Answer Addiction

Tag: benzos

  • Generic Xanax Recalled Due To "Foreign Substance"

    Generic Xanax Recalled Due To "Foreign Substance"

    The FDA and Mylan have released instructions for wholesalers, retailers and consumers who believe they may have the lot in question.

    The makers of the generic version of Xanax have issued a voluntary nationwide recall of a single lot of the drug due to the possible presence of a “foreign substance.”

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published an announcement from Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which did not specify the nature of the foreign substance, and emphasized that while exposure to it is “expected to be rare,” the company also did not want to rule out “the remote risk of infection.”

    The FDA and Mylan also released instructions for wholesalers, retailers and consumers who believe they may have the lot in question.

    Batch Information

    The lot is a single batch of 0.5 mg alprazolam, the generic form of Xanax, which is packaged in a 500-count bottle. The batch was distributed in the United States between July and August of 2019, and has the following identification:

    Alprazolam Tablets, USP C-IV 0.5 mg

    Lot Number: 8082708

    National Drug Code (NDC): 0378-4003-05

    Expiration Date: September 2020

    Yahoo Lifestyle attempted to ask Mylan what the foreign substance in question was, and was referred by a company spokesperson to the press statement issued by the FDA. No recall has been issued for Xanax or other batches of alprazolam.

    Contact Your Doctor If You Experience Issues Related To The Drug

    Mylan also noted that while no reports of “adverse effects” due to the batch have been issued, it also stated that consumers who experienced any problems related to the drug should contact their physician or healthcare provider. They can also report any problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by calling 1-800-332-1088 or submitting a form online.

    Distributors and customers have been informed by letter about the recall and according to the FDA, will arrange for pickup of all recalled products. Wholesalers and retailers were advised to examine their inventory for the batch in question and quarantine any that they might find; if a batch was distributed to retail level customers, they are advised to contact the regulated substance disposal company Stericycle at 1-888-843-0255.

    Consumers should also contact Stericycle at the aforementioned number in order to receive a documentation package to return the medication.

    Yahoo Lifestyle noted that the recall comes on the heel of drug maker Sanofi issuing a “precautionary” and “voluntary” recall of the heartburn medication Zantac in the United States and Canada. The FDA announced in September 2019 that low levels of a cancer-causing chemical were found in the product.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Anti-Anxiety Drugs Prescribed More Often In Poorer Areas

    Anti-Anxiety Drugs Prescribed More Often In Poorer Areas

    A UK study analyzed public prescribing data on the anti-anxiety and insomnia drugs. 

    A new study has found that benzodiazepines and z-drugs (non-benzodiazepine drugs with similar effects) are more often prescribed in poorer areas of the UK, the New Scientist reports.

    The study analyzed public prescribing data from the National Health Service. Saran Shantikumar, a researcher at the University of Warwick, was curious if prescribing behavior toward “benzos” would reflect prescribing behavior toward opioid medication, which also had previously been found to be more prevalent in “deprived areas.”

    They found that there was a correlation between prescriptions for benzos and z-drugs and deprived areas (defined by deprivation of income, employment, education, health, housing and more). The study only analyzed public prescribing data, leaving private prescription data unaccounted for.

    Lack Of Treatment Options

    Shantikumar suggested that the prescribing trend may be the result of a lack of substance use disorder treatment options in these areas for people who become dependent on the drugs, which are prescribed for managing anxiety and sleep problems.

    “I feel that the health service as a whole probably has insufficient capacity to deal with people with addictions,” said Shantikumar. “It may be that people in more deprived areas simply don’t have access to drug-dependency services.”

    The Hidden Epidemic

    It’s important to note that benzodiazepines are not harmless and should be approached with caution. The popular drugs are at the center of a “hidden epidemic akin to the opioid crisis,” as NBC News reported last year.

    It’s easy to develop a tolerance to benzos, leading patients to rely on increasingly higher doses. Withdrawal is painful and long-term use can cause neurological damage, according to Dr. Anna Lembke, chief of addiction medicine at Stanford University Medical Center.

    The simultaneous use or abuse of benzos and opioids is also a concern, as Dr. Indra Cidambi, founder and medical director of the Center for Network Therapy in New Jersey, noted in a 2016 article in The Fix.

    People who use both of these drugs are at “heightened risk of respiratory depression,” i.e. overdose, and face an even more difficult withdrawal.

    Cidambi recommended that doctors and patients who require both opioids and benzodiazepine medication work together to establish a short-term treatment plan with a clear end in mind.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How to Find Treatment for Oxazepam Addiction

    How to Find Treatment for Oxazepam Addiction

    Use this handy information guide to find out everything about Oxazepam and Oxazepam addiction.

    1. What is Oxazepam?
    2. What are the medical uses of Oxazepam?
    3. What are the Slang Names for Oxazepam?
    4. What is an addiction?
    5. Problems with Addiction
    6. What are the Oxazepam Addiction Symptoms?
    7. What are the Oxazepam Withdrawal Symptoms?
    8. Is Drug Rehab for Oxazepam a Solution?
    9. Types of Rehabs for Oxazepam
    10. Inpatient Rehab Program
    11. Outpatient Rehab Program
    12. Residential Rehab Program
    13. Rehab Payment

    What is Oxazepam?

    Oxazepam is one of the Benzodiazepines used for mild to intermediate action. Oxazepam belongs to a class of organic compounds called 1, 4-benzodiazepines. They are compounds that contain benzene ring fused to a 1,4-azepine. 

    It is a metabolite of prazepam, diazepam, and temazepam, and has moderate anxiolytic, amnesic, anticonvulsant, sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties; compared to the other benzodiazepines. 

    It comes in tablet and capsule form. Oxazepam is orally administered and gets absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract at a slower rate, unlike the other Benzodiazepines such as diazepam or flurazepam. It delivers its effects in 2-4 hours and these last for around 3 hours.

    It relieves anxiety by activating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in the brain. Patients are supposed to take Oxazepam in three intervals per day or one or two tablets in a day. In case the patient is administering the drug to have a better sleep, it’s advisable to take the medication only at bedtime. 
     

    What are the medical uses of Oxazepam?

    It helps in the treatment of short-term anxiety associated with depression, acute substance withdrawal, and Oxazepam addiction. It also relieves tension, agitation, and irritability in older patients. Alcohol withdrawal associated with acute tremulousness and inebriation is responsive to Oxazepam. Long term use of Oxazepam, for around four months, is not yet analyzed as being helpful. One should consult a physician before administration.

    Oxazepam does not cause a patient to be “high,” it has other effects like slurred speech, disorientation, sleepiness, and lack of coordination. When a patient uses Oxazepam for a prolonged period, it leads to an increase in side effects like change in appetite.

    What are the Slang Names for Oxazepam?

    People who obtain Oxazepam and other addictive medicines without a prescription use slang names. These names help in making a transaction without being catching attention from the authorities. The slang names used for Oxazepam include:

    1. Benzos
    2. Dippers
    3. Blues/ Heavenly Blues
    4. BZDs
    5. Downers
    6. Goofballs
    7. Nerve Pills
    8. Tranks
    9. Zannies
    10.  Footballs

    If you find a loved one who exhibits addictive symptoms and uses any of these names in their calls or texts, you must take proper measures to identify if this person suffers from Oxazepam addiction and seek help. 

    What is an addiction?

    Oxazepam is in the class of Benzodiazepine, which is a drug class that is highly addictive when used for a prolonged time. Even though it works slowly, it increases the risk of abuse and addiction, and an overdose is fatal.

    Sometimes, it’s difficult to know the signs of addiction, and this is because Oxazepam is considered a safe and mild drug compared to other active drugs like Klonopin. A patient is more likely to misuse Oxazepam and not know its escalation to abuse and possible Oxazepam addiction.

    Problems with Addiction

    When a patient has Oxazepam addiction, they always want to obtain a prescription. The addict still has this tendency of going from one doctor to another seeking more of the drug than the prescribed dosage. It’s known as “doctor-shopping,” and the patient lies to get more dosage.

