Sedative Addiction Treatment

Are sedatives becoming a problem?

“Sedatives” are a class of drugs that include barbiturates and benzodiazepines. These drugs target the central nervous system, creating a feeling of analgesia (pain relief). In fact, most sedatives are medically prescribed for pain relief, anxiety, sleep problems, or seizures. But if you take any of these drugs recreationally or in doses other than prescribed by your physician – you risk developing addiction.

So what do you do when using drugs for fun becomes a habit that you can’t quit? What happens when the fun runs out?

We explore your options for treatment here. Plus, we’ll advise you on how to identify signs of a problem. Finally, we suggest how family and loved ones can help when you notice that drug use has gone overboard. More here, with a section at the end for your questions. We try to answer all questions that are left in the comments section!

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Are sedatives taking over your life?
Do you find it difficult to quit?
Do not be scared! Addiction is a complex but treatable disease.
Call us at 1-877-620-8417.
Our services are FREE and your PRIVACY is GUARANTEED.

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Are Sedatives Addictive?

Yes. Sedatives are highly addictive drugs.

Even if you take them under doctor’s guidance, long-term sedative use might trigger dependence and addiction.

Addiction to sedatives most commonly occurs when you use these meds:

a) Non-medically
b) In larger doses than prescribed.
c) Repeatedly for a prolonged period of time.

Some individuals abuse sedatives as a way to regulate the crash felt from other stimulants. This type of abuse can lead to the development of stimulant and sedative addition and make treatment even more complicated.

NOTE THIS: Addiction is a medical condition. It is treated medically.

Sedative Addiction Symptoms

How can you know when drug use has turned into a dangerous compulsive habit? There are three main signs of any addiction. You can remember them as the 3 C’s:

1. Loss of CONTROL of drug use
2. CRAVINGS or COMPULSION to use
3. CONTINUED use despite negative consequences.

However, there are many diagnose-able signs of addiction, including physical symptoms or behaviors. Check out the following. Are you:

• Cutting back on social or recreational activities because of sedative use?
• Doing (illegal) things to get sedatives that you normally wouldn’t do?
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence?
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking sedatives?
• Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using sedatives?
• Getting behind on work responsibilities and deadlines
• Having multiple sedative suppliers?
• Having strong urges for sedatives?
• Increasing your sedative dose to get the same effect>
• Need to use sedatives regularly (several times a day)?
• Trying but failing to stop using sedatives?

If you noticed these changes in your behavior recently, medical assistance can help. We can help you find the medical treatment that you need. Just dial 1-877-620-8417. A compassionate, understand operator is on the other side of the phone 24-7 waiting to speak with you.

Safely Breaking Free

Denial is a common issue that people come up against. Sometimes, reality is just too painful to bear. Denial often comes in the form of:

• Knowing about but ignoring a drug problem
• Refusing to admit that you need help
• Not even seeing how much a drug is hurting you

While denial is a helpful defense mechanism in some situations, it does not need to get in the way of your recovery. Be honest with yourself. Let down your guard…and admit the truth. It’s easy to neglect your own care when your thought and perceptions are altered by addiction. But you deserve to live a life that is happy and satisfying!

Sedatives are not the only way to cope your dissatisfaction and pain. Call us 1-877-620-8417 to find a treatment program to become drug-free. Like the millions of people living in recovery, you can learn to resolve stressful and challenging life situations without the need to use sedatives.

What’s The Safest Way To Quit Sedatives?

The safest way to cut down on any drug – espeically sedatives – is by seeking medical treatment. Withdrawal from sedatives can be dangerous. In fact, the detox process requires medical supervision.

Withdrawal symptoms from drugs like benzos or barbituates occur as a result of physical dependence developed over time. When you take sedatives, the brain adapts after a few weeks. It generally “speeds up” some functions and processes in the body to compensate for the “slowing down” caused by these drugs. So, when you remove the drug from the system, it takes some time for the body to rebalance. In fact, withdrawal is actually the manifestation of the “speeded up” functions, which usually resolve over the period of weeks or month.

These symptoms usually include:

• anxiety
• elevated blood pressure
• faster breathing
• inability to sleep
• increased body temperature
• increased heart rate
• nausea
• restlessness
• shaky hands
• sweating

Additionally, some people experience seizures during sedative detox. If withdrawal becomes complicated, you might also have visual or auditory hallucinations. While those who experience these severe symptoms are usually mixing sedatives with other drugs, you should always seek medical supervision during sedative detox.

