Trying to undergo detox on your own is highly unlikely to be successful, and even if you do make it through, a dedicated treatment facility is safer and can potentially make the process more comfortable. Not only do you benefit from constant supervision from clinical staff, you’re ensured a safe, comfortable place to undergo withdrawal from a variety of addictive substances. It’s essential to have support during this time to monitor hydration, nutrition, and overall well-being, ensuring that your body is healing safely and properly. Seeking professional help can reduce risks and improve your chances of a smoother, more effective recovery.
Mental Health Treatment
Eating smaller meals and sticking to a healthy diet will make digestion easier. Benzodiazepines or benzos are highly addictive because the body quickly builds tolerance. This means that you need to take a larger dose to experience the same calming effect. Different drugs have different half-life durations, as some can last for less than 24 hours, while other long-acting compounds can last more than 48 hours in your system.
Diagnosing Benzo Belly: A Clinical Approach
Abruptly stopping or reducing your dose without medical supervision can lead to severe symptoms, including seizures. Always consult with a benzo belly qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication. If you are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, seek immediate medical attention or call 911. The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. In the context of addiction treatment, especially during the acute and protracted withdrawal phases, understanding and effectively managing these symptoms is crucial. This understanding becomes even more important considering the prevalence of benzodiazepine prescriptions.
Withdrawal symptoms often include gastrointestinal disturbances such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. These symptoms can adversely affect the gut microbiome and lead to long-term digestive issues. Over time, abuse of benzos can change your personality and emotional responses to situations. Long-term users can become aggressive and paranoid and suffer from depression.
The prevalence of benzodiazepine prescriptions has led to a greater incidence of benzo belly among individuals attempting to discontinue use. This dependency can result in a cycle of continued use to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. The management of benzodiazepine withdrawal and its symptoms is a critical aspect of care for those affected. The physical discomfort of benzo belly can have a significant impact on your mental health.
- Your doctor may recommend specific, evidence-based medications or supportive therapies to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
- The condition known as “benzo belly,” as well as other acute withdrawal symptoms can occur as a result of chronic benzodiazepine abuse, also known as drug misuse.
- We have a full range of treatment options, including medical detox, inpatient care, partial hospitalization programming and intensive outpatient services.
- With appropriate management and discontinuation of benzodiazepines, “benzo belly” is typically reversible.
- They also act on a neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), that is linked to activity in the gut.
Benzo belly refers to gastrointestinal issues that may arise as a side effect of benzodiazepine medications. These drugs, commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia and other conditions, can disrupt normal digestive processes, leading to a range of digestive symptoms. The primary preventive measure is to limit the use of benzodiazepines on a short-term or as-needed basis.
Tara Gallucci’s Recovery Story
To learn about all your options for recovery services, contact FHE Health today. A theory that’s becoming more prominent in the scientific community explores the connection between the stomach, the GI tract and the brain. It can be demonstrated through the concept of having a “gut feeling.” This is the sensation you sometimes get in your stomach about what’s right or wrong.
As it turns out, this may be more than an idiomatic expression — it may be rooted in real science. Our gut and brain are closely connected, which is known as the gut-brain axis. Benzodiazepines slow down the central nervous system, including gut motility (the process that moves food through the digestive system).
- Additionally, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, over-the-counter medications, and smoking can help to support digestive health during benzo withdrawal.
- In general, no; people withdrawing from benzos must be patient and wait for symptoms to go away.
- In turn, this can lead to a challenging withdrawal phase characterized by benzo belly.
- A structured tapering plan under medical supervision can mitigate these psychological symptoms and ensure a safer withdrawal process.
- Gabapentin, while not a benzodiazepine, is sometimes used off-label to help manage withdrawal symptoms, offering an alternative to those seeking relief without the use of benzodiazepines.
Reach out to our Recovery Advocates to learn more about our treatment programs and find a plan that works well for your specific needs and situation. The psychological aspect often involves problems with concentration, which can exacerbate the distress caused by the physical symptoms. For more information about our drug abuse treatment programs, call our helpline to speak with a specialist today.
Protracted Withdrawal
This underscores our commitment to personalized treatment, ensuring each resident receives care that is best suited to their recovery needs. To reduce the intensity of symptoms and lower the risk of complications, medical professionals strongly recommend a gradual tapering process under clinical supervision. This approach helps the brain and body slowly adjust to the absence of benzodiazepines, minimizing withdrawal effects like benzo belly and other physical disturbances. At Villa Oasis, our medical detox program offers 24/7 monitoring and individualized care plans to help ease the withdrawal process in a safe and supportive environment. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be a complex and physically taxing process, particularly for individuals who have been using these medications for an extended period.
Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment – Villa Oasis
Drug addiction and withdrawal can best be treated within an addiction treatment facility that offers a quality medical detox program. Understanding this link highlights why withdrawal affects both the mind and body. At Villa Oasis, we recognize the impact of the gut-brain axis and support our clients through targeted care that addresses both the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Personalized Detox Plans for Gut Health
Only use medications or supplements that your doctor prescribes or approves during withdrawal, as some substances (even herbal ones) can interfere with the detox process or pose risks. Given the complex nature of these symptoms and the potential for long-term psychological effects, it is crucial for individuals experiencing benzo belly to seek professional medical support. A structured tapering plan under medical supervision can mitigate these psychological symptoms and ensure a safer withdrawal process. It is important to recognize these symptoms as potential indicators of benzo belly, especially in the context of recent discontinuation or tapering off of benzodiazepine use. The severity of these symptoms often correlates with the dosage and duration of benzodiazepine treatment before cessation. Healthcare providers should be aware of these withdrawal effects to offer appropriate support and management strategies to those affected.
Physical functioning can also be affected, with side effects such as slurred speech and cognitive impairment. Putting a stop to your benzo use will improve your day-to-day life, but the withdrawal process will need to be a slow taper closely monitored by a doctor. Some individuals may experience ongoing digestive discomfort for a longer period, especially if they have underlying health issues. Minimizing the risk involves using benzodiazepines judiciously—only when necessary and for the shortest possible duration at the lowest effective dose. Additionally, lifestyle adjustments such as diet, exercise, and stress management can help alleviate symptoms.
Gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating and abdominal pain, are common among people who are going through benzodiazepine withdrawal. Probiotics can help with digestion and help you feel better, even when experiencing benzo belly symptoms. Moreover, you’re more likely to experience these annoying symptoms for a shorter period, so you can get back to your life without relapse.
Take control of your recovery. Start your benzodiazepine detox today!
At Scottsdale Detox, we take a holistic approach to treating benzo belly, focusing on healing your body, mind, and emotions. Our goal is to make sure you feel better both physically and mentally as you go through recovery. Scottsdale Detox understands this connection and provides both mental and physical support during detox, helping you manage the emotional challenges of recovery while addressing your digestive symptoms. At Bedrock Recovery Center, located in Massachusetts, we offer full detox and residential treatment programs for people who are dependent on one or more addictive substances, including benzodiazepines.
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