Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services | #370186AP | Exp. 1/31/2023
BENZODIAZEPINE TREATMENT
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What are benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, are prescription medications. They are legally available through medical professionals. Benzos act as depressants. They produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures.
Examples of benzos
There are a variety of benzos that people can obtain legally through a medical professional. When they are prescribed, it is often to help with existing issues. Some of the most widely used include:
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Xanax
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Librium
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Ativan
What is benzo addiction?
Although benzos are available through prescription, people addicted to them often maintain their supply by forging prescriptions, finding multiple doctors to prescribe medication, or using illicit means to buy them. People often find that the easiest to obtain are alprazolam and clonazepam.
Many people addicted to benzos start as patients who are looking for relief from specific issues. However, they may find that the effects wear off too quickly or that they like how it feels and wish to obtain more. Often, these individuals will seek out the numbing effects of the drugs and will look for as much as they can get, be it legally or illegally.
Treatment at Villa Oasis San Diego
At Villa Oasis San Diego, we know how many people struggle with benzo addiction. As a result, we provide various treatment options to help people find healing.
Detox
The first step to any benzo treatment is detox. This can take longer than many people expect. The problem is that benzos must be stepped down gradually rather than cold turkey. Therefore, the amount of time needed for full detox depends on a variety of factors.
Some symptoms of benzo detox include:
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Anxiety
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Irritability
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Insomnia
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Muscle pain
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Sensory distortion
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Nausea
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Heart palpitations
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Tremors
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Many people will benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) at Villa Oasis San Diego. We utilize this treatment to help residents manage their problems by changing how they behave and think.
For people coming off benzos, the concept of life without them can be frightening, and the urge to return to them can be strong. A medical professional will discuss the need for the medication, what that need has done to the individual and the concept of taking back one’s life. They will learn new behaviors and ways to cope with pain and anxiety.
For people going through CBT, the process is not a one-size-fits-all situation. At Villa Oasis San Diego, our residents are given a full care plan to create an individualized program. For people struggling with benzo dependence, CBT will feature prominently.
Group therapy
For many of our residents, the concept of discussing their issues surrounding benzo abuse may feel strange. They may see themselves as simply having a problem with regulating medication. However, this is the type of mentality that needs to be discussed.
In small group settings, people have the opportunity to speak openly and know that they are being heard. At Villa Oasis San Diego, there are never more than six residents in a group. This means that when a person has something to say, it can be discussed, debated, and considered. All of our groups are mediated by a medical professional who knows how to give feedback and allow each person the chance to tell their story and learn from others.
Often, the goal of group therapy is to form a connection with people in a similar situation. Residents will be able to hear from others struggling with addiction and learn why their behavior is only causing more problems. People with benzo dependence may feel more comfortable speaking with others like them instead of people who have not been in their shoes.
Family education
Villa Oasis San Diego understands that benzo dependence is not something that only affects the individual. The fact is that those around the person also suffer the consequences of the individual’s actions. For this reason, we offer education and family counseling for residents who require it.
We are happy to bring in the family to discuss treatment and the ongoing recovery process. For many people, the post-treatment process may hinge on having a social safety net to lean on in challenging moments. We want to make sure that our residents leave us as equipped as possible for what comes next.
Get benzo treatment in San Diego
At Villa Oasis San Diego, we are dedicated to making sure that each of our residents understands their individual situation and the required time commitment. Many people see the treatment process as lasting exactly 30 days. This is a myth portrayed by popular culture. The fact is, each person has their own diagnosis and personal care plan that may require more or less time to achieve.
When a resident arrives at our facility, we make sure that they understand what is required of them so that they can get through the process. Recovery is not meant to be a band-aid solution. If a person simply papers over the cracks of their addiction, the likelihood of a relapse is compounded.
It is our mission to present our residents with information regarding their treatment journey and the time it will take to achieve their goals. We intend to work with each resident individually to provide the necessary care to put them on the road to a benzo-free life.
