Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts | NorthStar Recovery Center

Understanding Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are drugs that interact with the central nervous system (CNS). When the drug binds to receptors in the brain, it causes a depressant reaction in the CNS. This causes physiological changes such as decreased heart rate and blood pressure, resulting in feeling calm and relaxed. Benzodiazepines also impact cells that inhibit dopamine release, leaving the body flooded with dopamine at higher-than-normal levels, creating a euphoric effect. 

These impacts make benzodiazepines highly effective for their specific use. When used as prescribed, they are highly effective in helping individuals to manage seizures, anxiety, and more. However, they are commonly over-prescribed, used in unprescribed ways, and used illegally. As a result, benzodiazepine addiction is a common issue that can derail a person’s life. 

How Benzodiazepine Addiction Develops

Addiction is a disease that impacts the brain, leading clients to continually seek out substances and prioritize them over everything else in their lives. However, every substance uniquely impacts the brain and body, and therefore, addiction develops differently. 

Benzodiazepine addiction develops as a result of the interaction in the dopamine systems. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that communicates between nerve cells in the body. It is integral in the pleasure-seeking part of the brain and naturally guides individuals to seek things that are healthy and positive for them, such as food, shelter, and human connection. 

However, when clients abuse benzodiazepines, they release abnormally high levels of dopamine. The result is that they feel pleasure and euphoria. Over time, the dopamine, or pleasure-seeking, system is altered and becomes reliant on the drug to feel good. This dependency causes withdrawal symptoms to occur and ultimately leads clients to struggle with addiction. 

The Dangers of Benzodiazepine Addiction

While benzodiazepines have a calming effect, addiction is serious and dangerous. Clients struggling with benzodiazepine dependence experience a variety of challenging physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. As a result, client’s lives are altered, and they often struggle to connect with loved ones, be successful at work or school, and care for their own well-being. 

Signs and symptoms of benzodiazepine addiction are unique to each person. However, common signs and symptoms include:

• Wanting to cut back on benzo use but unable to 
• Doctor shopping for more prescription 
• Using benzos in secret 
• Poor judgment and difficulty thinking
• Drowsiness 
• Changes in mood 
• Behavioral or activity changes 
• Increase in high-risk behaviors 
• Lying about benzo use
• Physical weakness
• Changes in vision 

Risks of Self-Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms

Benzo addiction impacts the brain and body, causing an individual to seek out more drugs and increase the dosage over time. Part of this behavior is driven by withdrawal symptoms that occur once an individual is dependent on a drug. Individuals who use benzos for more than three to four weeks are likely to have some symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines include:

• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability or agitation 
• Panic attacks or anxiety
• Tremors
• Sweating 
• Headaches or muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Heart palpitations 
• Weight loss
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating 

The specific symptoms and severity of the symptoms experienced vary for each individual. However, withdrawal symptoms can be more than simply uncomfortable. Many of these symptoms can develop in severity and require medical attention as a result. This is why self-detox is not a good option for benzo addiction. Getting help from qualified professionals who protect a client’s health and safety is the only way to heal from benzodiazepine dependence safely. 

Why Choose NorthStar Recovery Center for Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment?

If you or someone you love is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, getting help is vital. At NorthStar Recovery Center, we offer benzo addiction treatment in Massachusetts that is effective and helps clients get their lives back on track. Through individualized treatment plans, evidence-based therapies, and a supportive community, clients recover from addiction and rebuild their lives. 

Individualized Treatment Plans

At NorthStar Recovery Center, we know that every client we meet is unique. This includes the story behind their challenges with mental health and substance use disorder, effective treatments, and more. As a result, we know that offering cookie-cutter-type treatment is not effective. Therefore, we offer individualized treatment plans that take our client’s needs into consideration. In addition, our treatment plans are adjusted throughout treatment, ensuring that the client’s needs are met as they change. 

Evidence-Based Therapies for Benzo Addiction

Recovering from benzo addiction is a process that requires many different treatment avenues. First, it is important for clients to heal from their physical dependency. Secondly, clients must address underlying causes and behaviors that have contributed to their struggle with substance abuse. 