    It turns into an addiction when the patient craves for more, struggling to control the urge to have Oxazepam and continues to use despite the adverse effects. Oxazepam addiction makes the patient skip work or school, opt to take the drug compared to their favorite activities, and causes difficulties in their relationships with people and healthy social life. 

    Oxazepam has sedating effects, and this can cause accidents and injuries to the user. When used with alcohol, it increases sedation effects. Using alcohol alongside Oxazepam addiction increases life-threatening side effects like lightheadedness, unusual dizziness, difficulty breathing, and extreme sleepiness. A chance of an overdose is higher when mixed with opioids, which can be fatal.

    What are the Oxazepam Addiction Symptoms?

    Oxazepam addiction symptoms are gradually more noticeable and become more evident with continued use of the drug. When noticed in a family member or friend, it’s advisable to seek help and treatment immediately. These symptoms include:

    • Use of Oxazepam other than the doctor’s prescription that a patient has.
    • Using Oxazepam without a prescription.
    • Having cravings and withdrawal when not using the drug.
    • Using Oxazepam for different uses other than what it was prescribed for.
    • Tolerance increases on Oxazepam effects.
    • Lying about the use of Oxazepam.
    • Not able to stop the use of Oxazepam even when the patient tries.
    • Not ready to function normally even when not using Oxazepam.
    • Financial issues due to usage and low performance in school and at work.

    What are the Oxazepam Withdrawal Symptoms?

    With Oxazepam addiction, when the patient immediately stops taking the drug, there are possibilities of experiencing withdrawal. It produces very uncomfortable symptoms, which take effect in 1-2 days when the patient stops the last dose, and the symptoms can last for 2-4 weeks.

    The symptoms include:

    • Insomnia
    • Anxiety
    • Muscle aches and pains
    • Restlessness
    • Agitation and irritability
    • Poor Concentration
    • Loss of Memory

    Is Drug Rehab for Oxazepam a good Solution?

    Rehabs are the best option for patients suffering from Oxazepam addiction. Detox programs that are medically supervised take place in hospitals and rehab centers. Medical staff administers medications to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. Such a solution is safe, comfortable, and ensures support for the Oxazepam addict and prepares them for treatment.

    Patients suffering from Oxazepam addiction are recommended to sign up for a detox program that is medically supervised. This is because the withdrawal symptoms are severe, and a detox program helps a great deal in escaping them. 

    The program is crucial for recovery, but not without treatment. One of the popular treatment plans is behavioral therapy. It changes the patients’ way of thinking and their attitude towards drugs- for instance, cognitive behavioral therapy, commonly known as (CBT), helps the patient with coping skills. The skills help to deal with stressful situations that mostly lead to the use of drugs. Behavioral therapy is still the best in helping with Oxazepam addiction.

    Types of Rehabs for Oxazepam

    There are several rehab programs, and there are several factors to consider before settling on one. These factors include financial capability, facilities offered, the support services, the cost, amenities, visitation policies, rules and restrictions, distance from home, the reviews, and staff to patient ratio.

    Some basic rehab programs like Outpatient program, Inpatient program, and Residential program exist in almost all rehabs. However, the choice depends on the level of Oxazepam addiction, the doctor’s recommendation, and each of their unique features and benefits. The rehab program starts after the detoxification stage. It involves several therapies and treatments to help stop Oxazepam addiction, where the patient learns about coping skills.

    Inpatient Rehab Program

    The treatment for Oxazepam addiction is limited, and an inpatient rehab program is always recommended because it provides all the resources needed to overcome Oxazepam addiction and live a better life. The patient lives away from home to receive 24-hour medical care, and supervision is required.

    The medical professionals available can address multiple addiction cases and other mental health issues. This mostly lasts for 30 to 90 days. The professionals also prepare the addict to manage their life after rehab, like the importance of sobriety maintenance programs, how to overcome triggers, and what to do when there is a relapse. 

    Outpatient Rehab Program

    This rehab program involves going to the treatment facility during the day and going back home in the evening, and mostly takes place in a hospital setting. The patient must visit the treatment facility for physical and mental check-ups; doctors will sometimes administer medications on-site to reduce the withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, and increased heart rate.

    It’s less restrictive than the inpatient program; it requires around 10 to 12 hours a week of visitation to a local hospital-like facility. It involves education on drug abuse, group and individual counseling, and teaches the addicts on how to cope with cravings for the drug.

    This is a good option for patients with mild Oxazepam addiction. It’s also considered a long-term treatment option that lasts for 3 to 6 months or over one year. Outpatient detoxification is a more effective treatment plan if your everyday life is not disrupted so much. 

    Residential Rehab Program

    It’s a treatment program offered to the patient of Oxazepam addiction in a residential setting; this is over a treatment program that mostly lasts for less than 30 days or more than 30 days. The length of stay depends on the addiction type, the frequency of using the drug, co-occurring addictions, or medical conditions.

    In the program, it’s also advisable first to start with the detoxification program to clear the harmful toxins from the body. After the detox process, there are several treatment forms used in the residential setting. This involves counseling, group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-step program participation, educational lectures, and training in preventing relapse. Choosing the residential program is voluntary, but sometimes, it can come as an order from the court.

    Rehab Payment

    Rehab treatment can be costly, and this is why most people consider not seeking help. However, it’s known that the benefits of the program outweigh the cost involved. An excellent facility provides the best chance to live a better and healthy life again after recovering from Oxazepam addiction. The price can be considered to be on the lower- costing $350 to $750, and on the upper from $1500 to $3000. There are also other options for treatment costs.

    Rehab Insurance

    Several insurance companies extend funding for patients suffering from Oxazepam and other addictions. Different insurance policies have different options. Before a patient seeks treatment, it’s advisable to find out about such possibilities. 

    An insurance program requires you to:

    • Complete outpatient program first before joining the inpatient program.
    • In the case of outpatient care, co-payment needs to be made first.
    • The coverage is generally for several visits per annum.
    • A patient is supposed not to exceed the amount set aside for treatment.

    Private Funding

    For patients who can afford the treatment cost, it’s better to pay the full cost upfront. It can be done in advance, over the treatment program period, or per session. It’s best to go with the outpatient program since it’s considered more reasonable than the inpatient program.

    Rehab Loan

    A patient can get a loan from the bank to help cover the cost of treatment. It’s best to first seek the loan before checking into a facility. After everything is sorted, the patient can arrange for the treatment facility. Most private residential programs are always in a position to negotiate the cost price.

    Selling personal properties

    It involves the sale of properties like cars, jewelry, clothes, antiques, and collectibles to help raise funds for the treatment plan. Art collections, music collections, sports equipment like bicycles, skis, and technological equipment like computers, smartphones, tablets can also be sold. 

    Cash Donations

    This can be done by getting help from friends and family members. You can look for online personal funding platforms like GoFundMe.com. This can actually be an excellent way to raise funds for the rehab treatment plan. 

    Getting Government Grants

    There’s also an option of federal funding and grants. This is dependent on where the addiction victim lives and their age. A grant is a better option since it’s not considered as a loan, and the patient is not supposed to pay before the outcome of the program is evident. However, it’s essential to use the funds for the sole purpose of treatment, and sometimes, an audit-proof is conducted to verify that.

    You can follow this link to find more about treatment plans and centers.

    https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/get-help/get-help-problematic-substance-use.html

    For any patient with Oxazepam addiction, a rehab treatment program should be started at an early stage to avoid the problem of relapse or overdose. Friends and family members should be on the lookout for the stated symptoms and seek help. Even though the cost is high, the patient should consider the benefits that can help them lead a normal and healthy life.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Finding the Best Rehab for Onfi Addiction

    Finding the Best Rehab for Onfi Addiction

    In search of a luxury rehab for Onfi addiction? Read our helpful guide.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Onfi and What is it Used For?
    2. Other Names for Onfi
    3. How Onfi Addiction Happens
    4. Onfi Symptoms, Side Effects, and Risks
    5. Onfi Overdose Signs
    6.Onfi Addiction Symptoms and Signs
    7. How Onfi Addiction is Treated
    8. How Long Does Onfi Stay in Your System?
    9. Managing Onfi Withdrawal Symptoms Safely
    10. What to Look for in an Onfi Rehab and Treatment Program
    11. Choosing Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment
    12. Onfi Rehab Should Include Aftercare
    13. Reaching out for Onfi Addiction Help

    Onfi addiction is a very serious behavioral health issue. This benzodiazepine and sedative, which is used to treat seizure disorders, is susceptible to abuse and can cause addiction, especially when misused. Onfi addiction symptoms include use of the drug that has become excessive or out of control, as well as physical side effects like developing a tolerance and going through withdrawal when not using.

