of their muscles being twisted and crushed. Your muscles may contract randomly and forcefully and even basic movements may cause excruciating pain. Many patients describe feeling “locked up” or paralyzed by the intensity of muscle contractions.
Withdrawal throws your digestive system into chaos. Vomiting episodes can strike suddenly and violently; keeping down food or water feels impossible. This severe digestive distress quickly and dangerously dehydrates your body.
Your body’s temperature control system becomes severely disrupted during withdrawal, often creating what many call benzo flu. You’ll suddenly find yourself drenched in cold sweat, only to be hit with intense chills moments later, along with body aches and fatigue that mimic a severe case of influenza. This temperature dysregulation alternates between burning hot and freezing cold as your brain chemistry struggles to normalize, with flu-like symptoms sometimes persisting throughout the acute withdrawal phase.
Withdrawal headaches are far more severe than typical tension headaches. Blood vessels constrict and dilate erratically, causing throbbing pain that can last for days. The pain often feels like intense pressure crushing your skull from all sides. The headaches become worse with any exposure to light or sound.
Your visual processing system becomes severely impaired during the withdrawal process. Even simple tasks such as reading become difficult because words and objects often appear blurry or doubled. Many people experience hypersensitivity to light. These vision problems may persist for weeks.
Because your autonomic nervous system loses stability, your heart rhythm becomes erratic. You might feel your heart racing, then suddenly slowing, or skipping beats entirely. Blood pressure can spike dangerously high, then plummet without warning. These cardiovascular symptoms can be frightening and potentially dangerous.
The withdrawal affects your inner ear and balance centers and triggers severe vertigo. Many people describe feeling like they’re on a rolling ship. Standing or walking becomes treacherous because your balance is severely impaired. The constant dizziness paired with muscle weakness creates a high risk of dangerous falls.
When you stop taking benzodiazepines, natural sleep becomes nearly impossible. Your brain has forgotten how to transition into sleep on its own, leading to severe insomnia that can last for days or weeks. When sleep does come, it’s often broken by nightmares and sudden waking. Chronic sleep disturbances intensify all other withdrawal symptoms.
The entire digestive system becomes hypersensitive and chaotic. Painful stomach cramps strike unpredictably, accompanied by severe diarrhea that can hit with little warning. Acid reflux burns in your chest and throat. Combined with nausea and vomiting, these digestive issues create serious risks of dehydration and malnutrition.
Your muscles become weak and fatigued. This isn’t just from lack of sleep; it’s your body directing all energy toward managing withdrawal. Simple tasks such as showering or getting dressed become exhausting ordeals. The weakness also increases fall risk, especially when combined with dizziness.
Your body’s stress response completely shuts down hunger signals. When you force yourself to eat, your stomach may reject food immediately. This lack of nutrition, combined with frequent vomiting and diarrhea, leads to rapid weight loss and weakness that can become dangerous.
Your entire nervous system becomes hypersensitive, creating unusual sensations throughout your body. People describe feeling electric shocks, pins and needles, or insects crawling under their skin. These sensations can appear anywhere—hands, feet, face, or entire body—and can be intensely uncomfortable or even painful.
These severe physical withdrawal symptoms often indicate a serious benzodiazepine dependence that requires immediate medical attention—but they represent only part of the withdrawal experience. Psychological manifestations of benzodiazepine withdrawal are equally challenging and distressing.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal deeply affects your mind and emotions. The psychological and emotional symptoms can be as intense, if not worse, than the physical ones, which makes the recovery process even more challenging.
Huff, et. al. explain that many people experience protracted symptoms of benzo withdrawal, such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues, that can persist for months or years.
Here are the common psychological symptoms of withdrawal from benzodiazepines:
Anxiety during benzodiazepine withdrawal can feel constant and overwhelming. It’s often more intense than any pre-existing anxiety. This happens because benzodiazepine withdrawal disrupts the neurotransmitter balance. Without the drug, the nervous system becomes hyperactive and amplifies feelings of unease, dread, or fear. This heightened state of alertness is a natural reaction as the brain recalibrates and slowly restores its ability to regulate anxiety.
Panic attacks during withdrawal are sudden, intense episodes of fear or terror that often come without warning. They may be accompanied by chest tightness, rapid breathing, sweating, or a sense of impending doom. The brain’s stress response overreacts to small triggers as if they are major threats. Even situations that previously felt safe can provoke an exaggerated fear response.
Depression during benzodiazepine withdrawal is marked by persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in daily activities. The absence of mood-regulating chemicals caused by benzo abuse leads to a temporary emotional downturn. You might feel emotionally numb or overwhelmed by negative thoughts. This isn’t a reflection of your true emotional state but rather a symptom of the brain trying to rebalance itself.