Don’t let sedatives ruin your life. Find out how to get into detox, rehab, or counseling. Call 1-877-620-8417.

Your Treatment Options

Before you enroll in a treatment program, always compare the compatibility of offered services with your needs. Do you need to make a fresh start somewhere new? Can you benefit from medical intervention during treatment? What about supervision to reduce risks of relapse?

Make sure to explore your treatment options carefully. See what various treatment facilities offer, and then determine what works best for you. To find a suitable program call us 1-877-620-8417. We are at your disposal day or night.

Furthermore, a single treatment approach does not apply to each addiction case. In order for your treatment to work, look for a specialized program that will cover all the issues that lead to addiction (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual). These are two main treatment settings offered across the U.S.

OPTION 1: Inpatient treatment for sedative addiction provides live-in services to those who need intensive care, safe surrounding, and medical and emotional support. People with a long history of drug use or those who have tried but failed to reach sobriety can highly benefit from residential treatment. Expect to spend from 28 days up to 6 (six) months in residency working on issues behind addiction. Also, expect a strong routine with daily meal times, exercise, and therapy built into the day.

OPTION 2: Outpatient treatment for sedative addiction usually require 10-12 hours a week presence at treatment sessions. Outpatient sessions focus on education about the harmful effects of sedative abuse and teaching you alternative ways to cope with daily stressors. These programs are mainly recommended to those with milder cases of addiction and to those who can’t completely abandon their work, school and/or family responsibilities. Typical sedative outpatient addiction programs last 3-6 months but they can sometimes take even a year.

Therapies included in your treatment

Treatment programs for addiction usually provide the following core services:

• Detox
• Drug counselling
• Drug testing
• Individual and group psychotherapy
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Support group introduction

What Types of Co-occurring Disorders Exist?

Addiction to sedatives can negatively impact your mental health. At the same time, those suffering from a metal heath disorder, or a personality disorders are about twice as likely to use and abuse sedatives and other psychoactive substances. One of the most common underlying reasons why people turn to sedatives is because they are self-medicating:

• Depression
• Lack of self-esteem
• Social anxiety

When addiction is associated with, aggravating or causing mental health problems, then it is a part of a dual diagnosis and an appropriate treatment program is required. Being diagnosed with two disorders does not mean your condition is untreatable. On the contrary, the right course of treatment combined with strong support network and continued care can lead you to successfully recovery. Therapies used during dual diagnoses are:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Individual Psychotherapy (IP)
• Integrated Group Therapy (IGT)
• Medication Therapy (MT)

Dual Diagnosis Treatment 

People diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders (the clinical definition of addiction) often deal with depression, anxiety, personality, or mood disorders. Sedative addiction and mental disorders deserve equal medical attention and treatment. To achieve a full recovery, your treatment program should include:

• An encouraging approach to therapy oriented towards teaching you how to build self-esteem and self-confidence.
• An inclusive approach that motivates the whole family to participate individual counselling, group meetings, and educational sessions.
• Parallel treatment of your mental health and substance use disorders.
• Psychotherapeutic medications (antidepressants and/or anti-anxiety meds).

If you’re battling mental health issues, it helps to find a specialty clinic. To learn more about addiction treatment, CALL US AT 1-877-620-8417. We understand addiction as a medical condition. We can help you get the help that you need.

What Happens When You Call Our Hotline?

When you CALL 1-877-620-8417, our trained support staff will answer your call and listen. Whether you’re feeling scared, angry or confused, our compassionate addiction specialists can help you calm dow and offer further guidance. Our hotlines are free, anonymous, and available 24 hours a day.

Hotline staffers who answer the phone know how to listen. They understand addiction well and will offer strategies and info about services that can best help you. You can talk openly with them about your fears, doubts and concerns. Questions you might be asked include:

Are you in a safe and private place to talk?
Tell me a little about what motivated you to call?
Which drug are you using?
For how long have you been ab(using) sedatives?
How much and how frequently are you using?
Do you mix sedatives with other substances?
Do you have other mental health issues you’re battling?

