Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Center

Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California

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John Ingham,
Medical & Behavioral Health Content Writer

Medically and Clinically Reviewed per our editorial standards

Key Points About Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

Physical dependence can occur during regular prescribed benzodiazepine use and does not automatically mean a person has a substance use disorder.
Abruptly stopping a benzodiazepine or reducing the dose too quickly can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including seizures or delirium in some cases.
Benzodiazepines are especially dangerous when combined with opioids, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants.
Counterfeit pills sold as Xanax or other prescription medications may contain fentanyl, illicit benzodiazepines, or substances with unpredictable potency.
Effective treatment may combine individualized withdrawal management, behavioral therapy, treatment for anxiety or other co-occurring conditions, relapse prevention, and continuing care.
Sanctuary provides multiple levels of care so treatment can begin at an appropriate level and change as stability and independence improve.

When you take a benzodiazepine for a legitimate medical condition, and you follow the directions of the professional who prescribed this medication to you, the benefits can be life changing. But if you misuse this medication, or if you abuse it for recreational purposes, the effects can be devastating. Thankfully, benzo addiction is a treatable condition. Benzo addiction treatment in Los Angeles, California can be one of the best options for safely and comfortably overcoming this addiction.

Sanctuary Treatment Center offers a full continuum of care for adults who are struggling with benzodiazepine misuse or benzodiazepine use disorder and for clients whose withdrawal needs require a structured addiction treatment setting. Physical dependence can develop even when a benzodiazepine is taken exactly as prescribed, but physical dependence alone is not the same as addiction.

Located in Tarzana in the San Fernando Valley, Sanctuary Treatment Center provides individualized care for adults throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Depending on a person’s assessment and clinical needs, care may include medically supervised withdrawal management, residential treatment, a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), standard outpatient treatment, dual diagnosis services, therapy, and aftercare planning.

What Are Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are prescription sedative medications used for several legitimate medical purposes. Depending on the medication, they may be prescribed for anxiety or panic disorders, insomnia, seizures, acute alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, or sedation before a medical procedure.

Benzodiazepines increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, commonly called GABA, an inhibitory chemical messenger in the brain. This can reduce excessive nervous system activity and produce calming, anticonvulsant, muscle-relaxing, or sedating effects.

Common prescription benzodiazepines include:

Alprazolam, commonly known by the brand name Xanax
Clonazepam, commonly known by the brand name Klonopin
Lorazepam, commonly known by the brand name Ativan
Diazepam, commonly known by the brand name Valium
Temazepam, commonly known by the brand name Restoril
Chlordiazepoxide, commonly known by the brand name Librium
Triazolam, commonly known by the brand name Halcion
Oxazepam, sometimes known by the former brand name Serax

These medications differ in how quickly they take effect, how long they remain active, and how they are metabolized. Those differences can affect impairment, withdrawal timing, and how a clinician approaches a taper.

Physical Dependence, Tolerance, Misuse, and Addiction Are Not Identical

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different experiences.

Physical dependence means the body has adapted to regular exposure to a medication. A physically dependent person may develop withdrawal symptoms if a dose is missed, reduced too quickly, or stopped. Dependence can occur during appropriate prescribed use and does not by itself prove addiction.

Tolerance means the same dose produces less of an effect than it did before. A person may feel that a medication no longer works as well or may begin taking more in an attempt to recreate the earlier effect.

Misuse can include taking a larger dose than prescribed, taking doses more frequently, using the medication for a different purpose, combining it with alcohol or other drugs, or taking medication prescribed to someone else.

Benzodiazepine use disorder involves a problematic pattern of use that continues despite harm or loss of control. It may include cravings, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, hazardous use, neglect of responsibilities, continued use despite health or relationship consequences, or substantial time spent obtaining and using benzodiazepines.

A person can be physically dependent without having a benzodiazepine use disorder. A person can also have both. A careful assessment is necessary because the appropriate treatment for prescribed physical dependence may differ from treatment for compulsive nonmedical use, polysubstance use, or addiction.