Mood swings during withdrawal are unpredictable and extreme. You might shift from anger to sadness in a matter of minutes. This emotional instability is caused by the brain’s difficulty in managing emotions without the stabilizing effects of benzodiazepines.
Irritability and agitation are common as the brain adjusts to the overstimulation caused by withdrawal. Minor frustrations might trigger outsized reactions, and restlessness can make it difficult to relax. You may feel on edge, impatient, or easily angered. These feelings can affect relationships and daily interactions but are temporary.
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, often distressing ideas that seem to appear out of nowhere. They can be irrational fears, obsessive concerns, or unsettling images that feel hard to control. During withdrawal, the brain’s ability to filter and manage thought processes is impaired, hence these episodes.
Paranoia is a common drug withdrawal symptom. It causes distrust, fear, or suspicion, even when no threat exists. The state of heightened vigilance stems from the brain’s overstimulated fight-or-flight response. You might feel like others are judging you, plotting against you, or that the world is unsafe. These thoughts are a byproduct of the nervous system’s hyperactivity and typically fade as the brain stabilizes.
“Brain fog” makes it hard to focus on tasks, process information, or retain memories when you’re going through benzodiazepine withdrawal. Your brain is trying to calibrate after being slowed down by benzodiazepines. Everyday activities that require mental clarity, such as reading or problem-solving, often feel exhausting or frustrating. Brain fog is temporary and improves as the brain regains its natural rhythm.
Insomnia is a hallmark of benzodiazepine withdrawal. The damaging impacts of benzo use on your brain hinder your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested. Without their sedative effects, the brain becomes overstimulated and battles racing thoughts or physical restlessness at night. The lack of sleep often exacerbates other withdrawal symptoms, creating a challenging cycle.
Emotional hypersensitivity makes you overly reactive to situations, with even minor events triggering strong emotional responses. You might cry easily, feel overwhelmed by joy or sadness, or experience intense empathy for others. This is another consequence of the brain’s heightened sensitivity during withdrawal. While it can be overwhelming, it’s also a sign that your emotional system is reawakening.
The psychological symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal often overlap with or worsen existing mental health conditions. Co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depression, frequently accompany benzodiazepine use. This requires comprehensive care that addresses the addiction and underlying mental health issues.
Our dual diagnosis treatment provides an integrated approach that helps you manage withdrawal while uncovering and treating the root causes of their struggles for lasting recovery. Reach out to our Utah rehab center, and get the expert support you need to navigate benzodiazepine addiction treatment fully.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) refers to lingering symptoms that persist long after the acute phase of benzodiazepine withdrawal has ended. These symptoms can last months or even years and they often include anxiety, depression, cognitive difficulties, insomnia, and emotional instability.
Unlike the acute withdrawal symptoms, which are tied to the body eliminating the drug, PAWS results from long-term neuroadaptive changes caused by benzodiazepine use. A 2021 study theorizes that PAWS poses unique challenges for older adults because the symptoms are often worsened by pre-existing health issues.
Post-acute withdrawal syndrome demands personalized care because of its complex and variable nature. The persistent symptoms often drive people back to substance use. Our relapse prevention services and comprehensive care help you overcome these obstacles and achieve lasting recovery.
Researchers from Iceland describe a timeline where acute benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 1–4 days and last 10–14 days, depending on the drug’s half-life (the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body).
After the initial acute phase, where physical symptoms are most intense, many people enter a longer recovery period that lasts several months. During this extended healing phase, the brain gradually rebalances its chemistry and learns to function normally without the medication. A gradual reduction in benzodiazepine dosage lets your brain adapt slowly and safely to functioning without the medication.
If you need expert medical support to safely taper off benzodiazepines, contact Ardu for compassionate care and guidance.
Successful benzodiazepine withdrawal depends heavily on having proper medical supervision and following a carefully structured tapering plan.
According to a 2006 study of long-term benzodiazepine users, patients who received structured medical support and a tapering schedule were five times more likely to successfully quit. While only 9% of patients quit benzos with standard care, 45% successfully discontinued when given personalized medical guidance and a gradual dose reduction plan.
Research shows that people who received specialized medical treatment achieved a 61.5% success rate in quitting benzos after three months. The outcome is influenced by how long the person took benzos, their dosage levels, and their overall health condition.
At Ardu, we do everything in our power to support your recovery and help you overcome the challenges of benzodiazepine withdrawal with confidence and care.
The first step in overcoming benzodiazepine dependence is a safe, medically supervised detox. Our comprehensive program addresses the physical dangers of withdrawal and the underlying psychological aspects of addiction through personalized tapering protocols.
