Benzodiazepine Addiction & Rehabilitation

Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs (tranquilizers and muscle relaxers) that along with painkillers (opiates) rank the highest in prescription drug abuse in the United States. Benzodiazepine addiction is a growing problem in society. Benzodiazepines (benzos) that are commonly abused and that are very addictive include Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines are typically prescribed as sleep aids or to relief anxiety or seizures. These medications are highly addictive given their sedating effects.

Benzodiazepine Types

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Requirement

Withdrawal from tranquilizers/benzodiazepines requires slowly decreasing the dosage of medication taken over a period of days under medical supervision. A withdrawal schedule is utilized to slowly wean the patient of the substance.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms of anti-anxiety medications are:

  • sleeplessness,
  • irritability,
  • anxiety,
  • feeling shaky,
  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • loss of appetite, and
  • in extreme cases, seizures.

Benzodiazepine Addiction & Toxicity

Some benzodiazepines are more addictive than others; as such, Clonazepam is often used in conventional detox centers for a safe detox from the more addictive and powerful drugs such as Xanax, Ativan and Valium. Limited amount of Clonazepam are given to limit the withdrawal symptoms. However, the body gets even more toxic and substituting one drug by another is not addressing the cause of the problem it is just postponing the solution.

Benzodiazepine Detoxification

Benzodiazepines drugs affect the central nervous system which cause depressed respiration and act as a depressant on the brain and body, slowing function and relaxing muscles. Benzodiazepines have been used in alcohol detox for it s similar effects to alcohol to prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms. However, the prolonged use of these drugs can lead to dependence, which makes the detox process very dangerous.

Generally, people addicted to many benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Ativan, and Valium can experience –

  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • insomnia,
  • irritability,
  • headaches,
  • fatigue,
  • sweating,
  • anxiety, and
  • seizures when they undergo the detox process.

The withdrawal process generally creates the symptoms benzodiazepines are indicated to treat.

Nutritional Detoxification

We find that our nutritional detox is a very safe way to remove the substance products from the addict’s body and control the withdrawal symptoms efficiently.

Until the toxins from benzodiazepine abuse have been completely removed from the body, it is important for the addict to remain under medical care. The cessation of benzodiazepine use can cause dangerous seizures until the drug is out of the body.

For some of the stronger drugs in this class, the toxins can remain in the body for 4-6 weeks, depending on the severity and length of the abuse.

Detoxification Program:

The detoxification program developed by Hubbard is aimed at mobilizing and eliminating foreign compounds, especially those stored in the fat.

Components include:
Exercise, preferably running, to stimulate circulation and enhance the turnover of fats.
Prescribed periods in a low temperature sauna to promote sweating. We use infrared sauna.
An exact regimen of vitamin, mineral, and oil intake. Niacin in gradually increasing doses is used to transiently increase fat mobilization. Oil supplementation both reduces enterohepatic recirculation and promotes the exchange of fat. Vitamin and mineral supplements are included to replace vitamins, minerals and electrolytes lost during increased sweating and to correct any nutritional deficiencies.
Sufficient liquids to offset the loss of body fluids through sweating.
A regular diet including plenty of fresh vegetables.
A properly ordered personal schedule which provides the person with the normally required amount of sleep. Clients are on this program up to 5 hours per day, every day, until program completion. Daily aerobic exercise is followed by frequent periods in a low-heat (60-80°C) sauna. Niacin is administered immediately prior to the exercise and sauna to assist with the mobilization and elimination process.

The program is pursued individually until a stable clinical improvement is achieved, generally from 4 to 28 days. For long term benzodiazepine abuse, a six week program is highly recommended. Please visit our Lifestyle Change for Addiction Program to get more details on the program.

Specific Addictions & Rehabilitation

Now is the Time to Mind Your Body & Mend Your Mind

HAWAII NATURAL DRUG REHABILITATION                                       & RAW DETOXIFICATION CENTER

Holistic Natural Residential Rehabilitation Programs for freedom from addiction to legal and illegal substances – drawing from Naturopathic and Detoxification medicine, Behavioral and Psychodynamic Therapy approaches, Stress Reduction Techniques, Meditation, Yoga and Spiritual Practices. We take only a small amount of clients, and our programs are individually designed. Our use of the ocean, the recreational activities & natural approaches facilitate recovery.

Natural Drug and Alcohol Detoxification with Raw Foods

 

What Others Experienced

Perhaps most valuable was the attentive natural medical support; I feel all of the above could be wasted without it. Dr. Baylac studied my case thoroughly, ordered tests that revealed underlying issues that MD’s have overlooked for years, and tweaked my customized supplement routine and IV therapy support as needed. Though drug withdrawals and food cravings were nursed to minimal discomfort (massages, teas, baths & lots of love helped), my first few weeks of detox were rough with mood instability, psychadellic flashbacks, nightmares, and occasional vomiting. I was probably a tough customer to restore to sanity, but because of her intuitive nurturing and sincere passion for helping, I was able to open up and trust Dr. Baylac and her phenomenal team to guide me to serenity.

SarahSept 2013

I stayed at the Retreat for 6 weeks and this time truly changed my life. I had surgery and became addicted to opiates. One thing led to another, and before I knew it seven years of my life went by on drugs. Methadone was my drug of choice and I had tried five ‘detoxes’ and two rehabs to kick this drug. Nothing seemed to work. I suffered hard at these traditional rehabs. But I was surrounded by negative people and bad food. At the Hawaii retreat it was almost the opposite. Yeah, I went through a rough detox but the food, saunas, enemas, hydrogen peroxide baths, massages and tons of other things made it bearable. I fully detoxed from methadone and it was not as painful as it had been in the past. I’m really grateful that I had the opportunity to come here.

DominicJuly 2012