Substance Abuse Treatment
Benzodiazepine Addiction
A dependency that requires careful, medically supervised treatment.
Understanding This Addiction
Benzodiazepines — medications like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan — are commonly prescribed for anxiety and sleep, and physical dependency can develop even when taken as prescribed, particularly with long-term use. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be medically serious, including risk of seizures, which makes professional, medically supervised treatment essential rather than optional.
Risk Factors
- Long-term prescription use, even when taken as directed
- Combining benzodiazepines with alcohol or opioids
- Untreated anxiety disorders leading to escalating use
- History of substance use disorder with other substances
Signs & Symptoms
- Needing higher doses to achieve the same effect
- Anxiety or panic that returns more intensely between doses
- Withdrawal symptoms — including risk of seizures — when doses are missed or reduced
- Difficulty functioning without the medication
- Using benzodiazepines in ways not prescribed
How We Evaluate It
We conduct a thorough medical evaluation given the serious risks associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal, including a careful review of your current dosing and any history of combining substances, since this significantly affects how treatment needs to be managed.
Our Treatment Approach
Benzodiazepine dependency requires a carefully managed medical taper — this is not a substance that can be safely stopped abruptly, and we prioritize doing this safely.
- Medically supervised tapering, gradually and safely reducing dosage
- Psychiatric evaluation and treatment for the underlying anxiety or sleep condition
- Individual counseling to build coping strategies as medication is reduced
- Close medical monitoring throughout the process
What to Expect
Tapering off benzodiazepines is typically a gradual process measured in weeks to months, not days — rushing this process carries real medical risk, and we prioritize doing it safely over doing it quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just stop taking my benzodiazepine on my own?
No — abrupt discontinuation carries real risk, including seizures. This needs to be done under medical supervision with a careful taper.
I was prescribed this medication legitimately — is this still addiction?
Physical dependency can develop with legitimate, as-prescribed use, and it's treated with the same careful, medical approach regardless of how it started.
What happens to my anxiety once I'm off the medication?
We address the underlying anxiety directly, through psychiatric evaluation and counseling, so you have real tools and, if appropriate, alternative treatment in place as the taper progresses.
Benzodiazepine dependency is common and treatable, but it has to be handled carefully — medical supervision during tapering isn't optional, it's essential for your safety.
Confidential · No Pressure · Coordinated Care
Start today. Walk-ins welcome.
Call us, send a message, or just come by the clinic. Same-day appointments are available, and our team will meet you without judgment.
1010 E McDowell Rd, Suite 410, Phoenix, AZ 85006 · Open until 7 PM Wednesdays