    If you have developed an addiction to Onfi, or you are trying to help a loved one who has, you need to carefully consider rehabilitation options. Not all Onfi addiction treatment plans are the same or best for everyone. Know what to look for in the best rehabs, what your options are, and then make a considered choice that will help lead to recovery.

    What is Onfi and What is it Used For?

    Onfi is the generic drug clobazam, a prescription medication used to manage seizures in people with the disease known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Onfi belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These are sedatives and central nervous system depressants. Clobazam helps prevent seizures by slowing down or lowering electrical activity in the brain. Doctors may use their own discretion to prescribe Onfi for other uses.

    As a central nervous system depressant, Onfi produces relaxation and calm. Other drugs in the same class are used to manage anxiety. Other effects of Onfi are lowered heart rate, slower breathing, and sleepiness or drowsiness.

    Other Names for Onfi

    Onfi is a brand name for clobazam, which is a generic drug. Another brand name that clobazam is sold under is Sympazan. When bought, sold, and used illicitly, Onfi may go by any number of street names for benzodiazepines:

    • Bars
    • Benzos
    • Chill pills
    • Downers
    • Footballs
    • Hulk
    • Ladders
    • Nerve pills
    • Planks
    • School bus
    • Sleeping pills
    • Totem poles
    • Tranks

    How Onfi Addiction Happens

    Onfi is listed as a schedule IV controlled substance. The Drug Enforcement Administration placed Onfi in this category because it is susceptible to abuse and may become habit forming. In other words, Onfi abuse, and even just regular, guided use, can lead to an addiction.

    You may develop on Onfi dependence with normal, recommended use of the drug. Your body and brain adjust to it, and you will find that you don’t feel well without it in your system. This leads you to use again, and the cycle continues.

    Addiction can also develop when you misuse Onfi. Any kind of Onfi abuse will significantly increase the risk of addiction and dependence, as compared to using it as directed by your doctor. Misuse includes using Onfi without having a prescription for it and using it in any way that is different from what your doctor has instructed if you do have a prescription: taking it for longer than you are supposed to, taking larger doses, and using it more frequently.

    Onfi Symptoms, Side Effects, and Risks

    One of the negative consequences of misusing Onfi is the fact that doing so can increase your risk of experiencing side effects and adverse events. You may also experience side effects more intensely or those that are more severe and serious. The most common Onfi side effects are:

    • Drowsiness
    • Dizziness
    • Drooling
    • Poor coordination
    • Restlessness
    • Aggression
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Tremors
    • Fever

    There are also some more serious Onfi effects to consider. They include difficulty urinating or pain when urinating, a cough and difficulty breathing, a skin rash or mouth sores, and mood swings that may include depression, irritability, and apathy.

    One rare but very serious side effect of Onfi is suicidal thoughts. Approximately one in 500 people who used clobazam during clinical trials became suicidal. This side effect set in within a week of beginning the medication. Although this danger is not common, it can be fatal, and if you are abusing Onfi you increase the risk that you may have these feelings and troubling mood swings.

    Of course, because Onfi is a benzodiazepine that his habit-forming, addiction is a major risk of misuse. You may think that you have your use of Onfi under control, but using it in a way that is not prescribed or recommended can always lead to use that becomes out of control, and ultimately dependence.

    Onfi Overdose Signs

    Misusing and becoming addicted to Onfi puts you at serious risk of having an overdose. An overdose occurs when you take toxic levels of a drug. There is no set amount of clobazam that will necessarily trigger an overdose. The risk varies depending on how long you have been using the drug, the severity of your addiction, how much you take, and other individual health factors.

    The risk of overdose is definitely increased by taking Onfi with certain other substances. Alcohol, sedatives, opioids, and other benzodiazepines all produce similar effects to Onfi. Mixing these increases the risk and severity of side effects but also of overdose. Drugs like these, which act like depressants, can suppress brain activity to the extent that you stop breathing.

    An Onfi overdose can easily be fatal, and it should be treated as a medical emergency. Make sure you know the overdose signs so you can get help for you or someone else if necessary:

    • Excessive drowsiness and sleepiness
    • Unresponsiveness
    • Confusion
    • Low energy
    • Difficulty controlling movements and poor coordination
    • Blurred vision
    • Shallow breathing
    • Reduced urge to breathe
    • Fainting

    Onfi Addiction Symptoms and Signs

    There are many risks associated with misusing Onfi, and they include becoming addicted. Misuse does not necessarily mean you are addicted, but you may become dependent on this drug more quickly than you realize. When your use of it has gotten out of control, you may need help. The criteria used to diagnose a substance use disorder can help you understand if your behaviors, or those of someone you’re worried about, are problematic:

    • You crave Onfi at times when you are not using it.
    • You try to cut back or stop using clobazam but keep failing at it.
    • More than once you have used more than you planned.
    • A significant amount of your time is spent getting high or trying to get more Onfi.
    • This has forced you to give up some other activities you no longer have time for.
    • You also have too little time to meet your responsibilities, and they are starting to slide.
    • Your relationships are in trouble because of drug use.
    • You have developed some physical or mental health problems related to Onfi but continue to use it.
    • You have used Onfi in situations that put you at risk, such as when driving or operating equipment that could lead to an accident.
    • You have developed a tolerance and need to use more and more to get high.
    • You go through Onfi withdrawal symptoms when not using.

    A mental or behavioral health specialist could diagnose you as having a mild substance use disorder with just two or three of these criteria. Even if you aren’t sure you would be diagnosed or if you think you wouldn’t, your concern about these behaviors is valid. Don’t hesitate to reach out or call for help if you can’t stop using Onfi on your own.

    How Onfi Addiction is Treated

    Rehab facilities plan treatment programs for Onfi addiction around therapy. There is no medication approved to treat benzodiazepine dependence, but other strategies are effective. While different facilities may offer unique services and a different range of therapy options, most revolve around behavioral therapies. Some of the types used to manage this addiction and to support recovery are:

    • Cognitive behavioral therapy. Also known as CBT, this is an action-oriented therapy. CBT helps you change your negative thought and behavior patterns, set and work toward goals, plan for and practice encountering triggers, and minimize your risk of relapse.
    • Motivational interviewing. This style of therapy is focused on helping you find internal motivation for stopping drug use and adopting more positive, healthy behaviors.
    • Contingency management therapy. Specifically designed for treating addiction, this kind of therapy makes use of positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors, namely avoiding drug use. Essentially, you get rewards for abstaining.
    • Somatic experiencing therapy. Some patients being treated for addiction have traumatic experiences from their pasts that have shaped their behaviors. Trauma-focused therapies can help in the healing process. Somatic experiencing therapy uses the physical sensations of your body to process trauma.
    • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This kind of therapy, known as EMDR, is also for processing traumatic experiences. It uses guided eye and body movements to reframe past trauma.
    • Family and relationship therapy and psychoeducation. Having a positive and informed support system is important for recovery. Therapy with family or partners can help them understand how to help you. Psychoeducation also includes learning more about drug addiction.
    • Group therapy and support. Many rehab facilities and treatment programs include some form of social support. You may engage in therapy in a group with other people struggling with Onfi and other drug use. Or you may attend support group meetings, which are less structured and not necessarily guided by a therapist.

    How Long Does Onfi Stay in Your System?

    Onfi and other benzodiazepines will last in the body for different lengths of time, depending on several factors. These include the amount you used. The greater your last dose, the longer it will take to clear your system. The time it takes to get the drug out of your body is known as detox, and it is the important first step to recovery from addiction.