When Can Prescribed Benzodiazepine Use Become a Concern?

Taking a benzodiazepine exactly as prescribed does not eliminate the possibility of physical dependence, side effects, or a change in the medication’s risk-benefit balance over time.

It may be time to speak with a medical professional when:

You experience withdrawal symptoms between doses or after missing a dose
You feel unable to function without the medication
You take more than prescribed or run out early
You have begun combining benzodiazepines with alcohol, opioids, or other sedatives
You have had falls, accidents, blackouts, memory problems, or significant daytime sedation
You obtain additional pills from friends, multiple prescribers, online sellers, or illicit sources
You have tried to reduce the medication but could not tolerate the symptoms
The medication is no longer helping as intended
Your anxiety, sleep, mood, or substance use has become more difficult to manage
A prescriber has recommended tapering, but you are worried about withdrawal or have had a difficult taper before

Do not stop or rapidly reduce a regularly used benzodiazepine without medical guidance. Treatment should account for the original reason the medication was prescribed as well as the risks of continued use and withdrawal.

How Does Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles, California Work?

If you have been considering benzo addiction treatment in Los Angeles for yourself or a loved one, it is important to explore – and understand – your options. A key factor when selecting a benzo addiction treatment center is determining which of the following levels of care are right for you:

Treatment begins with an assessment of the person’s immediate safety, current benzodiazepine use, withdrawal risk, mental health, physical health, other substance use, previous treatment, and recovery environment. This information helps determine whether care should begin in medical detox, residential treatment, PHP, IOP, or outpatient treatment.

A benzodiazepine assessment may consider:

Which benzodiazepine or benzodiazepines are being used
The current dose, frequency, route, and duration of use
Whether the medication was prescribed, obtained elsewhere, or may be counterfeit
The timing of the most recent dose
Previous attempts to stop or reduce use
Prior withdrawal symptoms, seizures, delirium, or hallucinations
Use of alcohol, opioids, sleep medications, gabapentinoids, or other sedating drugs
Use of stimulants or other substances
Current prescriptions and possible medication interactions
Anxiety, panic, trauma, depression, insomnia, or other mental health symptoms
Medical conditions that may affect withdrawal or medication metabolism
Recent overdose, falls, accidents, suicidal thoughts, or other safety concerns
Stability and support outside treatment

The goal is not to force every client through the same sequence. It is to match the treatment setting, tapering support, therapies, and continuing-care plan to the person’s actual needs.

Detox

Benzo detox in Los Angeles can help you manage withdrawal and reduce avoidable distress. When you try to stop using benzos after developing physical dependence or addiction, you may develop painful physical and psychological symptoms. The professionals who provide care at benzo detox centers in Los Angeles can monitor your safety and support your comfort while the medication is reduced or discontinued according to an individualized clinical plan.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal management is not simply a matter of waiting for a drug to leave the body. People who have used benzodiazepines regularly may need a gradual taper. The taper may begin in a medically supervised setting and continue at another level of care when the person is stable enough to do so.

Some people can taper safely through outpatient medical care. Others may need detox or another medically managed setting because of high-dose or long-term use, a history of withdrawal seizures, severe symptoms, concurrent alcohol or opioid use, significant medical or psychiatric concerns, or an unstable recovery environment.

Learn About Medical Detox

Why Is It Dangerous to Stop Benzodiazepines Cold Turkey?

Abrupt discontinuation or a rapid dosage reduction can trigger withdrawal after the body has adapted to regular benzodiazepine exposure. Withdrawal severity varies and cannot be predicted from dose alone.

