Rehab treatment for benzodiazepines encompasses withdrawal management programs, behavioral therapy sessions, and aftercare interventions. These phases can be done in different types of facilities which can work effectively depending on the level of a person’s benzodiazepine addiction.
Benzodiazepines are known for their calming and sedating effects. Its prescription is meant to treat anxiety, sleeplessness, and seizures, but most individuals take advantage of its impact as an antidepressant. Benzos are commonly abused in conjunction with opioid stimulants to prevent these drugs from inducing insomnia.
Even when used as prescribed, benzos can be habit-forming. A person may develop a tolerance for the drug, seek higher doses, and eventually find themselves physically and psychologically dependent on the substance. The only way to resolve this condition is to seek medical rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation is a process of providing medical interventions for a person to overcome their substance use disorder (SUD). The first step of the treatment is a clinical assessment where the disorder can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Medical history and family background are also evaluated as contributing factors to the ailment.
Once a clinical diagnosis is determined, the physician will now recommend a type of treatment that best suits the needs of the patient.
Types Of Rehabilitation
The types of rehabilitation can be classified according to the facility where the treatment takes place. There are two types of facilities that can shelter the specific needs of a patient and these are the following:
Inpatient treatment
Inpatient treatment is intended for individuals who suffer from severe addiction or complex conditions such as co-occurring health problems – physical or mental. This is a type of care where the patients can be medically supervised for 24 hours since they have to leave their domestic life and live in a rehab facility.
Inpatient treatment is intensive. The person is required to stay exclusively in the facility and is limited from any communication outside. This is to ensure that they are away from distractions and that their focus is solely on attending to their daily schedule.
Outpatient treatment
Outpatient treatment is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate addiction. In this type of care, patients may go through treatment without letting go of their usual responsibilities. They can work and go home while attending their treatment sessions at a certain time of the week.
Outpatient treatment can serve as a step-down approach to sustain recovery, particularly for individuals who have just completed their inpatient treatment. There are two types of programs for outpatient care and these are the following:
- Partial hospitalization program. This requires a daily session that lasts up to a maximum of 6 hours.
- Intensive outpatient program. This is a type of treatment where patients meet their therapist only when they find it necessary.
Withdrawal management program
This is also known as the detoxification stage, the first level of treatment. It is the process of getting rid of the substance in the body. Detox must be aided medically to prevent complications. With this, treatment is guaranteed safe and less painful.
Withdrawal management for benzodiazepines requires a taper schedule and in some cases, a prescription of medications. When a person opts to detox on their own, they may struggle from a rebound of the illness for which the benzo is prescribed or suffer from relapse.
Withdrawal management is essential to prevent withdrawal resets which can pose harmful effects on one’s health. The duration of a detox treatment varies for every person. Averagely, it takes about two weeks for the withdrawal symptoms to start to subside. For serious conditions, these symptoms can last for up to two years.
Behavioral therapy sessions
Behavioral therapy sessions help allow patients to take control of their actions. The target of these sessions is to guide patients in shaping behavior that leans towards valuing their health and overcoming their attachment to substance abuse.
There are many programs available to achieve this objective. These programs include the following:
Motivational interview
The role of the therapist in this process is to help the patient perceive their life without engaging in substance abuse. They must be able to see how life could be better if they live this way. Therapists must also encourage patients to practice a positive outlook for treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This is also known as CBT. It centers on helping the patient identify what triggers their addiction. The therapist teaches the person how to develop skills in overcoming these triggers without engaging in substance abuse.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
This is also known as REBT. The therapist will help the patient realize the power of a strong will. It aims to emphasize that every person is capable of directing their thoughts, emotions, and actions and that they can overcome self-defeat and negative thoughts.
Contingency Management
This is also called CM. It aims to make a person understand that there is a great advantage in life if one chooses to stay sober. The therapist will guide the patients in particular understanding that healthy habits are coupled with rewarding experiences in life.
Aftercare interventions
Aftercare interventions allow patients to sustain their recovery after treatment. The first six months after rehab is a vulnerable phase for a person. The temptation to use the substance again could strongly occur anytime. But if you engage with aftercare programs, relapse can be prevented.
The following are examples of aftercare programs:
Sober living homes
This is a residence designed for individuals whose source trigger is found at home. To prevent this encounter, patients settle in sober living homes while they continue their meetings with a therapist or with their support group.
Support groups
A support group is a fellowship of individuals who have completed a rehab treatment to surpass their substance use disorder. The meetings are intended to sustain every person’s recovery and help out those who have just recovered. You can find support groups in your local area online. The most common program that they follow is the 12-step program.
Do I Need To Undergo Benzodiazepine Rehab?
Realizing that you’re out of control from using benzos can be challenging. It’ll be hard for you to know since you will find ways to rationalize your behavior. With that said, consulting a doctor is your best choice. Seek medical help as early as today.