    The Onfi withdrawal effects that you can expect during detox may be uncomfortable and painful, but they can also be dangerous. A condition known as benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome is dangerous and can even be fatal. You should never attempt to detox alone, and you should always do it with medical supervision. Stopping use of Onfi suddenly can bring about this syndrome and put you in serious risk of becoming ill or even dying.

    The most dangerous Onfi withdrawal side effects are psychosis and seizures. These warrant immediate medical attention. The uncomfortable but less serious withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, tremors, insomnia, muscle spasms, weight loss, mood swings, sweating, vision problems, changes in perceptions, and nausea and vomiting.

    Managing Onfi Withdrawal Symptoms Safely

    Onfi detox is a necessary first step to recovery, and something you must go through in order to be ready for treatment, but it is difficult and dangerous. In addition to the particular risks of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, detox puts you at risk of relapsing. A relapse during this vulnerable time can cause you to use too much, mix substances, and potentially overdose.

    The only safe way to detox from clobazam is to do it with some kind of professional supervision. Many detox programs gradually reduce the dose of a benzodiazepine during withdrawal. This makes the entire process much safer and reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms. There are no medications or specific treatments that will make withdrawal faster or easier.

    Not all rehab facilities offer detox services, but they do generally require that you go through detox before starting a treatment program. You need supervision to do this safely, so instead of attempting to go it alone, find a service that will provide medically-directed and guided detox. A medical caregiver can keep you safe, administer treatment if something goes wrong, and generally help you feel more comfortable through the entire process.

    What to Look for in an Onfi Rehab and Treatment Program

    Onfi treatment for addiction is essential for recovery. Getting over an addiction is extremely difficult to do without professional support. You need the expertise, guidance, and push that addiction professionals can provide to prevent relapsing and to give you the tools to stay sober for the long-term. This means you need rehab and an effective treatment program. There are several factors you should consider when choosing that program.

    One of these is the staff. A good treatment program will include experts with experience working in addiction and recovery. They should be caring and compassionate and have the best interests first in mind in the work they do. A good rehab facility will be staffed by a variety of experts who can provide a range of services, from therapy and medical care to nutrition, alternative therapies, and recreation. Never choose a residential facility that does not have some kind of medical staff, such as nurses on the floor around the clock. Medical supervision is important.

    Another important factor to consider when choosing treatment and rehab is a thorough intake process. When you first enter rehab you should be given a complete evaluation that includes screening for mental illnesses. The most effective treatment for a drug addiction addresses all of your needs, and mental health conditions often co-occur with Onfi and other substance use disorders.

    The initial evaluation should be thorough and should inform an individualized treatment plan. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all drug addiction treatment. The best rehabs create a new, unique plan for each individual patient. It should be informed by your health issues, your drug addiction, your mental health, and your own preferences. Be sure that the treatment program you choose will take your input seriously and let you make decisions about your own care. Being a part of treatment will make it more effective in the long-term.

    In order to provide an individualized treatment plan, a treatment program or facility must have a wide variety of services. Avoid any rehab that has just one or two types of therapy or limited support services. You need to be able to try the different types of treatment to find what works best for your needs. For instance, you may not respond well to motivational interviewing or you may benefit from trauma-focused therapy. There should also be a range of support services, like diet and nutrition planning, exercise, and recreation.

    Choosing Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

    Knowing what to look for in the best Onfi rehab, you now need to choose between an outpatient and inpatient program. The benefits of residential care include 24-hour supervision, a safe, temptation-free environment, a wider range of services and therapy types, and a bigger staff. Residential care also offers you the opportunity to focus on recovery without the distractions of home and provides a social support system and interactions with other residents.

    On the other hand, outpatient treatment can be helpful to your Onfi recovery if you feel more comfortable at home or with family. This may make you more receptive to treatment. It can also allow you to keep up with responsibilities, like family and work. If you feel as if you need the safety of a structured environment, though, and that you are at high risk for a relapse, seriously consider going to a residential rehab instead.

    You can find some middle ground with an intensive outpatient program. This is a treatment plan that allows you to stay home but to get more intense care than you would with just a couple of therapy sessions per week. In this kind of program you may have sessions every day, and you are likely to benefit from a greater variety of services and therapy types as well.

    Onfi Rehab Should Include Aftercare

    The best rehab facilities will have some type of aftercare services or planning. If you go to a residential rehab you will need to transition back home after receiving treatment. This can be a tough time, when many people succumb to cravings and relapse. With aftercare, which may be therapy, support groups, or other strategies, you can minimize the risk of a relapse and have a safer, better transition.

    Even if your particular rehab does not include aftercare, it should help you plan for your next steps. The staff should, at a minimum, be able to direct you to a recommended outpatient therapist or drug counselor. They can help you make a concrete plan for what you will do out of rehab, your strategies for avoiding a relapse, and for what to do if a relapse does occur.

    Aftercare is not typically necessary with outpatient treatment. You can always continue with outpatient therapy if you feel it is important. You can cut back on your sessions but still go regularly as you transition into recovery. Keeping up with therapy is helpful for long-term success, so even if you feel better and strong, stick with it.

    Reaching out for Onfi Addiction Help

    Addiction to Onfi is a very difficult problem to overcome. The importance of reaching out for help and calling rehab and treatment programs cannot be overstated. Especially if you have tried quitting and keep failing at it, get real, professional help. You may feel a little lost at this time and unsure of where to turn. Having a loved one to support you is a great help. Let a family member or friend know what you are going through and allow that person to help you figure out what to do next.

    You can also make an appointment with a trusted doctor. Your doctor cannot provide the addiction treatment you need, but he or she can point you in the right direction for getting care and offer good advice. Regardless of who you reach out to first, the important thing is that you do it. Ask for help, confide in someone, and seek the rehab and treatment that will get you sober and in recovery. Onfi addiction treatment will be a slow and sometimes frustrating process, but it can lead to successful and lasting recovery if you put in the time and effort.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Luxury Rehab Guide for Xanax Addiction

    Luxury Rehab Guide for Xanax Addiction

    Use this guide to learn how to recognize a Xanax addiction and what to consider when looking for a rehab.

    Table of Contents

    1. What is Xanax and How is it Used?
    2. Possible Symptoms of Xanax/Alprazolam Use
    3. Xanax Dependence
    4. Xanax Addiction
    5. Potential Symptoms of Xanax Abuse/Addiction
    6. The First Phase of Addiction Recovery
    7. Continuation in an Addiction Treatment Program
    8. Inpatient Options Vs. Outpatient Options
    9. Evidence-Based Options for Treatment and Recovery
    10. Choosing Your Destination for Addiction Rehab

    If you’re addicted to the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, help from knowledgeable recovery specialists should be number one on your list of immediate goals. However, like many people, you may find it difficult to sort through all of your rehab options and make good decisions about where to seek addiction treatment. This is a critical stage, since appropriate care lays the foundation for your ultimate success in rehabilitation.

    Fortunately, there are widely accepted standards for the effective treatment of Xanax-related problems. Any program you choose should meet those rehab standards as a bare minimum for consideration. However, to make the most of your recovery efforts, it’s best to select a program that exceeds the norm and provides a higher level of care.

    To choose a superior Xanax rehabilitation option, you must know how your substance abuse affects your health. You must also gain an understanding of the most up-to-date forms of addiction treatment. In addition, you must know how to recognize programs that truly represent the cutting edge of what’s available for successful rehab.

    What is Xanax and How is it Used?

    Xanax is a well-known, brand-name prescription drug that contains the benzodiazepine

    alprazolam as its active ingredient. Like all benzodiazepines, it falls into a larger group of medications classified as tranquilizers, sedative-hypnotics or anxiolytics (anti-anxiety treatments). Tranquilizers, sedatives and anxiolytics produce their effects by slowing down the normal pace of communication inside your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

    This slowdown is triggered because Xanax and other benzodiazepines increase your brain’s supply of a chemical known as GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid. Inside your nervous system, this chemical serves as a kind of braking mechanism to prevent overactivity. When GABA levels rise, the rate of nerve signaling inside your brain and spinal cord drops off. The end result is an increased sense of relaxation, calm or sedation (a medical term for reduced agitation or irritability).