Possible withdrawal symptoms include:

Anxiety, panic, agitation, or irritability
Insomnia, nightmares, or disrupted sleep
Tremors or shaking
Sweating
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, or appetite changes
Headache, muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness
Dizziness or problems with balance
Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or motion
Difficulty concentrating or problems with memory
Depersonalization, derealization, or feeling disconnected
Tingling, burning, crawling, or electric-shock sensations
Heart palpitations or increased blood pressure
Perceptual disturbances
Hallucinations
Confusion or delirium
Seizures

Seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, or rapidly worsening symptoms require emergency medical care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

What Does a Benzodiazepine Taper Involve?

Possible withdrawal symptoms include:

Anxiety, panic, agitation, or irritability
Insomnia, nightmares, or disrupted sleep
Tremors or shaking
Sweating
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, or appetite changes
Headache, muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness
Dizziness or problems with balance
Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or motion
Difficulty concentrating or problems with memory
Depersonalization, derealization, or feeling disconnected
Tingling, burning, crawling, or electric-shock sensations
Heart palpitations or increased blood pressure
Perceptual disturbances
Hallucinations
Confusion or delirium
Seizures

Seizures, severe confusion, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, or rapidly worsening symptoms require emergency medical care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Inpatient Treatment

After completing the first step of benzo addiction treatment, many people transfer into an inpatient rehab center. At the inpatient level, you will live at the facility while you’re receiving treatment. The benefits of inpatient treatment include being in a safe and supportive place, working with experienced professionals, following a structured schedule, and taking part in multiple types of therapy.

Residential treatment can be particularly valuable when benzodiazepine use is connected to other substance use, repeated relapse, an unsafe home environment, severe anxiety or trauma symptoms, difficulty following a taper plan, or a need for substantial daily structure.

Sanctuary’s residential facilities are intentionally small, with a maximum of six beds in each facility. This setting allows clients to receive individualized attention while participating in therapy, relapse-prevention work, peer support, wellness activities, and planning for the next level of care.

Explore Residential Treatment

Outpatient Programs

Some people step down to outpatient benzo addiction treatment after completing an inpatient program. At the outpatient level, you will have additional flexibility and personal freedom, but you will not receive round-the-clock care. The only time you will need to be at an outpatient center is when you are participating in a treatment session.

Outpatient care may also be an appropriate starting point for some medically stable clients who have adequate support and can safely follow their medical and treatment plans outside program hours.

Partial Hospitalization Program

A Partial Hospitalization Program provides intensive daytime treatment while allowing the client to live outside the treatment facility when clinically appropriate. PHP can support people who no longer require residential care but still need substantial structure, frequent therapy, psychiatric support, and close treatment-team involvement.

Intensive Outpatient Program

An Intensive Outpatient Program provides structured treatment on a less intensive schedule than PHP. IOP can help clients continue addressing benzodiazepine misuse, anxiety, insomnia, trauma, other substance use, and relapse risk while beginning to resume work, school, family, or other responsibilities.

Standard Outpatient Treatment

Standard outpatient treatment offers the greatest scheduling flexibility. It may include individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric services, relapse-prevention planning, and coordination with outside medical providers. Some clients transition into outpatient treatment after higher levels of care, while others may begin here following an assessment.

A person whose benzodiazepine taper continues after detox or residential treatment may need ongoing coordination between the addiction treatment team and the clinician managing the medication.

Medication-Assisted Treatment and Benzodiazepines

There are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder, the diagnostic category that includes benzodiazepine use disorder. Benzodiazepine treatment therefore should not be described as though one maintenance medication directly treats the disorder in the same way that certain medications treat opioid or alcohol use disorder.

Medication can still be an important part of care. A clinician may manage a gradual benzodiazepine taper, address specific withdrawal symptoms, or treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, or another co-occurring condition.

Sanctuary also offers medication-assisted treatment when clinically appropriate for co-occurring opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder. Benzodiazepine use increases risk when combined with opioid medications, but it should not automatically prevent someone with opioid use disorder from receiving buprenorphine or methadone. These situations require careful medical coordination, overdose education, and monitoring.

Treatment Planning and Aftercare

Recovery support should continue after detox, residential treatment, PHP, or IOP. A benzodiazepine taper or the effects of withdrawal may also continue beyond the initial treatment episode.

