Various pill packs symbolizing drug addiction challenges

Benzodiazepine Detox Explained: A Complete Guide

John Last updated: June 4, 2025

Benzodiazepines are most commonly prescribed for anxiety conditions, especially panic disorder (PD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Benzodiazepine medications are also sometimes prescribed for seizure disorders. Klonopin, for example, is often prescribed for epilepsy. Benzodiazepines are also prescribed for insomnia and other sleep problems, such as restless leg syndrome (RLS). Additionally, they are occasionally prescribed as muscle relaxants.

Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are a large family of prescription drugs.

The most common benzodiazepines

These are all highly addictive sedatives, with which it is very easy for dependence to grow. If you have gained a benzodiazepines addiction, you are not alone. We see regularly increasing numbers of benzo detox admissions to our detox clinics all over the UK.

Common benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms

  • Racing heartbeat
  • Irritability and Anxiety
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Severe Muscle and Joint Pain
  • Depression
  • A migraine
  • Numbness
  • Psychosis
  • Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhoea
  • Extreme Fluctuations in Blood Pressure
  • Convulsions
  • Memory loss
  • Irrational Fear
  • Paranoia
  • Nightmares
  • Psychosis

It is extremely important that you get the right medical help while withdrawing from any of the benzo family. This will aid your benzo detox, making it more comfortable, relieving you of pain and helping with symptoms.

The best benzo detox centres in the UK are staffed with medical experts that will put your safety and comfort first. They will be trained to identify your specific addiction profile and be equipped to administer a pain-free Benzo detox in a comfortable therapeutic environment. The best benzo detox clinics will be able to provide round-the-clock care. Your benzo detox will start with a thorough physical and mental examination, this will determine what, if any, pain medications can be used during your benzo detox.

Post-detox maintenance

As you are probably aware, your Benzo detox is merely the first step in getting your health and life back to normal. The best clinic for benzo detox will help you build coping mechanisms and provide you with tools to help with the mental and emotional problems that will need to be addressed as you start your recovery journey. The best detox clinics will also offer an in-depth psychiatric evaluation to address the circumstances that initially led to your addiction. It can be incredibly difficult when returning to your old life to “just say no”, so it is important that your benzo detox includes working with you to develop the skills as you make the transition to a life free from your reliance.

About the author

Article author

John

John’s has dedicated his life to finding treatment for those with addictions and supporting their families. A business manager for 20 years in the construction industry John’s own experience of addiction led him to found his own rehab centre group in Scotland. John qualified as a counsellor for people with substance misuse during his time working as a therapist and manager for the foundation. He also trained as an interventionist and appeared on ITV as a consultant helping families impacted by addiction. He has helped thousands of people in recovery and his knowledge of the rehabilitations process and the addiction experience is unparalleled.

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