    From the standpoint of chemical structure, all benzodiazepines look fairly similar. However, even minor details in their structure can affect how they act inside your body. One of the big differences is the speed with which specific types of these medications reach your bloodstream after you take them. Various benzodiazepines also differ in the time it takes to produce a drug effect inside your brain. In addition, these medications differ in how long it takes your body to break them down and get rid of them.

    Finally, individual benzodiazepines are used for different medical purposes. Doctors use some of these medications to treat conditions known as anxiety disorders. Other benzodiazepines are used to treat the symptoms of seizure disorders. Patients may also receive a prescription drug of this type as a treatment for severe insomnia or alcohol withdrawal.

    Like all alprazolam-based products, Xanax is prescribed for the treatment of various kinds of anxiety disorders. It’s especially indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, an anxiety-based illness marked by recurring panic attacks. You may also receive the medication as a treatment for premenstrual syndrome or clinical depression.Doctors may prescribe Xanax in the form of a standard tablet or an extended-release tablet. Both the standard and extended-relief formulas come in a range of dosage strengths.

    Xanax/alprazolam is classified as a fast-to intermediate-acting benzodiazepine. This means that it has an effect on your system relatively soon once consumed. The medication is also eliminated from your system faster than longer-acting tranquilizers and sedatives.

    Besides Xanax, there is no other brand-name medication in the U.S. with alprazolam as an active ingredient. However, generic alprazolam products are available. When sold, obtained or used illegally, Xanax and alprazolam may go by street names that include:

    • Xannies (also Zannies)
    • Bars
    • Z-bars
    • Xanbars (or Zanbars)
    • Handlebars
    • Blue Footballs
    • Totem Poles

    Xanax is one of the world’s most widely prescribed medications. Annual prescriptions in the U.S. alone consistently surpass 20 million. No other benzodiazepine approaches this level of use.

    Possible Symptoms of Xanax/Alprazolam Use

    Use of Xanax or other alprazolam products can lead to the onset of a variety of side effects. The most common symptoms include:

    • Nausea
    • Dizziness or lightheadedness
    • Fatigue
    • Painful joints
    • Unexplained changes in your weight
    • Constipation
    • Altered sexual performance or sex drive
    • Concentration problems
    • An irritable mental state
    • Headaches
    • Unusual talkativeness
    • Urination problems
    • Increased or decreased saliva output
    • Unexplained alterations in your normal appetite

    These symptoms only warrant medical attention if they become intense or persist instead of fading away.

    Other possible symptoms of Xanax use are always viewed as medically serious. Potential problems here include:

    • Loss of your normal ability to balance or coordinate your movements
    • Convulsions or seizures
    • Jaundice
    • A confused mental state
    • Unexplained alterations of your normal mood or behavior
    • A depressed mental state
    • Disrupted memory
    • Severe rashes on your skin
    • Hallucinations
    • Shortness of breath
    • Thoughts of self-harm
    • Active suicidal behavior

    Immediate attention is needed to address these symptoms.

    Xanax/alprazolam does not carry the same elevated overdose risks as longer-acting benzodiazepines, which can accumulate in your system over time. However, overdoses are still possible. Symptoms you may experience during such an episode include a confused mental state, loss of normal body coordination, sleepiness and unconsciousness. A severe Xanax overdose can kill you.

    Your risks for overdosing on Xanax rise substantially if you combine alprazolam with alcohol or an opioid drug or medication. That’s true because these substances also slow down your central nervous system. If this activity decline passes a certain point, you can stop breathing or experience other life-threatening symptoms. Xanax and other benzodiazepines play a role in close to one out of every three opioid overdoses.

    Xanax Dependence

    Even when you take Xanax/alprazolam for a short-period of time at prescribed amounts, you can become dependent on the medication. From a medical perspective, dependence occurs when your brain has accepted a given street drug or prescription drug as a normal part of its chemical makeup. If you stop taking the medication at this point, you will likely experience symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Withdrawal can also be triggered if you make significant reductions in your established alprazolam intake. Your risks for dependence generally increase if you take more than 4 mg of this prescription drug for longer than three months.

    The most serious potential symptom of Xanax/alprazolam withdrawal is seizures. Chances of developing seizures are greatest in a two- to three-day period following complete stoppage of medication intake. Other symptoms you may experience include:

    • Increased sweating
    • Insomnia
    • Muscle tremors
    • Muscle cramps or twitches
    • Unusual light or sound sensitivity
    • Vomiting
    • Loose stools
    • An altered sense of smell
    • Concentration problems
    • Headaches
    • Blurry vision
    • A depressed mental state
    • Uncharacteristic acts of aggression
    • An irritable or nervous state of mind
    • Unexplained appetite loss and weight loss
    • Abnormal nerve sensations (e.g., burning, tingling, numbness or pain) in your feet or hands

    It’s important to know that you can develop Xanax or generic alprazolam dependence and experience withdrawal without being addicted. Dependence differs from addiction because it’s a medically manageable condition. If any problems arise, your doctor can make treatment adjustments that help keep you functional and stable. Proper care will also help you avoid developing any issues with Xanax withdrawal.

    Xanax Addiction

    Unlike dependence, Xanax addiction is marked by an uncontrolled and clearly damaging pattern of alprazolam use. Some people develop addictions to the drug even when taking it according to their doctor’s orders. However, many others abuse the medication in one way or another.

    If you don’t have a prescription for Xanax or its generic equivalent, any amount of intake qualifies as a form of medication abuse. If you have a current prescription, you can abuse alprazolam by taking it in excessive amounts at the same time and/or taking it too often.

    Xanax addiction is one of many possible forms of an illness known as sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder. Terms for the disorder also cover cases of life-disrupting alprazolam abuse that don’t involve clinical addiction.

    Potential Symptoms of Xanax Abuse/Addiction

    There are 11 possible symptoms of this form of Xanax abuse/addiction. To meet the minimal terms for making a diagnosis, at least two of these symptoms must affect you within the space of 365 days. Things that doctors and addiction specialists look for include:

    • Recurring consumption of excessive doses of Xanax/alprazolam
    • Recurring incidents of overly frequent Xanax/alprazolam intake
    • Lack of change in a pattern of prescription drug use that you know to be the source of damaging mental and/or physical alterations
    • Lack of change in a pattern of prescription drug use that you know to be the source of damaged personal or social relationships
    • A switch to Xanax abuse as a preferred form of leisure or recreation
    • The appearance of Xanax cravings while you’re engaged in other activities
    • ·Spending large chunks of your day obtaining or taking the prescription drug, or recovering from its effects
    • A habit of taking alprazolam in circumstances that put your health or the health of others at physical risk
    • Diminishing drug effects (i.e., tolerance) from any habitual dose of the prescription drug
    • A level of medication intake that leaves you unable or unwilling to fulfill important responsibilities
    • Appearance of the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal if you lower or halt your Xanax intake

    Your doctor may categorize your abuse/addiction symptoms as mild, moderate or severe. Mild cases involve no more than three of the diagnosable symptoms, while moderate cases involve four or five symptoms. The number of symptoms in severely affected people can range from six to 11.

    The First Phase of Addiction Recovery

    The first phase of successful Xanax rehab is detoxification (detox) in a medically supervised center or facility. No matter what kind of substance you abuse, detox is designed to allow you to decrease your intake in a safe manner. This gradual process has no set timeline. However, since alprazolam gets eliminated from your system at a fairly rapid pace, Xanax detox takes less time than it would with a longer-acting benzodiazepine.

    Prescription drugs are used to ease the detox-related effects of certain kinds of substance problems. However, this is not the case with alprazolam and other benzodiazepines. Instead, your addiction treatment and rehabilitation will center on the gradual reduction of your medication intake. This gradual approach to Xanax detox helps you steer clear of seizures and other possible withdrawal symptoms. While you go through detox, your doctor may also switch you from Xanax to Valium (diazepam), which is used because it has a relatively small drug effect inside your system.