Aftercare planning may include:

Continued outpatient therapy
Coordination with a prescribing or tapering clinician
Psychiatric follow-up
Treatment for anxiety, panic, insomnia, trauma, or depression
Medication management
Peer or mutual-support groups
Family support
Relapse and overdose-prevention planning
Naloxone access when opioid exposure is possible
Recovery housing or other environmental support when appropriate
Follow-up for persistent withdrawal symptoms
A plan for responding quickly if benzodiazepine or other substance use returns

A possible treatment progression may be:

Medical Detox → Residential Treatment → PHP → IOP → Outpatient Treatment → Aftercare

Not every client needs every level, and the sequence should change when clinical needs change.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Can Continue Beyond Acute Detox

Many people improve as the dose is gradually reduced and the nervous system adjusts. However, some experience symptoms that persist beyond the expected period for the medication to leave the body.

Protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal can include ongoing anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, cognitive difficulty, gastrointestinal symptoms, sensory disturbances, tinnitus, agitation, depression, or abnormal skin sensations. Symptoms can last for months or longer in a subset of patients.

Persistent symptoms should be taken seriously, but they also require careful evaluation. Anxiety, sleep disturbance, depression, trauma symptoms, medication side effects, and other medical or psychiatric conditions can resemble or overlap with withdrawal. Follow-up helps the treatment team distinguish among these possibilities and adjust care.

A slow, individualized taper may reduce the risk of severe or prolonged symptoms, but no taper can guarantee that withdrawal will be symptom-free.

Signs & Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction

People who abuse benzodiazepines may exhibit the following physical and psychological signs:

Little to no energy
Slow or shallow breathing
Headaches
Loss of appetite
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Coordination problems
Nausea
Constipation
Confusion and disorientation
Inability to follow a conversation
Impaired memory

These effects may reflect intoxication, excessive sedation, a medication interaction, or another health problem and do not by themselves prove addiction. Slow or shallow breathing is especially concerning when benzodiazepines have been combined with opioids, alcohol, or other sedatives.

When a person’s benzo abuse causes them to become addicted to the drug, they may exhibit signs such as the following:

Trying to borrow or steal benzos that were prescribed to someone else
Attempting to trick doctors into giving them multiple prescriptions
Purchasing benzos from illicit online sources
Becoming agitated when they can’t use benzos
Using benzos in larger amounts or more frequently than they used to
Lying about or trying to hide their benzo use
Combining benzos with alcohol or other drugs
Missing important personal or professional obligations due to their benzo use

Other possible signs include strong cravings, repeated failed attempts to cut down, using in hazardous situations, continuing despite health or relationship consequences, and spending substantial time obtaining, using, or recovering from benzodiazepines.

If someone that you care about has been showing the signs listed above, they may need comprehensive benzo addiction treatment in Los Angeles. Without effective treatment, a person who is addicted to benzos remains at risk for considerable physical, psychological, and social harm.

Benzodiazepine Overdose Warning Signs

Benzodiazepines, opioids, and alcohol can all depress the central nervous system. Combining them can intensify sedation and impair breathing, judgment, coordination, and consciousness.

Risk may increase when a person:

Combines Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium, or another benzodiazepine with alcohol
Uses a benzodiazepine with fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, or another opioid
Takes more than one sedative medication
Uses an unfamiliar or illicit pill
Returns to use after a period of reduced tolerance
Has sleep apnea, lung disease, liver disease, or another medical vulnerability
Uses alone where no one can respond to an overdose

People who are prescribed both an opioid and a benzodiazepine should not abruptly stop either medication without speaking with a clinician. A coordinated plan can address overdose risk while avoiding unsafe withdrawal or disruption of effective treatment for opioid use disorder.

