With the way the world has been going lately, it’s not hard to understand why anxiety disorders are reaching all-time highs. With crippling lockdowns and other negative news, many of us have succumbed to negative emotions. For some, it has reached a point where natural means weren’t working anymore, so they sought chemical relief to overcome their symptoms.
At first, it worked. Your anxiety, sleeplessness, or panic attacks seemed to disappear. However, you also liked the feeling that benzodiazepines provided, so you took more and more until it didn’t work anymore. Even though you want to quit, you can’t stop at this point. Now, you need benzodiazepine treatment and detox. Fortunately, if you’re living in Woodbridge Township, we have good news.
Anxiety disorders affect a substantial portion of the population. Nearly 18.1 percent of people in our society struggle with this condition, which is considered the country’s most widespread mental health condition. Even more concerning, doctors have prescribed drugs like Xanax at alarming levels. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates 92 million benzodiazepine prescriptions were dispensed from pharmacies across the United States in 2019.
Xanax was the most common and accounted for 38 percent of all prescriptions, followed by Klonopin with 24 percent, and Ativan with 20 percent. Also concerning is 50 percent of patients who used benzos did so for longer than two months, which is a sure path to addiction. Benzos should not be taken for more than two weeks at a time.
It’s important to mention that, despite their addictive qualities, benzodiazepines are useful medications. They’re vital in treating insomnia, seizures, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social phobias. When used responsibly and as prescribed, they can benefit those who use them. They’re routinely used before medical procedures to relax the patient as well. The dose, frequency, and duration of treatment are solely dependent on the severity of your symptoms at the time.
However, despite their use in the medical community, they have become the subject of severe substance use disorders (SUDs) among those who abuse them. In some cases, benzodiazepines are used alongside opioid pain relievers, illicit drugs, and alcohol to increase their effects.
If you’re living in or around Woodbridge Township in New Jersey, and you recognize the importance of benzodiazepine treatment and detox to end this potentially deadly affliction, it’s time to learn more about what you can expect and the help you’ll get. Although benzodiazepines are prescribed by a doctor, their detox is considered among the most dangerous of any drug. For that reason, seeking the proper care to guide you is the difference between life and death.
How Do Benzodiazepines Work?
Benzodiazepines are a safe and effective means of treating severe overactive nervous system conditions. These drugs work by stimulating gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the body, which are naturally occurring transmitters for cognitive and motor functions.
We all possess GABA neurotransmitters, but when you use a benzodiazepine drug, it affects how these natural functions communicate with each other. The result? A sedative effect that provides the individual with a sense of calm they likely couldn’t achieve without it. For those with a real need, their bodies don’t produce enough GABA, so a drug like Xanax or other benzos comes in and induces calm, helping them overcome anxiety or relax their seizure disorders.
Although benzos were created to treat mental disorders, they’ve been at the forefront of misuse and abuse. Experts have sounded the alarm about a potential benzodiazepine crisis similar to the opioid crisis. In 2018 alone, New Jersey experienced 67,367 drug overdoses, equating to 20.7 per 100,000 people. The vast majority of deaths stemmed from opioids. However, benzodiazepines have become more widespread.
Most overdose deaths occur as a result of mixing drugs. For example, using opioids and benzodiazepines together can be a death sentence. If you’ve reached that point where benzodiazepines alone don’t work, and you need opioids, it’s time to get help.
Woodbridge Township Benzodiazepine Statistics
Woodbridge Township, which is part of Middlesex County, New Jersey, has witnessed the unique challenges posed by the addiction crisis. In Middlesex County, there were 206 drug-related deaths in 2019. The state reported 3,021 suspected drug-related deaths in its 21 counties in the same year.
In 2018, the figure was at 3,102, meaning the numbers had slightly dropped. However, these statistics don’t account for 2020, which was a tough year across the United States for overdose deaths. In fact, it was the highest on record. With easier access to benzodiazepine drugs and many people losing their jobs, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that areas like Woodbridge Township are battling these conditions.
The Need for Benzodiazepine Treatment in Woodbridge Township
It may sound a bit harsh, but the longer you abuse benzodiazepines, the more likely you are to become a statistic. For that reason, getting help right away to treat your benzodiazepine use disorder can prevent this eventual reality from occurring.
Detox
Detox from benzodiazepines can be deadly without help. It may sound like an exaggeration, but seizures can be fatal, which is the most likely scenario without help. In medical detox, you’ll receive round-the-clock care from medical professionals who administer medication to help prevent seizures. Even if they do, you’re under professional medical care, meaning you have immediate access to care. Detox could last from three to seven days or more if the case is severe and will set you up for the next level of treatment.
Inpatient/Residential
Once you’re stabilized and well past the dangerous window where withdrawal symptoms can occur, you’ll move into the next stage of care. Depending on the severity of the addiction, it could mean you’ll be placed into a residential treatment setting. During an inpatient stay, you’ll live on-site for a period of up to 90 days or more, depending on the severity of your addiction.
If you have a history of relapse or been abusing the drug for years, it’ll be your best option. Living on-site puts you in contact with peers in the same shoes as you and removes you from potential triggers or contacts that could cause you to relapse. Detox is important, but it’s not enough to get to the root of your addiction.
Aftercare
Once you’ve completed detox and a stint in an inpatient facility, the journey has just begun. Although you’re equipped with newfound knowledge and tools to manage your addiction and avoid relapse, they haven’t been tested in the real world. For that reason, staying in touch with alumni and attending 12-step programs is vital to balance your new life with the comforts of treatment.
Serenity at Summit will help you find 12-step programs in your area and connect you with fellow alumni to simplify this process and help you maintain your sobriety.
Benzodiazepine Treatment in Woodbridge Township FAQ
Once you’ve made the decision to get help, we know it can be a frightening time for you. However, we want to make sure all your questions are answered to make this process as smooth as possible. Below is a list of the most common questions we receive.
How Long Is Rehab?
This is a tough question to answer because of the variables involved. When a person enters treatment, we take all of their unique needs into consideration. For example, one person may require more extensive detox because they’ve been abusing heroin and benzodiazepines, while another person was using benzodiazepines as prescribed and slipped. The treatment process typically lasts 90 days but could be longer or shorter depending on the case.
Does Serenity at Summit Provide Transportation?
Yes. However, you must speak with our intake coordinators before your arrival to arrange this. We’ll provide transportation to and from the airport, as well as off-site appointments.
How Much Does Benzodiazepine Treatment Cost?
Each case is unique and will be treated as such. For that reason, we cannot provide a definitive figure. If you’re in treatment for 90 days, it’ll cost more than someone who requires less time. However, your insurance plan could cover more than someone who attends treatment for 45 days. For that reason, the cost varies.
What Insurance Carriers Does Serenity at Summit Accept?
We accept most insurance carriers, including the following:
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Beacon (Value Options)
- Compsych