    Complete drug abstinence is often the goal of treatment for problems related to addiction. This means that detox continues until the substance in question has completely left your body. However, doctors who treat alprazolam-related problems don’t always view abstinence as their goal. Instead, they may try to return their patients to a controlled, beneficial pattern of benzodiazepine use. This is true because Xanax or other benzodiazepines may still provide the best possible treatment for ongoing anxiety disorders or other health issues.

    Continuation in an Addiction Treatment Program

    The standard next step for all people who complete Xanax detox is treatment in a center for addiction rehabilitation. There are important reasons why follow-up rehab is the universal recommendation.

    First, when you enter a Xanax rehab program, you reduce the odds that you will relapse back into a pattern of excessive benzodiazepine consumption. That’s due, in part, to lack of availability of a substance quantity that supports abuse. The addiction treatment you receive in a Xanax rehabilitation center also plays a major role in reducing relapse risks. In addition, when you’re enrolled in an addiction program, you have a greater chance of staying away from situations and circumstances that make you more likely to abuse alprazolam.

    Inpatient Options Vs. Outpatient Options

    If you suffer from the worst possible effects of sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic use disorder, treatment may begin in a hospital setting. However, most people start their active rehab in an outpatient center or an inpatient center. Outpatient treatment does not require you to live at a facility while receiving care. Instead, you can stay at home while making periodic visits to the site of your program. This option is usually reserved for people in recovery from mild Xanax addiction.

    Inpatient programs take place at a residential rehab center. Throughout the timeline of this type of active addiction treatment, you will live onsite and participate on a daily, structured basis. A residential approach to care gives doctors and support staff a round-the-clock ability to assess your condition. It also gives them the opportunity to identify any complications and provide immediate help for emergencies. In addition, participation in inpatient Xanax rehabilitation makes it easier for your doctor to fine-tune every aspect of your recovery efforts.

    Moderate and severe cases of Xanax addiction are usually best addressed through rehabilitation with the inpatient model of care. The same recommendation also applies to most people who have significant mental health issues in addition to alprazolam-related problems. Even if you only have mild abuse/addiction symptoms, you may do better in inpatient rehab treatment. Reasons for making this choice include inadequate recovery support in your home environment and a desire to avoid daily sources of stress during recovery.

    Evidence-Based Options for Treatment and Recovery

    As with benzodiazepine detox, prescription drugs do not play a prominent role in active rehabilitation and recovery from alprazolam abuse. Instead, inpatient and outpatient rehab centers rely on a mixture of basic medical support and behavioral therapy. Therapies in this category get their name because they aim to help you undo damaging behaviors and replace them with alternatives that support your health and well-being.

    Three therapy options for benzodiazepine addiction are supported by solid, research-based evidence: motivation-based treatments, psychoeducation and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). Motivation-based approaches like motivational enhancement therapy help you get clear about the reasons for participating in substance rehab. They can also help you maintain your drive for a successful recovery during the inevitable ups and downs of treatment.

    In psychoeducation, you and your family members increase your understanding of how addiction and addiction rehab treatment work. This approach also gives you encouragement to act as your own advocate and vent any frustrations about what’s happening to you. In addition, psychoeducation can provide important reinforcement for other forms of rehab and therapy you receive.

    CBT is one of the most widely used therapy options for people recovering from substance problems. In its beginning stages, this form of counseling focuses on improving your understanding of how Xanax abuse/addiction became part of your life. As the therapy continues, you will learn effective tools and coping mechanisms for recognizing and avoiding reactions that contribute to you addiction-focused behaviors.

    Choosing Your Destination for Addiction Rehab

    With all this information at your disposal, you can now begin to determine which rehab centers meet your needs for recovery from Xanax addiction. When compiling your list of options, include only those programs that follow the accepted standard of care for benzodiazepine-related problems. That includes medical support and the use of evidence-based behavioral therapy. In all cases, Xanax rehab treatment should be administered by doctors and staff members with provable expertise in addiction care.

    When you ask a recovery center how treatment begins, the answer should always be a thorough assessment of your addiction symptoms and your physical and mental health. The understanding gained from such an assessment is crucial to the creation of an appropriate Xanax rehabilitation plan. Without that understanding, treatment would be little more than a guessing game.

    In addition to grounding themselves in the accepted basics of effective care, rehab programs on your list may offer other, customized treatment options. Such offerings are most common in holistically oriented centers that see you as a complete person with unique needs. By avoiding cookie-cutter solutions, they can substantially enhance the usefulness of the time you spend in recovery. Stress management and relaxation techniques often form the core of a holistic rehab approach. However, the range of options may be far greater at any given high-quality facility.

    Ultimately, you are responsible for your journey to sustainable addiction rehabilitation and recovery. No one else can take that obligation from you. However, by making the best possible choice for Xanax rehab, you lighten your load as much as possible. With so much at stake, it helps to know that you have experts in your corner every step of the way.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • How long do benzos stay in your system?

    How long do benzos stay in your system?

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Benzodiazepines can be detected up to 30 days in urine although chronic use (1+ years) can be detected 4–6 weeks after last dose in urine. Benzos can also be detected in serum and plasma for 12 hours to 2 days after last dose.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Taking Benzos

    Benzodiazepines, or “Benzos”, are one of the most powerful tranquilizer sedatives prescribed by doctors. As a central nervous system depressant, benzodiazepine can be highly effective. However, benzos vary in terms of uses, active times and addictive qualities. When taken recreationally, people use these meds for sedative effect, or to enhance the effects of alcohol or opioids…but also increase addictive potential.

    Medically, benzodiazepines are prescribed to induce sleep, relieve anxiety, to sedate, treat muscle spasms and prevent seizures. Benzos can also be prescribed during alcohol withdrawal, or used to treat anxiety related disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. They should only be prescribed for short periods of time.

    Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed and taken orally, but some people use benzos without a prescription from a doctor. This is illegal and can be very dangerous. Some use intravenous injection after preparing a solution from crushed tablets. Commercially available liquid forms can also be injected, and gel forms can be rectally administered.

    The list below shows some of the different generic and brand names of benzodiazepines:

    • Bromazepam: Lexotan.
    • Clonazepam: Rivotril.
    • Diazepam: Valium, Ducene, Antenex.
    • Flunitrazepam: Rohypnol, Hypnodorm.
    • Lorazepam: Ativan.
    • Nitrazepam: Mogadon, Alodorm.
    • Oxazepam: Serepax, Murelax, Alepam.
    • Temazepam: Euhypnos, Normison, Temaze.

    Some slang names for benzos are rowies, serries, moggies, vals, V, normies, downers, tranks and sleepers.

    Main Effects

    The effects of benzodiazepines can be divided into immediate and long-term effects and may last from a few hours to a few days, depending on the dose and type of benzo you take.

    The immediate effects can include that you:

    • Become confused or dizzy.
    • Cannot judge distances or movement properly.
    • Cannot remember things from just a short time ago.
    • Feel drowsy, sleepy or tired.
    • Feel really good.
    • Feel relaxed.
    • Have blurred or double vision.
    • Have mood swings.
    • Have no energy.
    • Slur your words or stutter.

    If you use benzodiazepines often for a long time, you may:

    • Be cranky.
    • Be depressed.
    • Be hungrier and put on weight.
    • Experience fatigue or drowsiness.
    • Feel sick in the stomach.
    • Get skin rashes.
    • Have dreams that make you feel bad.
    • Have headaches.
    • Have menstrual problems if you are a woman.
    • Have no energy or interest in doing normal things.
    • Lose interest in sex, or your body will not work properly during sex.

    Factors that Influence Metabolism

    Not everyone reacts to benzos the same way. In fact, there are a number of factors that play into how these types of drugs effect you and how you metabolize them. For example, your current mood, past experience with benzodiazepines, and whether you use alone or with others, at home or at a party can also include outcomes.
    Generally, benzodiazepine metabolism depends on:

    • How many tablets and what dose you take.
    • Route of administration.
    • Whether you use benzos on their own or with other drugs.
    • Your general health.
    • Your height and weight.

