Detox Guide
Benzodiazepine Detox: Why You Cannot Stop Cold Turkey
Benzodiazepines produce one of the most difficult withdrawal syndromes in medicine. Abrupt cessation can trigger seizures, psychosis, and protracted symptoms lasting months.
Why a slow taper matters
The Ashton Manual and current addiction medicine guidance both recommend slow, patient-controlled tapers — often converting short-acting benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) to a long-acting agent such as diazepam (Valium) or clonazepam (Klonopin) before beginning reductions of 5–10 percent every 2–4 weeks.
Inpatient vs outpatient taper
Inpatient detox is appropriate for high-dose, long-duration use or a history of seizures. Most outpatient tapers in New Jersey are managed by addiction psychiatrists over 3–12 months.
Post-acute withdrawal (PAWS)
A subset of people experience symptoms — sensory hypersensitivity, insomnia, anxiety — for 6–18 months after their last dose. These are real, well documented, and typically resolve fully.
Frequently asked
- How dangerous is benzo withdrawal?
- It is one of only two drug withdrawals (alongside alcohol) that can be directly fatal. Seizures can occur even weeks into a taper.
- Can I taper myself?
- Only under a prescriber's supervision. Self-tapering without medical support has a high failure and complication rate.
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