Benzo Addiction in Kansas: Understanding Risks and Finding Recovery

Find Recovery from Benzodiazepine Addiction

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan help millions of people manage anxiety, panic disorders, and sleep problems. However, what starts as legitimate medical treatment can quickly turn into something much more dangerous.

Benzo addiction has become a growing concern across Kansas and the greater Midwest. These medications, while effective for short-term use, can create physical dependence faster than most people realize.

At Arista Recovery, we see families struggling with benzo addiction every day. The good news? Recovery is possible with the right support and treatment approach, and our Paola and Overland Park locations are here to help you heal every step of the way.

What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are prescription medications that slow down your central nervous system to help you feel calm and relaxed.

These medications work by boosting a brain chemical called GABA. Think of GABA as your brain's natural "brake pedal" – it helps slow down racing thoughts and anxious feelings.¹‍

When benzos enhance GABA activity, you feel more relaxed and less anxious, which is exactly why they're so effective for treating anxiety disorders. However, it's also why benzo addiction can develop so quickly, as your brain starts relying on the medication to feel “normal.”

Additionally, it’s important to know that mixing benzos with alcohol or other drugs is especially dangerous. This combination can slow your breathing and heart rate to life-threatening levels.²

Additional Risks of Benzodiazepines

Benzo addiction carries serious risks that go beyond just feeling dependent on medication, including: 

• Long-term benzo use can cause memory issues, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people describe feeling like they're in a mental fog.³
• Chronic benzo addiction can lead to coordination problems, increased fall risk, and weakened immune function.⁴
• The cognitive effects of benzo addiction can make it hard to focus at work or school, leading to job loss or academic failure.

These risks highlight why getting help for benzo addiction is so important – the longer someone waits, the more damage occurs.

Recognizing the Signs of Benzo Addiction

Early recognition of benzo addiction can make an imperative difference in treatment outcomes. Here are some common symptoms of benzodiazepine substance use disorder (SUD) and what to watch for:

• Constant drowsiness or sedation
• Blurred vision and slurred speech
• Visiting multiple doctors for prescriptions
• Being secretive about medication use
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Increased anxiety when medication wears off
• Mood swings and irritability
• Depression or emotional numbness

If you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one, it's time to seek professional help. 

Benzo Withdrawal: Why Medical Detox Is Critical

It’s often imperative for those struggling with benzo addiction to seek professional guidance in the healing process, as withdrawal can be life-threatening without proper medical supervision.

Some common withdrawal symptoms include:⁵‍

• Seizures (potentially fatal)
• Severe anxiety and panic attacks
• Insomnia and nightmares
• Muscle spasms and tremors
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion and memory problems

The safest approach involves gradual tapering under medical supervision. This means slowly reducing the dose over weeks or months to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Detox and Care at Arista Recovery

At our Paola facility, Arista Recovery provides 24/7 medical supervision during benzo detox. Our medical team will carefully monitor your vital signs and adjust medications to keep you or your loved one safe and comfortable during the process.

Trying to quit benzos "cold turkey" at home is extremely dangerous – professional medical detox gives you the best chance of safe, successful withdrawal that sets the stage for long-term healing.

Co-Occurring Conditions and Dual Diagnosis

Benzo addiction rarely happens in isolation. Many people struggling with benzo addiction also have underlying mental health conditions.

Some of these common co-occurring disorders include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Panic disorder

Dual diagnosis creates a challenging cycle – many people start utilizing benzos to manage anxiety or depression symptoms, but long-term benzo addiction can actually make these conditions worse.

The Importance of Integrated Care

You can't successfully treat benzo addiction without also addressing the underlying mental health issues, which is why integrated care during recovery is so important. 

At Arista Recovery, our dual diagnosis program at our Paola and Overland Park locations treats both addiction and mental health conditions simultaneously. This integrated approach gives people the best chance of lasting recovery.

Our clinical team includes psychiatrists, therapists, and addiction specialists who work together to create personalized treatment plans that address each and every one of your needs during recovery.