Counterfeit Xanax and Illicit Designer Benzodiazepines

A pill that looks like prescription Xanax may not contain alprazolam. Counterfeit pills can contain illicitly manufactured fentanyl, highly potent benzodiazepines, or multiple substances in unpredictable amounts.

Illicit or “designer” benzodiazepines identified in the drug supply have included substances such as bromazolam, etizolam, and flualprazolam. These drugs may not appear on routine drug screens, and their potency or duration can differ from what a person expects.

Counterfeit pills are especially dangerous because:

Appearance, imprint, shape, and color cannot confirm contents
One batch may be substantially different from another
A person may be exposed to fentanyl without knowing it
Sedation may last longer or become more severe than expected
Naloxone will not reverse the benzodiazepine component
Combining an illicit pill with alcohol or another drug can further increase risk

The safest approach is to take only medication prescribed to you and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy. Anyone using pills obtained outside a pharmacy should be informed about naloxone, fentanyl test strips where available, not using alone, and the limits of drug checking.

Why Mixing Benzodiazepines With Opioids or Alcohol Is Dangerous

A benzodiazepine overdose or mixed-drug overdose may cause:

Extreme drowsiness or inability to stay awake
Inability to wake the person
Severe confusion
Slurred speech
Loss of coordination
Weakness or limpness
Slow, irregular, or stopped breathing
Blue, gray, or pale lips or fingertips
Vomiting while unconscious
Loss of consciousness

Call 911 immediately if an overdose is suspected.

If opioid exposure is possible, administer naloxone if it is available. Naloxone does not reverse benzodiazepine effects, but it can reverse an opioid that may have been taken intentionally or may be hidden in a counterfeit pill. Stay with the person, follow the dispatcher’s instructions, and provide rescue breathing or CPR if trained.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Benzodiazepine Use and Mental Health

Many people begin taking benzodiazepines for anxiety, panic, trauma symptoms, seizures, or insomnia. Others use them without a prescription to numb distress, sleep, manage stimulant effects, or cope with another mental health concern.

Treatment should address the condition for which the benzodiazepine was originally used. Otherwise, anxiety, insomnia, panic, or trauma symptoms may return or intensify during a taper and increase the risk of abandoning the plan or returning to nonmedical use.

Sanctuary’s dual diagnosis services can address benzodiazepine misuse alongside appropriate co-occurring mental health conditions. Depending on the person’s needs, care may include:

Psychiatric evaluation
Evidence-based medication management
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
Dialectical behavior therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Trauma-informed treatment
EMDR when clinically appropriate
Individual and group therapy
Family therapy and education
Mindfulness, sleep hygiene, and other supportive wellness practices

The goal is not simply to remove a medication. It is to help the client develop safer and more sustainable ways to manage the symptoms, stressors, and patterns that have contributed to benzodiazepine use.

Learn About Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Therapies Used in Benzodiazepine Rehab

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help clients identify relationships among thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and benzodiazepine use. It can also support coping skills, relapse prevention, anxiety management, and preparation for situations that previously triggered misuse.

CBT for insomnia can be particularly relevant when sleep problems emerge during a taper or were the original reason for benzodiazepine use.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills may help people who use benzodiazepines to escape intense emotions, interpersonal conflict, panic, or impulsive urges.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps clients respond differently to difficult thoughts and sensations while taking actions that reflect their values. This can be useful when a person fears withdrawal symptoms, experiences anxiety, or has relied on medication to avoid distress.

Individual, Group, and Family Therapy

Individual therapy provides private space to examine substance use, mental health, goals, relationships, and progress. Group therapy offers education, feedback, accountability, and connection with peers. Family therapy can help loved ones understand dependence and addiction, improve communication, establish healthier boundaries, and prepare for continued recovery.

Trauma-Informed and Holistic Support

Trauma-informed care prioritizes safety and avoids forcing clients into trauma processing before they are ready. EMDR or other trauma-focused services may be incorporated when clinically appropriate.