Our integrated detox services include:
After completing detox, you can transition into comprehensive addiction treatment through several flexible program options that fit your needs and lifestyle. We offer multiple levels of care from intensive residential treatment with 24/7 support to partial hospitalization and outpatient programs that let you practice recovery skills while maintaining work and family responsibilities.
Our treatment approach combines proven therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR, all delivered by experienced clinicians who understand addiction and mental health disorders.
Whether beginning detox or continuing recovery, Ardu offers the tools and support you need to overcome addiction and achieve lasting change. Reach out today to learn how our programs can help you rebuild a healthier, brighter future.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Longer-acting benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) offer the smoothest withdrawal process because they leave your system gradually. Healthcare professionals often switch patients to these during medical detox since their extended half-life helps minimize severe withdrawal symptoms.
Shorter-acting benzos such as alprazolam (Xanax) clear quickly and cause more intense withdrawal symptoms. The recovery journey depends on proper medical supervision and personalized gradual tapering protocols regardless of medication type.
“Benzo belly” describes the intense gastrointestinal symptoms that occur during benzodiazepine withdrawal. This uncomfortable withdrawal symptom includes severe stomach pain, nausea, bloating, acid reflux, and alternating constipation and diarrhea that can mimic irritable bowel syndrome. Many patients report a complete loss of appetite that often leads to significant weight loss and nutritional concerns. These digestive disturbances typically emerge within the first week of withdrawal and can persist for months as part of the protracted withdrawal syndrome. While distressing, these gastrointestinal symptoms usually improve gradually as your body’s natural chemical balance is restored during the recovery journey.
Using benzodiazepines beyond 2–4 weeks is considered long-term use. Extended daily doses change how your brain produces natural calming chemicals and lead to physiological dependence even at therapeutic doses. Healthcare professionals warn against extended use because of the high risks of cognitive decline, adverse effects, and severe withdrawal symptoms.
Medical professionals create individualized tapering schedules reducing doses by 5–10% every 2–4 weeks. The withdrawal process typically starts by converting current medications to equivalent doses of longer-acting benzodiazepines. Initial symptoms are monitored closely to adjust the management of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Treatment length varies based on the duration of therapy, starting dose, and patient health.
During the withdrawal period, rebound anxiety emerges because your brain tries to adjust to functioning without benzodiazepines. While initial symptoms peak within two weeks of dose reduction, protracted withdrawals including anxiety may persist longer. Most people see improvement within 1–3 months through proper medical detox and behavioral therapy. Healthcare providers can help manage these psychological withdrawal effects.
Short-acting benzos work for 4–6 hours while longer-acting benzodiazepines last more than 24 hours. With extended use, these psychoactive drugs accumulate in your system, which explains why withdrawal symptoms can occur between daily doses. Medical professionals emphasize that stopping requires careful tapering rather than abrupt withdrawal.
Detection times vary by type of benzodiazepine, therapeutic doses taken, duration of therapy, and individual factors. Shorter-acting benzos may clear within days while longer-acting benzodiazepines remain detectable for weeks. Protracted symptoms from long-term use take months to resolve as brain chemistry normalizes.
The most dangerous form of benzodiazepine withdrawal occurs from abrupt discontinuation after long-term use, which can trigger life-threatening complications without medical supervision. Severe withdrawal symptoms include grand mal seizures, acute psychotic episodes, severe perceptual distortions, dangerous heart arrhythmias, and extreme autonomic instability affecting blood pressure and body temperature.
Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be more dangerous than opioid or alcohol withdrawal because of the risk of sudden death from seizures and autonomic dysfunction. This is why medical detox with 24/7 monitoring is essential, particularly for those taking high daily doses or who have been using benzos for an extended period.
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Brett, J., & Murnion, B. (2015). Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence. Australian Prescriber, 38(5), 152. https://doi.org/10.18773/austprescr.2015.055
Huff, C., Reid Finlayson, A. J., Foster, D. E., & Martin, P. R. (2023). Enduring neurological sequelae of benzodiazepine use: An Internet survey. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1177/20451253221145561
Lantz, M., Levya, R., Hartman, J., DiGenova, P., & Swift, A. (2021). The Withdrawal After the Withdrawal: Managing Benzodiazepine Reduction and Post-Acute Withdrawal in Older Adults. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 29(4), S100-S101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2021.01.096
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Vicens, C., Fiol, F., Llobera, J., Campoamor, F., Mateu, C., Alegret, S., & Socías, I. (2006). Withdrawal from long-term benzodiazepine use: Randomised trial in family practice. The British Journal of General Practice, 56(533), 958. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1934057/
MacDonald, T., Gallo, A., Basso-Hulse, G., & Hulse, G. (2022). Outcomes of patients treated with low-dose flumazenil for benzodiazepine detoxification: A description of 26 participants. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 237, 109517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109517
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