Trust SoCal Treatment Center

Benzodiazepine Addiction

Compassionate, evidence-based treatment for lasting recovery

Medically reviewed by Rachel Handa, Clinical Director — Updated February 1, 2026

What Is Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan) Addiction?

Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription sedatives commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizures, and muscle spasms. While effective for short-term use, benzodiazepines carry a high risk of physical dependence that can develop within just a few weeks of regular use. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clonazepam (Klonopin), and lorazepam (Ativan). Benzodiazepine addiction is particularly dangerous because withdrawal can cause life-threatening seizures, making medical detox not just recommended but essential for safe discontinuation.

Signs & Symptoms

Recognizing the signs of benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, klonopin, ativan) addiction is the first step toward getting help. Common indicators include:

Taking higher doses or using benzodiazepines more frequently than prescribed
Excessive drowsiness, slurred speech, and impaired coordination
Memory problems, confusion, and difficulty concentrating
Anxiety that worsens significantly whenever the medication begins to wear off (rebound anxiety)
Doctor shopping or obtaining benzodiazepines from multiple prescribers or non-medical sources

Health Effects

1Severe cognitive impairment including memory loss and difficulty with learning and concentration

2Increased risk of falls, fractures, and motor vehicle accidents due to sedation and impaired coordination

3Respiratory depression and fatal overdose, especially when combined with opioids or alcohol

4Long-term neurological changes that may persist for months or years after discontinuation

5Paradoxical reactions including increased anxiety, agitation, aggression, and insomnia

Withdrawal & Detox

Benzodiazepine withdrawal is medically serious and can be life-threatening. Symptoms range from rebound anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and sensory disturbances to seizures, psychosis, and, in rare cases, death. The severity depends on the specific benzodiazepine, dose, duration of use, and individual factors. Short-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax tend to produce more intense withdrawal, while long-acting formulations may have a delayed onset. Safe discontinuation requires a medically supervised taper, typically converting the patient to a long-acting benzodiazepine and gradually reducing the dose over days to weeks. Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepines is dangerous and should never be attempted without medical supervision.

Treatment at Trust SoCal

Benzodiazepine addiction treatment at Trust SoCal centers on a carefully managed medical taper as the foundation of safe detox. Our physicians use evidence-based tapering protocols, often cross-titrating to a long-acting benzodiazepine like diazepam and gradually reducing the dose to minimize withdrawal severity. Adjunctive medications may be used to manage specific symptoms. Once medically stable, clients engage in behavioral therapy focused on developing non-pharmacological coping strategies for the anxiety or insomnia that originally led to benzodiazepine use. CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) and CBT for anxiety are particularly effective. Addressing the underlying condition that prompted benzodiazepine prescribing is essential for preventing relapse.

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Key Statistics

Benzodiazepines were involved in approximately 14,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2022, most commonly in combination with opioids.

Approximately 30% of opioid overdose deaths also involve benzodiazepines, highlighting the extreme danger of combined use.

An estimated 5.3 million Americans misused prescription benzodiazepines in the past year, according to the 2022 NSDUH.

Related Addiction Types

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction, clinically known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic medical condition characterized by an inability to control drinking despite negative consequences. Because alcohol is legal and socially normalized, many people struggle to recognize when casual drinking has crossed the line into dependence. Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body, and withdrawal from heavy, prolonged use can be life-threatening without medical supervision. At Trust SoCal, we provide medically supervised detox and comprehensive treatment tailored to the unique challenges of alcohol recovery.

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Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction encompasses dependence on prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine. These medications are highly effective for managing acute pain but carry a significant risk of physical dependence and addiction, even when taken as prescribed. Opioids work by binding to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, producing pain relief and intense feelings of euphoria that drive continued use. The opioid epidemic has devastated communities across the United States, and effective, compassionate treatment is more critical than ever.

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Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction encompasses the misuse of and dependence on any medication obtained through legitimate medical channels, including opioid painkillers, benzodiazepine sedatives, stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, and sleep aids like Ambien. Because these drugs are prescribed by physicians and manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, many people underestimate their addiction potential and believe they are inherently safer than illicit drugs. In reality, prescription drug misuse is one of the most common and fastest-growing forms of substance use disorder in the United States. Treatment requires addressing both the addiction itself and the underlying medical condition that originally prompted the prescription.

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Recommended Treatment Programs

Medical Detox

A safe, medically supervised first step toward lasting recovery.

5-10 days

Residential Treatment

Immersive, structured care in a healing environment where recovery becomes your full focus.

30-90 days

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Integrated treatment that addresses addiction and mental health together, not separately.

30-90 days

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Hospital-level structure and care during the day with the comfort of home at night.

2-4 weeks, 5 days per week

Therapies Used in Treatment

CBTCognitive Behavioral Therapy DBTDialectical Behavior Therapy EMDREye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing MIMotivational Interviewing GGroup Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is benzodiazepine withdrawal so dangerous?

Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. With chronic use, the brain reduces its own GABA production and increases excitatory activity to compensate. When the drug is suddenly removed, the brain is left in a hyperexcitable state that can trigger seizures, which are potentially fatal. This is why a gradual, medically supervised taper is essential and why benzodiazepines should never be stopped abruptly.

How long does benzodiazepine withdrawal take?

The acute withdrawal phase typically lasts 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the specific benzodiazepine and the tapering protocol used. However, a protracted withdrawal syndrome can occur in some individuals, producing symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, cognitive difficulties, and sensory disturbances that fluctuate for months or even up to a year. Our treatment team monitors for protracted withdrawal and provides ongoing support throughout the recovery process.

Can I become addicted to benzodiazepines even if I take them as prescribed?

Yes. Physical dependence on benzodiazepines can develop within 2 to 4 weeks of daily use, even at therapeutic doses prescribed by a physician. Dependence means your body has adapted to the drug and you will experience withdrawal symptoms without it. This is why current medical guidelines generally recommend benzodiazepines only for short-term use and emphasize the importance of having a clear discontinuation plan.

What alternatives exist for managing anxiety without benzodiazepines?

Several effective alternatives exist, including non-addictive medications like SSRIs, SNRIs, and buspirone for ongoing anxiety management, as well as evidence-based psychotherapies such as CBT, which has been shown to be as effective as benzodiazepines for many anxiety disorders with more lasting benefits. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, regular exercise, and sleep hygiene practices are also powerful complementary approaches that we teach as part of our treatment program.

Related Resources & Information

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