At NothStar Recovery Center, we offer multiple different evidenced-based therapies that help clients who are struggling with benzodiazepine addiction or a dual diagnosis, the combination of mental health challenges with addiction. Evidence-based therapies that we find effective in recovery include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
• 12-Step programs and alumni support

Experienced and Compassionate Team of Professionals

When a client is struggling with addiction or a dual diagnosis, they slowly shut themselves off from others, causing isolation. Isolation, however, increases the challenges of addiction and inhibits recovery. At NorthStar Recovery Center, we offer an experienced and compassionate team of professionals who help clients get the support and care they need. Even in the darkest places, our team can provide a guiding light to recovery. 

Treatment Modalities for Benzodiazepine Addiction at NorthStar Recovery Center

At NorthStar Recovery Center, our treatment programs are offered on multiple levels of care because we strive to offer options that fit our client’s needs. These levels of care provide unique levels of support and structure to clients. Clients can move between the levels of care as needed, ensuring that they can smoothly transition to recovery. 

The road to recovering from benzo addiction often starts with detox. Detox is the beginning of healing physically and helps clients manage their withdrawal symptoms and emerge from the physical effects of the drug. However, for treatment to be successful, clients must undergo treatment for substance use disorder. For example, behavioral therapies like DBT or CBT help clients to recognize their behavioral patterns and make different choices. MET offers the opportunity for clients to explore ambivalence and discover deep motivators to make real changes in their lives. 

Day Treatment Programs (Partial Hospitalization)

At NorthStar Recovery Center, our more structured treatment level is our day treatment program. In an outpatient program, clients do not stay on the premises but either live at home or in a sober living facility. However, the program offers daily structure and support. Clients are expected to attend treatment daily and receive a high level of structure and accountability. 

In our day treatment programs, we offer medication-assisted treatment, which helps clients stop using benzos. This type of treatment is offered only in Day Treatment Programs as it is vital that clients do not abuse medication that is meant to help them heal. 

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

The next level of care at NorthStar Recovery Center is our intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Our IOP is also an outpatient program. However, compared to day treatment programs, IOP offers less structure and more flexibility. Therefore, while clients receive support, they are able to adjust their treatment schedule in a manner that fits their unique needs around their home and professional lives.

IOP is an ideal choice for clients who are struggling with addiction but need more flexibility and less structure. For many, IOP is a step down from our day treatment programs, offering continued care and support as clients begin to reintegrate into their lives. 

Virtual Outpatient Programs

At NorthStar Recovery Center, we know that there are limited options for benzo addiction treatment in Massachusetts. Therefore, we offer virtual outpatient programs. These programs are available from the comfort of a client’s home. Clients participate in multiple different types of treatment and are provided with a structured care plan that can be implemented virtually.

The Importance of Aftercare and Relapse Prevention for Benzo Addiction

Recovery from benzo addiction takes time. With support and treatment, however, clients can heal physically and learn skills that protect them from relapse. At NorthStar Recovery Center, it is our goal to provide as much support and care as possible to ensure that clients are successful. Therefore, we offer a robust aftercare program and relapse prevention care in treatment. 

Our aftercare program includes peer support groups and aftercare events. Clients are encouraged to stay in touch, connect with peers, and reach out when in need. Even after treatment, if clients find themselves in a dark place, we offer to be the light that helps them maintain their recovery. Within treatment, clients are supported in building relapse prevention tools as part of benzo addiction treatment. This includes methods of dealing with stress and triggers and paths they can follow when they feel cravings. 

In our benzo addiction treatment programs, we strive to help clients successfully recover. Therefore, our treatment programs focus on addressing clients’ immediate needs and building skills for their future. We know that clients can change and provide the support they need to meet their recovery goals long-term. 

Family Involvement in Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

When a client is addicted to benzodiazepines, they impact themselves and those who surround them, their family. However, families also impact the individuals who are struggling with addiction. At NorthStar Recovery Center, we offer family involvement as a way for the whole family to heal and to offer additional support for clients. Family involvement is focused on the client, helping families to heal and know how they can care for their loved ones on the road to recovery. 

Start Your Recovery Journey at NorthStar Recovery Center

Benzo addiction is a disease that requires treatment. At NorhtStar Recovery Center, we offer benzo addiction treatment that can effectively help you or your loved one to heal. To start the journey, you only need to take the first step. 

Take the step and reach out today. Call us at (888) 546-8676 to learn how we can help you recover from benzo addiction.