Holistic services such as mindfulness, yoga, movement, nutrition support, time outdoors, and other wellness activities can complement medical and behavioral treatment. They should support, not replace, withdrawal management, therapy, and treatment for co-occurring conditions.

Benefits of Our Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles

Knowing which level or levels of care you need can help you narrow down your search for treatment. To identify the best program for you, you will need to take a detailed look at several facets of each program you’re considering.

Here are a few features that may make Sanctuary Treatment Center the ideal place for you:

Multiple levels of care: At our benzo addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California, you have many different treatment options. Our teams work closely with each other to ensure continuity of care so our clients can build on the progress they made at the previous level.
Customized treatment: Our team understands that there is no such thing as effective one-size-fits-all treatment for benzo addiction. When you arrive at our center, we will assess your needs and develop a personalized plan just for you.
Comprehensive support: Untreated benzo addiction can destroy your self-confidence and self-esteem. At our center, we’ll help you rediscover your innate skills and talents so you can reunite with the best version of yourself. Every step of the way, you will be treated with the respect you deserve.
Long-term planning: The time you spend at our benzo rehab in Los Angeles or at any other level of care will be relatively brief. But the services you receive here are designed to yield lifelong benefits. We understand that your recovery journey will continue long after you have transitioned out of our care, and we’ll work diligently to help you develop skills that will serve you well for years to come.

Additional benefits of structured benzodiazepine treatment may include:

Professional assessment of withdrawal and overdose risk
A treatment plan that distinguishes prescribed dependence from addiction
Medical coordination during an individualized taper
Support for anxiety, panic, insomnia, trauma, depression, and other co-occurring needs
Treatment for alcohol, opioid, stimulant, or other substance use when applicable
A structured environment away from immediate access and triggers
Education for clients and families
Relapse and overdose-prevention planning
A step-down pathway through residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient care, and aftercare
Ongoing support for withdrawal symptoms that persist after the initial treatment stage

Sanctuary Treatment Center’s location in Tarzana provides access to a full continuum of addiction treatment in Los Angeles. Our small residential settings and multiple outpatient options allow the treatment plan to provide substantial structure when needed and greater independence as the client stabilizes.

How Long Does Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Last?

There is no standard length of benzodiazepine treatment or taper.

The timeline may depend on:

The benzodiazepine being used
Current dose and frequency
Length of use
Whether use is prescribed or illicit
Previous withdrawal experiences
Seizure risk
Co-occurring alcohol, opioid, or other substance use
Physical and mental health
Progress in therapy
Stability outside treatment
Insurance authorization and other practical factors

A client may complete initial stabilization in detox, continue treatment in residential care, and then transition through PHP, IOP, or outpatient treatment. The medication taper may follow a different timeline from the behavioral treatment episode and may require continued medical follow-up after a client changes levels of care.

Does Insurance Cover Benzodiazepine Rehab in Los Angeles?

Many health insurance plans include benefits for substance use disorder treatment, but coverage varies. Benefits may depend on medical necessity, the recommended level of care, network status, prior authorization, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and the specific plan.

Sanctuary Treatment Center can verify insurance benefits and explain potential coverage for medical detox, residential treatment, PHP, IOP, outpatient treatment, and related services. Insurance verification does not require a commitment to enter treatment.

Verify Insurance Benefits

Benefits of Our Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles

Sanctuary Treatment Center offers multiple levels of treatment to help you overcome benzo addiction here in Los Angeles, CA. The dedicated members of our team provide personalized care and focused support to help adults safely address problematic benzo use, complete an appropriate taper when indicated, and build a foundation for long-term success. Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one.

Call (888) 584-4314 to speak confidentially with the admissions team.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

Is Physical Dependence on Benzodiazepines the Same as Addiction?

No. Physical dependence is an adaptation that can occur during regular prescribed use. Addiction, or benzodiazepine use disorder, involves a problematic pattern of use, loss of control, or continued use despite harm. A person may have dependence without addiction, or both at the same time.

Can I Stop Taking Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, or Valium Cold Turkey?

