Benzo Withdrawal Timeline & Symptoms: What to Expect (and What Might Surprise You)

How long it takes to withdraw from benzodiazepines, or benzos, will vary for everyone, as will the benzo withdrawal symptoms. It is crucial to know what to expect in the withdrawal timeline and how to seek benzo withdrawal help if needed.

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What Is Benzo Withdrawal?

Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are drugs that act on the GABA receptors in the central nervous system. Benzos produce feelings of relaxation and sedation that can help people stay calm and fall asleep more easily.

But, benzo use becomes problematic when people use these drugs long-term, use the drugs in ways other than directed, or use the drugs without a legitimate medical reason to experience sedative, euphoric, and intoxicating effects.

Misuse of benzos can lead to someone developing a tolerance and needing more of the drug to achieve the desired effects. They soon develop a dependence on the drug. When they stop taking it abruptly, they experience uncomfortable symptoms of benzo withdrawal. Having a reliance on benzos can lead to addiction.

While physical symptoms often occur when someone with benzodiazepine dependence stops use, benzo addiction is psychological and marked by a series of behavioral changes that prioritize drug use above other activities and responsibilities.

Chronic drug use can change the brain in ways that make people experience compulsive urges to use drugs despite knowing there may be negative consequences. They cannot stop taking the drug despite their desire and efforts.

Common risk factors for benzo addiction include:

• Genetics
• Environment
• Peer pressure
• Experimenting with drugs at an early age
• History of trauma

Getting help to ease benzo withdrawal symptoms can help someone enter recovery.

Benzo Withdrawal Timeline

There are three phases of detoxing from benzos, each with various symptoms. Many factors contribute to symptoms and symptom severity, such as how long someone has been using benzos, the amount they use, and whether they mix other substances with benzos.

Early Withdrawal

The first phase is early withdrawal and occurs within six to 24 hours after the last use of the drug. Someone may experience rebound anxiety and irritability. They may also find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, which are symptoms of benzo withdrawal insomnia.

Acute Phase

The second phase in the benzo withdrawal timeline is the acute phase, when symptoms may become more serious and include the following:

• Hallucinations
• Tremors
• Nausea
• Sensory issues

The acute phase typically occurs after two days and can last up to two weeks. Medical monitoring and treatment can help reduce acute symptoms and ensure safety.

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Protracted Withdrawal

Mild post-acute withdrawal symptoms can linger for weeks and months, and someone may experience brain fog, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, and other physical or psychological symptoms.

The duration of a person’s benzodiazepine withdrawal will vary for each individual. However, these symptoms are treatable and do not have to interfere with recovery.

Unexpected Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms

Aside from the common benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, some people may experience unusual and unexpected symptoms. It is crucial to notify a doctor of any withdrawal symptoms, including the following that may occur during a benzodiazepine detox.

Benzo Belly

Someone may experience gastrointestinal issues during withdrawal because there are GABA receptors in the gut.

Withdrawal from benzos can lead to benzo withdrawal symptoms in the gut, including:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Bloating
• Heartburn
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

While there is no benzo belly cure, tapering off benzos instead of quitting cold turkey can ease symptoms.

Benzo “Withdrawal Eyes”

Blurry vision and headaches are typical symptoms for several types of substance withdrawal , including benzo withdrawal. These symptoms occur as a result of abrupt changes to brain chemistry and may last for several days or weeks or until you fully overcome benzodiazepine dependence.

A benzo detox treatment may help reduce these symptoms, especially if treatment involves the use of other medications and over-the-counter medicines to relieve headaches.

Tinnitus and Sound Sensitivity

Benzos can dull the senses when abused or used long-term, which is why those who quit the drugs cold turkey often become highly sensitive to bright lights, loud noises, and touch during the first several days of withdrawal.

While sensory changes may be unpleasant and overwhelming at first, recovering from benzo addiction can help you regain clarity of perception and appreciate senses that were dulled by drug abuse.

Crawling Skin or “Coke Bugs”

Some people may experience sensations of bugs crawling on or under their skin, known as formication and also referred to as “coke bugs.” Benzos are muscle relaxers, and when someone stops taking them, it may cause the muscles and nerves to react.

Crawling skin may be accompanied by itching, tingling, numbness, or patches of hot or cold sensation. Burning skin benzo withdrawal symptoms may also appear.

Shortness of Breath

Benzo withdrawal shortness of breath is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. However, it could be a sign of multiple issues, including anxiety, benzo withdrawal seizures, increased blood pressure, or cardiovascular problems. Whenever someone experiences shortness of breath, they should notify their clinician immediately.

Hallucinations or Visual Misperceptions

Most benzo withdrawal hallucinations that occur are visual disturbances, especially when someone quits taking benzos abruptly. However, someone may also experience misperceptions with their hearing, taste, touch, and smell.

These may occur due to the brain’s neurotransmitters attempting to rebalance. A slow clinical benzo taper plan may be a solution to avoid hallucinations.

Aggression

Benzo withdrawal can cause irritability, mood swings, and aggression for the same reasons; it can lead to anxiety and benzo withdrawal depression.

Benzos are known to decrease your brain’s activity of serotonin, a brain chemical responsible for regulating anxiety and happiness. Lower amounts of serotonin are linked to aggression, but many times, these feelings are only temporary and will gradually regulate as you continue recovering from benzo dependence.