    Peak Levels And Half-Life

    Peak levels and drug half life of benzos depend upon the particular drug prescribed, dosage, interval between doses, and route of administration. Longer half-life benzodiazepines have a more sustained effect, although some may accumulate. In general, benzos can be divided into these three categories:

    Ultra short acting benzos: The half-life of ultra short acting benzodiazepines is less than 5 hours. These drugs are essentially non-accumulating.

    Short acting and intermediate benzos: This class of benzodiazepines have half-life values from 5-24 hours and can be dosed more frequently. Accumulation during multiple dosage is less extensive than with the long-acting group, and diminishes as the half-life becomes shorter.

    Long acting benzos: Long acting benzodiazepines have half-life values usually exceeding 24 hours. Drugs in this category have long acting pharmacologically active metabolites, which accumulate extensively during multiple dosage.

    Blood, Hair, And Urine Sample Tests

    Testing cutoff concentrations for benzodiazepine are at 200 ng/ml. So how long do benzos stay in the body?

    Blood: Benzos can be detected in serum and plasma for 12 hours to 2 days after last dose.

    Hair: Hair samples are usually not used to detect benzodiazepines. While some popular medicines like diazepam may regularly be detected via this method, false negative results and variability in performance make this test less standard.

    Urine: Benzodiazepines can be detected up to 30 days in urine although chronic use (1+ years) can be detected 4–6 weeks after last dose in urine.

    You can find a full list of Drug Tests approved by the FDA here. [1]

    Benzodiazepines are now part of most routine drug screening procedures. Most standard drug screens are usually unable to distinguish between different benzodiazepines. Since a number of benzodiazepines share common pathways of metabolism, it is not possible to test for the abuse of specific benzodiazepines such as diazepam or temazepam. It is also difficult for drug tests to detect ‘low’ dose benzodiazepine use.

    Tolerance and Dependence

    Anyone can develop a ‘tolerance’ to benzodiazepines. Tolerance means that you must take more of the drug to feel the same effects you used to have with smaller amounts or lower doses. This may happen very quickly with benzodiazepines.

    Physical dependence occurs when you regularly take benzos for period of a few weeks or longer. In fact, most of the drugs in this class of medications should be prescribed for 6 weeks or less, due to the phenomenon of dependence. According to this 2015 article published in the Australian Prescriber [2]:

    Any patient who has taken a benzodiazepine for longer than 3–4 weeks is likely to have withdrawal symptoms if the drug is ceased abruptly. The risk of inducing dependence can be reduced by issuing prescriptions limited to 1–2 weeks supply.

    When you become drug-dependent, your brain has adapted to the psychoactive chemicals found in the benzodiazepine by compensation, in this cases, “speeding up” certain processes or functions. It does this to balance out the sedative, depressant effects of the strong benzo drug in your system. When you significantly lower dosage or quit altogether, it takes time for the brain to find homeostasis again. So, withdrawal symptoms occur.

    However, benzo dependence is not limited to physical dependence. ‘Psychological dependence’ on benzodiazepines is also possible. When a benzo takes up a lot of your thoughts, emotions, and activities…you might be hooked on it. People who are psychologically dependent spend a lot of time thinking about using benzodiazepines, looking for them, using them, and getting over the effects of using them. You may also find it difficult to stop using or control how much you use. This kind of dependence, also known as addiction, can lead to a variety of health, money, legal, work and relationship problems.

    Not all people who ever use benzodiazepines become dependent. But it is very easy to become dependent on benzodiazepines and it can happen within four weeks.

    Withdrawal

    People who are dependent on benzodiazepines find it very hard to stop using them or cut down because of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal often involves “rebound” symptoms related to the original problem. So, if you were taking the meds to control anxiety, your anxiety can be amplified. Likewise for sleeping problems.
    Still, suddenly stopping using benzodiazepines can be dangerous. You should get help and withdraw gradually if you have been using benzos regularly or using high doses of them. Tapering guidelines outlined by Dr. Heather Ashton are consider the go-to medical guidance for safely coming off these strong drugs. [3]

    Symptoms of benzo withdrawal can include:

    • Being confused or depressed.
    • Convulsions.
    • Disturbed sleep.
    • Feeling nervous or tense.
    • Feeling afraid or thinking other people want to hurt you.
    • Feeling distant or not connected with other people or things.
    • Flu-like symptoms.
    • Heavier menstrual bleeding and breast pain in women.
    • Pain, stiffness or muscle aches or spasms.
    • Panicking and feeling anxious.
    • Shaking.
    • Sharpened or changed senses (e.g. Noises seem louder than usual).

    Signs of a Problem

    There is significant concern regarding overprescribing of benzodiazepines and the resultant harms. People who are benzodiazepine dependent or at risk because of misuse should be identified and appropriately assessed to determine their risk of harm.

    You may have a problem if you present any of these characteristics:

    • Amnesia.
    • Appearance of dementia.
    • Benzodiazepine overdose.
    • Blurry vision.
    • Confusion.
    • Disturbing dreams.
    • Drowsiness.
    • Hostility.
    • Instability when walking or moving.
    • Irritability.
    • Judgment alteration.
    • Lack of coordination.
    • Reduced inhibition.

    Furthermore, these medicines can be addictive. Since many benzodiazepine addictions start out as prescriptions, it can be challenging to notice when a person becomes addicted. Once a person has become addicted to benzodiazepines, they may appear detached and apathetic. They may begin removing themselves from normal family and social activities and lose interest in hobbies and maintaining relationships.

    The main signs of benzodiazepine addiction include:

    1. Continued use, despite harm to health, work, or relationships.
    2. Feeling that you cannot function without the medicine.
    3. Trying to quit but being unable to stop.
    4. Using benzos to get high.

    Prescribing interventions, substitution, psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies all contribute to the management of benzodiazepine dependence.

    Risks of Misuse

    The way a person uses benzodiazepines can also cause some problems. If you take a very high dose of benzodiazepines alone or with other drugs, you can depress the respiratory system, go into a coma or die. Injecting benzodiazepines that are intended to be swallowed in tablet/capsule form can also cause severe damage to veins, leading to loss of limbs from poor circulation, organ damage or stroke. Injecting benzodiazepines with used or dirty injecting equipment makes you more likely to get infected with HIV, hepatitis B or C, get blood poisoning and skin abscesses.

    NOTE HERE: To minimize possible harm, avoid injecting benzos. If you do, DO NOT SHARE fits (needles and syringes), spoons, water, filters, alcohol swabs, or tourniquets.

    Benzos and Addiction

    Do you have problems with Benzodiazepines? If you think that you have a problem (with any chemical or drug), you probably do. Ask yourself, why you are taking it? And you will have an answer. We understand some benzodiazepines are more addictive than others and the problems they can cause.

    You are not alone. In fact, once you are ready to face potential addiction to drugs, help is available. If you think that you are addicted to benzos, please email us or write us a comment below. We would love to hear from you and are here to help you get treatment.

    Reference Sources: [1] FDA: Drugs Of Abuse Test
    [2] NCBI: Management Of Benzodiazepine Misuse And Dependence
    [3] New Castle University: Benzodiazepines: How They Work And How To Withdraw
    FDA: Drug Safety
    NIDA: Well-Known Mechanism Underlies Benzodiazepines’ Addictive Properties
    NIH: Detection OF Benzodiazepines AND Z-Drugs IN Hair Using AN Uhplc-Ms/Ms Validated Method: Application TO Workplace Drug Testing
    SAMHSA: FDA Regulation Of Drugs Of Abuse Tests
    STATE OF NJ: Benzodiazepine Addiction Help And Treatment In New Jersey

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • Ask an Expert: How Do You Safely Detox from Benzos?

    Ask an Expert: How Do You Safely Detox from Benzos?

    Dr. Khantzian (Harvard Medical School) explains how hospitals safely detox people from benzodiazepines like Xanax when withdrawals can potentially cause seizures and death.

    Dear Expert,

    I know that withdrawal from Xanax is very dangerous, with risks of panic attacks and seizures and even death. How do hospitals detox people who are addicted to benzos such as Xanax?