Abruptly stopping a regularly used benzodiazepine can be dangerous. Withdrawal may include seizures, delirium, hallucinations, severe anxiety, or other complications. Speak with a qualified medical professional before changing the dose.

Does Everyone Need Inpatient Benzo Detox?

No. Many benzodiazepine tapers can occur in outpatient medical settings. Detox or another medically managed setting may be appropriate when there is severe or complicated withdrawal risk, high-dose or long-term use, a history of seizures, dangerous medication interactions, polysubstance use, significant mental or physical health concerns, or insufficient stability outside treatment.

How Long Does Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Last?

Withdrawal timing varies according to the medication, dose, duration of use, taper rate, health, and individual response. Some symptoms occur during dose reductions or shortly after discontinuation. A subset of people experience symptoms that persist for months or longer and require continued follow-up.

How Long Does a Benzo Taper Take?

A taper may last weeks, months, or longer. People who have taken benzodiazepines for years may need a taper lasting a year or more. The safest pace is determined by clinical risk and the person’s response rather than a fixed calendar.

Does Sanctuary Use One Standard Taper Schedule?

No single schedule is appropriate for every client. The medical plan should reflect the medication, dose, duration, withdrawal history, other prescriptions, substance use, physical health, mental health, and response to each reduction.

Are There Medications That Treat Benzodiazepine Addiction?

There is no FDA-approved medication specifically for benzodiazepine use disorder. Medical providers may use medication as part of an individualized taper, to manage certain symptoms, or to treat a co-occurring condition. Sanctuary may also provide medication-assisted treatment for co-occurring opioid or alcohol use disorder when clinically appropriate.

Can I Get Help if My Benzodiazepine Is Legally Prescribed?

Yes. A legitimate prescription does not prevent dependence, withdrawal, misuse, or changing risks over time. Treatment begins by understanding how the medication is being used and whether the person needs tapering support, addiction treatment, mental health care, or coordinated medical follow-up.

What if I Use Benzodiazepines With Fentanyl, Heroin, or Prescription Opioids?

Combining benzodiazepines with opioids increases the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Seek a professional assessment and keep naloxone available. Do not stop prescribed benzodiazepines, methadone, or buprenorphine abruptly without medical guidance.

Does Naloxone Reverse a Benzodiazepine Overdose?

Naloxone does not reverse benzodiazepine effects. It should still be given when opioid exposure is possible because an opioid may have been used with the benzodiazepine or may be present in a counterfeit pill. Always call 911.

Can Family Members Participate in Treatment?

Family involvement may be included when clinically appropriate and beneficial to the client. Education and family therapy can help loved ones understand withdrawal, addiction, overdose risk, boundaries, communication, and how to support recovery.

What Happens if Someone Returns to Benzodiazepine Use?

A return to use does not erase earlier progress. It may indicate that the treatment plan, taper, mental health care, recovery environment, or level of support needs to change. Contacting the treatment team quickly can reduce overdose risk and help the person re-engage in care.

Sources

American Society of Addiction Medicine. (n.d.). Benzodiazepine tapering. https://www.asam.org/quality-care/clinical-guidelines/benzodiazepine-tapering

Brunner, E., Chen, C.-Y. A., Klein, T., Maust, D., Mazer-Amirshahi, M., et al. (2025). Joint clinical practice guideline on benzodiazepine tapering: Considerations when risks outweigh benefits. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 40, 2814–2859. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-025-09499-2

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Drug overdose deaths with evidence of counterfeit pill use—United States, July 2019–December 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(35), 949–956. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7235a3.htm

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Benzodiazepines and opioids. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Drugs A to Z: Sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/drugs-a-to-z

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Opioid overdose reversal medications. https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/overdose-prevention/opioid-overdose-reversal

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020, September 23). Benzodiazepine drug class: Drug safety communication—Boxed warning updated to improve safe use. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/benzodiazepine-drug-class-drug-safety-communication-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use