If you feel like you’re losing control, you don’t have to manage this alone.
What Are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Klonopin, are often prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia. While helpful when used as directed, they’re highly addictive and can lead to dependence when misused. Many people begin using these medications for legitimate reasons and still end up struggling with addiction, and misusing benzos, especially combined with alcohol or opioids, significantly increases overdose risk.
Common Benzodiazepines
- Xanax (alprazolam) — prescribed for anxiety and panic attacks, highly addictive.
- Ativan (lorazepam) — prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, dependence can develop with prolonged use.
- Valium (diazepam) — prescribed for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.
- Klonopin (clonazepam) — prescribed for panic attacks and anxiety.
- Librium (chlordiazepoxide) — prescribed for alcohol withdrawal and anxiety.
- Restoril (temazepam) — prescribed for short-term sleep issues.
- Halcion (triazolam) — prescribed for short-term insomnia.
Signs and Symptoms of Benzodiazepine Addiction
- Needing more of the medication to feel the same effect
- Constant cravings
- Withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, sleeplessness, sweating, or shaking
- Taking more than prescribed
- Mood swings
- Feeling overly tired or sedated
- Risky behavior, like mixing benzos with alcohol or opioids
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Withdrawing from social activities
What the Research Shows
Women are prescribed benzodiazepines at roughly twice the rate of men, which contributes to a higher dependence risk among women specifically. Nationally, an estimated 30.6 million adults, about 12.6%, report past-year benzodiazepine use, the large majority of it, roughly 25.3 million people, as prescribed, with an estimated 5.3 million people misusing them. In one Massachusetts-based study, 20% of respondents reported any benzodiazepine use in the past year, and 13% reported using at least weekly.
Benzodiazepine Treatment Options and Levels of Care at GBAC
Medically Supervised Taper
Benzodiazepines generally need to be reduced gradually rather than stopped outright, because sudden withdrawal carries a real seizure risk. We refer clients to a partner provider for a medically supervised taper before starting treatment with us.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Day treatment, roughly 20–30 hours of programming a week, for people who need more support than weekly therapy but don’t need to live at a treatment center.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
Roughly 9–20 hours of weekly programming, including an evening option, designed to fit around work, school, and family.
Outpatient and Aftercare
Standard outpatient suits people who are stable or stepping down from a higher level of care. Aftercare includes ongoing counseling, peer support, and a plan for managing anxiety or sleep issues without the medication.
Therapy Options for Benzodiazepine Addiction
Treatment typically draws on CBT, DBT, group therapy, family therapy, individual psychotherapy, and relapse prevention therapy, applied to the anxiety, sleep issues, or trauma the medication may have been covering.
How to Choose the Right Level of Care
Our admissions team weighs how long you’ve used benzodiazepines, your dose, any past withdrawal history, other substance use, and what the medication was originally treating, to recommend a safe starting point.
What Happens When You Contact GBAC
A confidential first call covers your history with the medication, any withdrawal risk, and your living situation. From there, next steps typically include a referral for a supervised taper and insurance verification.
Does Insurance Cover Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, network rules, and prior authorization vary by plan. We work with most major insurers and verify your benefits and expected costs for free; checking doesn’t commit you to treatment.
Talk to Someone Who Can Help You Take the Next Step
We’re in Needham, MA, serving Boston, Dedham, Newton, Waltham, Wellesley, West Roxbury, Dorchester, and nearby communities. Call (877) 920-6583 for a free, confidential conversation, or verify your insurance online — neither one commits you to anything.
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of stopping benzodiazepines suddenly?
Stopping suddenly can cause severe anxiety, sleeplessness, sweating, shaking, and other life-threatening complications, including seizures, which is why a medically supervised taper is recommended rather than quitting on your own.
How long does benzo withdrawal last?
It varies by medication, dose, and how long you've used it, but withdrawal commonly unfolds over days to weeks. A gradual, supervised taper is the safest way through it.
Do clients from Dedham and West Roxbury attend GBAC for benzo treatment?
Yes. We're based in Needham, MA, and see clients from across the area, including Dedham, West Roxbury, Newton, and Boston.
What therapies help with benzodiazepine addiction?
CBT, DBT, group therapy, family therapy, individual psychotherapy, and relapse prevention therapy are common parts of treatment, often alongside care for the anxiety or sleep issues the medication was originally treating.
Does insurance cover benzodiazepine treatment in Massachusetts?
Many private plans cover medically necessary treatment, though deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and authorization requirements vary by plan. We verify your benefits for free before you commit to anything.