    Edward J. Khantzian, MD: You are correct that withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause seizures and even death, and should only be done in a detox facility under medical supervision where dosages are precise and withdrawal symptoms can be carefully monitored. At the very least, benzodiazepine withdrawal should occur under the supervision of a physician with whom one has a close and honest rapport.

    Detox may differ depending on the particular benzo used, so initially a physician will do a urine test to ensure that it is Xanax. Then, a program of supervised withdrawal will begin based on how much one has been taking and for how long—this will impact the chances of significant withdrawal symptoms. Xanax comes in 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg tablets. Most practitioners tend to prescribe the medication in the lower dose range, which is 0.5 mg. For withdrawal, we usually use a benzodiazepine with a slower onset and longer duration of action, such as oxazepam (Serax). After the physician establishes an initial tolerance amount, he or she will generally put the patient on a slow taper in which the oxazepam dose is decreased by 10% every few days until it can be discontinued entirely.

    This is just an example of one protocol that an experienced physician or detox facility would use. As above, I strongly recommend that withdrawal occur in one of these scenarios. Under these conditions, withdrawal should be safe and comfortable. All the best.

    Dr. Khantzian is Professor of Psychiatry, part time, Harvard Medical School in Boston, and President and Chairman, Board of Directors, Physician Health Services of the Massachusetts Medical Society in Waltham, Mass. He is in private practice and specializes in addiction psychiatry. Full Bio.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Benzo Death Rates Among Women Skyrocket

    Benzo Death Rates Among Women Skyrocket

    A new report also shows the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions has sharply risen over an 18-year timeframe.

    New statistics suggest that the overdose death rates involving the prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines have risen dramatically over the past decade, and approach statistics for heroin – and synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths.

    A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that between 1999 and 2017, the number of women between the ages of 30 and 64 who died from an drug overdose involving benzodiazepines – a family of drugs used for anxiety – rose 830% during that time period.

    The CDC also found that prescriptions for benzodiazepines rose by 67% during the approximate same time period.

    Benzodiazepines, which include such medications as Xanax, Valium and Klonopin, can prove effective in treating conditions like anxiety or insomnia if taken on an intermittent basis over a period of a few weeks. But with long-term use, they also carry an increased risk for overdose if taken with opioids.

    Their ability to calm or sedate the user through an increase in the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, which can be dangerous if taken with drugs that slow breathing like opioids or even alcohol. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in 2018 that 30% of opioid-related overdoses also involved benzodiazepines.

    The overall impact of benzodiazepine on overdose mortality rates paints a more alarming picture when observed over the time period covered in the CDC’s report. According to their research, overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines among women in the aforementioned target age group rose from 0.54 per 100,000 in 1997 to 5.02 per 100,000 in 2017 – a jump of 830%. 

    The number of benzodiazepine prescriptions also saw a startling increase during the study time frame, rising from 8.1 million adults in the United States who filled a prescription for the medication in 1996 to 13.5 million in 2013.

    Prescriptions began to drop or level off after 2013, but overdose deaths maintained their steady climb: in 2016 alone, there were 10,685 overdose deaths attributed to the drug, while in 1999, the US total as just 1,135.

    Commentary in the February 2018 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that education about the dangers of the drug and alternatives should be paired with national efforts to fight the opioid crisis.

    Informing doctors and patients alike about their dangers, and the effectiveness of alternative treatments for anxiety and insomnia, could help to bring the numbers reported by the CDC down.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Lena Dunham Reveals She's Six Months Sober

    Lena Dunham Reveals She's Six Months Sober

    The “Girls” creator opened up about her benzo addiction on Dax Shepard’s podcast “Armchair Expert.”

    Actress Lena Dunham said she is six months sober after misusing anxiety medications, and that her body is still adjusting to this new normal. 

    Speaking with actor Dax Shepard on his podcast, Armchair Expert, Dunham said that although she was only using medications that her doctor had prescribed her, she realized that her use was becoming unhealthy. 

    “It stopped being, ‘I take one when I fly,’ and it started being like, ‘I take one when I’m awake,’” she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

    Dunham said that she spent three years using the powerful anti-anxiety medication Klonopin, a benzodiazepine, describing her habit as “misusing benzos, even though it was all quote unquote doctor prescribed.”

    Dunham said that at first, the medication seemed to help manage her anxiety and make her “feel like the person I was supposed to be.”

    “I was having crazy anxiety and having to show up for things that I didn’t feel equipped to show up for. But I know I need to do it, and when I take a Klonopin, I can do it,” Dunham said.

    “It was like suddenly I felt like the part of me that I knew was there was freed up to do her thing.”

    Dunham added that doctors were willing to continue writing her the prescriptions, especially after she was diagnosed with PTSD following sexual trauma and health issues. 

    “I didn’t have any trouble getting a doctor to tell me, ‘No, you’ve got serious anxiety issues, you should be taking this. This is how you should be existing,’” she said.

    During the time when her health was at her worst, she said that taking Klonopin was the only way to cope with extreme physical and emotional pain. 

    “It stopped feeling like I had panic attacks and it started feeling like I was a living panic attack,” she said. “During that time I was taking Klonopin, it wasn’t making it better but I just thought, ‘If I don’t take this, how much worse will it get?’”

    Dunham stopped taking the drug, but said that she had no idea that weaning off of it would be such an intense process. 

    “Nobody I know who are prescribed these medications is told, ‘By the way, when you try and get off this, it’s going to be like the most hellacious acid trip you’ve ever had where you’re fucking clutching the walls and the hair is blowing off your head and you can’t believe you found yourself in this situation,’” she said. 

    She added that she is still adjusting to life without benzos. 

    “I still feel like my brain is recalibrating itself to experience anxiety,” she said. “I just feel, literally, on my knees grateful every day.” 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Could Anti-Anxiety Meds Be The Next Prescription Drug Epidemic?

    Could Anti-Anxiety Meds Be The Next Prescription Drug Epidemic?

    “We have this whole infrastructure set up to prevent overprescribing of opioids and address the need for addiction treatment. We need to start making benzos part of that.”

    An increase in the number of drug overdose deaths among individuals who used benzodiazepines has some state and local health officials concerned that the drugs could be at the center of a new prescription drug crisis.

    Benzodiazepines, which include such medications as Xanax, Valium and Klonopin, are commonly prescribed for anxiety or insomnia, and in the past two decades-plus, the number of prescriptions written for these medications has risen from 8 million to 14 million adults in the United States. But when taken in combination with prescription or illicit opioids, the likelihood of death can increase as much as tenfold, prompting medical and government officials alike to propose greater attention to their use.

    According to an article in LiveWellNebraska, a joint publication by BlueCross BlueShield Nebraska and the Omaha World-Herald, the number of adults nationwide filling a prescription for benzodiazepines has increased two-thirds between 1996 and 2013—a period of time which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also saw the sales of prescription opioids quadruple in the U.S. 

    LiveWellNebraska also noted that while prescriptions for benzodiazepines appear to have leveled or declined slightly in the years—and opioid prescriptions have dropped by a fifth since 2013—the level of prescribing for benzodiazepines still remains higher than rates in the mid-1990s.

    Taken on their own or in combination with painkillers, the drugs carry health risks that range from debilitating withdrawal to possible fatality. Research from the CDC found that 23% of individuals who died from an opioid overdose also tested positive for benzodiazepine.

    Reaction from the medical community has been divided between support for benzodiazepines, which have shown to be effective at relieving serious cases of anxiety and insomnia.

    The International Task Force on Benzodiazepines, which counts scientists, researchers and pharmacologists in its number, has formed in response to what has been perceived as backlash against the drugs, despite their potential for positive impact.

    But other health officials and medical professionals have stated that increased focus on the potential health concerns from benzodiazepines may possibly prevent a widespread epidemic like the opioid crisis.

    “We have this whole infrastructure set up now to prevent overprescribing of opioids and address the need for addiction treatment,” said Dr. Anna Lembke, a researcher and addiction specialist at Stanford University. “We need to start making benzos part of that. What we’re seeing is just like what happened with opioids in the 1990s. It really does begin with overprescribing.”

    View the original article at thefix.com