Benzo addiction treatment Indiana

The effects of benzodiazepines vary depending on the specific prescription medication and how it is taken. Some benzos, such as triazolam, act quickly and have a shorter duration, while others, like diazepam, can remain in the system for over 24 hours. Most benzodiazepines are intended for oral use, but those who misuse them may crush and snort the tablets to achieve faster effects.

Because of their potential for dependence, benzodiazepines are usually prescribed for short-term use. Long-term use can lead to tolerance, meaning higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects, which increases the risk of addiction. Withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures, can occur if benzodiazepine use is suddenly stopped, making it important for individuals to seek medical supervision when discontinuing these medications.

The first step is to determine if you have a substance use disorder. There are assessments based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) that ask about your drug use, amount, and how long you’ve been using. It will also ask how this substance use is impacting your life. It’s essential to answer these questions honestly to get the care you need.

The next step is determining what treatment level is best for your needs. Your doctor will use a tool like the ASAM Criteria to determine if you should start with an inpatient or residential program or whether an intensive outpatient program would be more appropriate. Your doctor will also determine whether you need to attend a detox program before you start rehab.

Treating benzodiazepine addiction often starts with a benzo detox program because of the withdrawal symptoms that result from stopping the use of benzos. Generally, a benzodiazepine detox program will be an inpatient experience that lasts up to 10 days. You’ll be medically monitored and have 24/7 support available during the withdrawal process.

During medical detoxification, medication assisted treatment (MAT) may be used to help manage withdrawal symptoms. This approach involves FDA-approved prescription drug medications that can ease discomfort from withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of severe complications. The detox program will also include nutritious meals and counseling sessions to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Residential rehab, also known as inpatient addiction treatment, allows you to have around-the-clock support in a very structured program. You’ll have individual and group therapy as well as recreational activities, healthy meals, and peer support from others in the program with you.

The residential environment at a drug rehab allows you to focus fully on your recovery from drugs without any distractions from daily life and gives you built-in support groups for the changes you’re making. You’ll create new mindsets and habits that will allow you to make the positive changes needed to create a life full of hope and possibility.

After you finish residential treatment, you can step down to an outpatient treatment program. This can also be a starting point for less severe addiction disorders. Outpatient programs give you several hours a week of treatment and support. Outside of treatment, you live at home or in a sober living facility.

The number of treatment hours per week is determined by how intense the program is. A partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers full-day care and can be as intensive as a residential program, except that you go home at night. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) generally offers nine hours of treatment per week spread over three days.

General outpatient care is often part of an aftercare program, which offers additional support to help you maintain long-term recovery after treatment.

Even after you finish your full treatment program, it’s important to have ongoing support to maintain your sobriety over the course of your lifetime. Aftercare programs can help you get the support you need.

For example, peer support can match you with someone who has been through what you’re going through. They can support you outside of treatment and connect you to peer support groups, social services, and community resources that can help you with everything from housing to employment.

Ongoing counseling is also an important part of aftercare for most people, especially if there is a mental health disorder that co-occurs with the addiction disorder.

A significant part of overcoming addiction is getting evidence-based counseling during residential and outpatient treatment programs. Most programs include individual and group therapy sessions as well as family counseling. The counseling sessions typically use evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and others. Group therapy may also include life skills education and discussions of healthy coping mechanisms. Family therapy sessions can help rebuild relationships damaged by benzo addiction. Family members can be an important part of a sober support system that helps you stay strong if you struggle in the future.