Suicidal Ideation or Thoughts

Depression is a common benzodiazepine withdrawal symptom. For some, it can be severe and lead to suicidal thoughts.

Suicidal ideation is a severe benzodiazepine withdrawal symptom that can occur when changes in brain chemistry lead to the severe depletion of serotonin and norepinephrine. These are the same brain chemicals that, when reduced, can cause benzo withdrawal depression, aggression, and other mood disorders.

Some people going through benzodiazepine withdrawal may also contemplate suicide as a way to avoid physical and psychological pain and discomfort caused by withdrawal symptoms.

If you or someone you love is considering self-harm or suicide during benzo withdrawal, contact a doctor or emergency services immediately to get help.

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Talking to someone about your struggles with benzo addiction and withdrawal can help reduce your urges to hurt yourself and result in your getting benzo detox treatment so you can get safely through withdrawal with a lowered risk for suicide.

Psychotherapy and antidepressants significantly reduce these symptoms. Medicines can boost the serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, making someone feel happier.

Weight Loss or Gain

People may experience weight loss benzo withdrawal effects due to the negative belly symptoms. Others may struggle with benzos and weight gain. They may not experience any gastrointestinal problems and may feel like eating many different foods. In such cases, some people gain weight during withdrawal due to overeating.

However, loss of appetite can also be triggered by other benzo withdrawal symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and benzo withdrawal nausea. Benzos work by slowing down the central nervous system, which in turn can slow down digestive processes, suppressing appetite and reducing hunger.

How Long Does Benzo Withdrawal Last?

Understanding how long benzo withdrawal lasts means knowing all the various factors that contribute to withdrawal symptoms.

The benzo withdrawal timeline is affected by the following:

• The type of benzo, short vs. long-acting
• Tapering speed
• Physical and psychological health
• Length of use
• Tolerance or amount of use
• Gender
• Age
• Metabolism

Brain healing after benzos must occur, and this can take longer for some people. For some, symptoms may fade quickly. For others, they may linger for months or years.

Dangers of Quitting Cold Turkey

Quitting benzos cold turkey can rapidly cause acute withdrawal symptoms, which can be severe and life-threatening.

Symptoms can include:

• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Acute anxiety or panic
• Psychosis
• Suicidal thoughts
• Relapse that could be toxic

Getting benzo withdrawal support from medical professionals can help someone avoid dangerous symptoms. Benzo withdrawal treatment should include slow tapering and medical monitoring to treat symptoms as they arise.

How to Get Off Benzos Safely

Working with a doctor and medical staff is crucial to safely weaning off benzos. With medical care, various slow-dose tapering schedules can be applied, depending on individual needs. A typical tapering schedule involves a 5% to 10% dose reduction every two to four weeks.

Benzo detox at home may be an option as long as strict medical care is involved. Benzo withdrawal help should come from an inpatient or outpatient detox program that uses medication-assisted detox strategies to ensure the withdrawal process is safe and comfortable.

Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of a person’s benzo use disorder and withdrawal symptoms, there are various levels of care for benzo withdrawal treatment. To determine the best level of treatment, request a comprehensive evaluation from a physician or the staff at a treatment center.

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Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient benzo detox treatment is the safest way to detox from benzos, especially for someone with intense withdrawal symptoms.

This type of treatment provides 24/7 medical supervision and staff who can treat symptoms as they occur. Medications often used during detox include phenobarbital and long-acting benzodiazepines as part of a taper.

Medical staff can also address any adverse physical or psychological symptoms that unexpectedly arise.

Inpatient benzo detox is typically followed by inpatient rehab, where participants can enter individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for benzo recovery, learn recovery skills, and receive treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions.

Outpatient Therapy and Support

Outpatient benzo detox and therapy is best for someone with mild benzo withdrawal symptoms and who has an excellent support system at home. Outpatient therapy, like inpatient therapy, can treat anyone with a benzo addiction or a dual diagnosis, meaning they have an addiction and a mental health disorder.

Long-term recovery is more likely when someone has a treatment plan consisting of therapy for benzo addiction, medications, peer support, and community resources.

Protracted Withdrawal and Brain Healing

Protracted withdrawal refers to the long-term symptoms that may linger for months or years after quitting benzos. Symptoms may include memory loss, cognitive delays, brain fog, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Fortunately, with the right help, the brain can be retrained due to brain neuroplasticity during recovery. Brain healing after benzos, along with GABA and glutamate regulation restoration, can occur. Benzo withdrawal symptoms will improve, including benzo withdrawal eyes, digestive issues, and cognition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When to Seek Help for Benzo Withdrawal

Benzo withdrawal help is available for anyone at any stage of their addiction or withdrawal timeline. However, if you are experiencing any of the following, seek help immediately.

• Seizures
• Seizures from benzo withdrawal
• Hallucinations from benzos
• Hallucinations from benzo withdrawal
• Panic attacks
• Heart palpitations
• Benzo withdrawal psychosis
• Suicidal ideations

Don’t wait until you have severe symptoms to seek help. Get benzo withdrawal help now. Find a benzo detox treatment program near you and get back to living the healthy, happy life you deserve.

You don’t have to recover alone. Call today.

800-996-6135

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