Treatment Options for Benzo Addiction at Arista Recovery

Recovery from benzo addiction requires specialized care that addresses both the physical dependence and psychological aspects of addiction.

We offer the following rehab and recovery options at Arista Recovery:

Medical Detox

Our medical detox program at our Paola location provides safe, supervised withdrawal from benzodiazepines. Our medical team uses evidence-based protocols to gradually taper medications while managing withdrawal symptoms.

Your recovery begins now with the proper medical support, and our team is here to make sure you don’t have to go through this process alone. 

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Our residential program offers 24/7 support in a peaceful, healing environment. Clients live on our 40-acre campus while participating in individual therapy, group sessions, and innovative treatments.

Our evidence-based care delivered with heart includes some of the following therapies:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Trauma-focused therapy
• Equine therapy
• Art therapy
• Horticulture therapy

Outpatient Programs

Our Overland Park location offers both an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a partial hospitalization program (PHP). These flexible options allow people to receive treatment while maintaining work or family responsibilities.

Family Integration

You don't recover alone, and neither should your loved ones. Our family program educates and supports family members throughout the recovery process.

Family therapy helps heal relationships that have been damaged by addiction. We also provide education about benzodiazepines and recovery to help families understand what their loved one is going through.

Relapse Risks and Long-Term Recovery Planning

Benzo addiction has a high relapse rate, with studies showing 42.6% of people return to use within two years.⁶ 

However, this doesn't mean recovery is impossible. Creating an aftercare plan can help you manage triggers or other potential setbacks in a safe and effective way, ensuring your recovery is on the best path it can be.

What Are Potential Triggers?

Everyone’s journey with benzo addiction is different, meaning their triggers will be different as well. However, some common relapse triggers may include:

• Stress and anxiety
• Untreated mental health symptoms
• Social isolation
• Exposure to triggers
• Lack of coping skills

If you or a loved one struggle with any of these, know that a relapse prevention and aftercare plan can help. We may utilize ongoing therapy and counseling, peer support groups, and stress management techniques to help you deal with these triggers in a constructive way.

At Arista Recovery, we work with each client to develop a personalized relapse prevention plan. Our alumni program also provides ongoing support after treatment ends. Recovery is a lifelong journey, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Supporting a Loved One With Benzo Addiction

Watching someone you love struggle with benzo addiction is heartbreaking, but there are multiple ways to help while protecting your own well-being.

How to Support Someone in Recovery

Some of the best methods for supporting a loved one who is going through benzo addiction include:

• Approach with compassion, not judgment: Benzo addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing. Shame and guilt often make addiction worse, so make sure you give your loved one support without judging. 
• Set healthy boundaries. You can offer support without enabling addictive behaviors. This might mean not giving money or making excuses for their behavior.
• Encourage professional treatment. Benzo addiction requires specialized medical care, and home detox attempts can be dangerous or even fatal. Encouraging more intensive care can be lifesaving. 
• Take care of yourself. Addiction affects the whole family. Consider counseling or support groups for family members.
• Learn about the condition. Understanding benzo addiction helps you provide better support and recognize warning signs of relapse.

At Arista Recovery, we provide family education and therapy throughout the treatment process. We believe healing happens best when families are involved and supported.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

Benzo addiction is a serious medical condition that requires professional treatment, and the risks of untreated addiction are too great to ignore.

However, you don’t have to go through the healing process alone – proper medical care and evidence-based treatment can help you recover from benzo addiction.

At Arista Recovery, we understand the unique challenges of benzo addiction. Our compassionate team provides the medical expertise and emotional support needed for safe, successful recovery.

Types of Treatment at Arista Recovery

Our Paola facility offers medical detox and residential treatment in a peaceful, healing environment, while our Overland Park recovery provides flexible outpatient options for continuing care.

Don't let benzo addiction control your life any longer. Contact Arista Recovery today for a confidential assessment. Our caring team is available 24/7 to answer questions and help you take the first step toward healing.

Your family deserves hope, you deserve recovery – and we're here to help you achieve both.

Resources

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4020178/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482238/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1357612/
4. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.682612/full
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7841856/
6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005796703002985