Basic Treatment Stages

STAGE #1 ASSESSMENT

When you first enter treatment, staff need to determine what you need. This is an interactive stage between you and the treatment center. After assessment, staff  match your needs to treatment modalities they have to offer. During the meeting you will be asked question about:

• the severity of your addiction
• your personal drug use history
• family history of addiction
• medical history
• prescribed medication history
• financial arrangements for treatment

IMPORTANT: Finding the right rehab that best responds to your needs increases the likelihood of sticking with the program through to its end.

STAGE #2 DETOX

If you’ve become physically dependent on sedatives, you’ll undergo a medically monitored detoxification before proceeding to the next stages of treatment. Detox is a procedure during which acute traces of psychoactive substances are removed from the body. In most cases, medication prescriptions are given to ease the withdrawal symptoms. However, since detox does not produce only physical but psychological discomfort as well you’ll attend psychotherapy counselling to help you work through your feelings.

Q: How long does detox from sedatives last?
A: Detox lengths vary based on:

• Your unique body composition and metabolism.
• The length of time you abused sedatives.
• Presence of other medical conditions.

NOTE: Detoxification is generally a safe process when performed by experts in a supervised medical setting. Since detox can sometimes be extremely painful and life threatening – it’s NOT advised to detox from sedatives by yourself or at home.

STAGE #3 THERAPY

Once you are cleared by the detox unit, the next stage is to complete evidence-based treatments for addiction. Main therapies include talk therapy + medication assisted treatments. During this stage, you’ll get to the core reasons behind your addiction. The medications helps stabilize the body and mind so that you can get to the thoughts, beliefs, and emotions that cause you to use drugs. Addressing the issues can help you leave the repeated cycle of addiction without going back.

STAGE #4 AFTERCARE

Completing a treatment program does not end the medical care of addiction. In fact, recovery from sedatives is a lifelong process, which requires your ongoing work and attention. Prior to leaving an addiction treatment program, you and your counselor will create an aftercare plan. This plan includes attendance at supportive groups, follow up sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist, and sober living housing. Aftercare services aim to keep you in contact with the rehab and help you maintain your state of sobriety and well-being. Alumni programs or wellness programs may also be available.

Now that you know what sedative addiction treatment generally entails, you are better prepared for what you can expect. Got more questions? Call today. Call 1-877-620-8417 to determine next steps and live the life that you deserve!

Luxury and Executive Treatment Centers

Are you looking for a rehab that allows you to give attention work obligations while working on addiction? If you are an executive with a dynamic working environment, luxury and executive treatment programs can be the perfect choice for you. Luxury and executive rehabs offer services that go far beyond what is usually found in standard treatment. While these amenities do come with a higher price, many find the extra comforts beneficial on their professional and personal lives.

Most luxury and executive treatment programs include the following features:

• workspaces, meeting rooms, phone and internet access
• discretion and confidentiality
• personalized care due to the lower staff-to-patient ratio
• spa, yoga, and meditation classes
• private trainers
• professional chefs
• larger and more private rooms

If these are the services you are looking for call us at 1-877-620-8417 for help finding the best program for you.

How to Help a Loved One With Sedative Addiction

If you suspect that a loved one is abusing sedatives, you don’t have to wait for them to hit rock bottom to get help. Instead, it is important to seek professional help from a psychotherapist or treatment center.

However, trying to convince someone to enter treatment by force can only increase resistance. As an alternative, invite your loved one to attend therapy with a professional interventionist.In the meantime, you can emphasize personal choice and control. Some examples of what you can say include:

“The decision to make a change lies in your hands.”
“If you do not find a way to deal with this issue no one else can do it for you”.
“I will be there for you and support you during treatment. But you have to do it yourself.”

Additionally, you can encourage your loved one to join a peer support group such as Narcotics Anonymous – N.A. – or SMART REcovery.

REMEMBER: Because you are closely involved and personally affected by your loved one sedative addiction it’s best to invite a professional to mediate during your communication about treatment. Before asking professional help prepare the following information:

Which substance/drug does your loved one abuse?
What other drugs or alcohol do you think he/she is using?
How long do you suspect your loved one has been using sedatives?
How long has your loved showing signs of sedative addiction?
How much can your loved one afford to pay for treatment?
Is insurance an option?
Could you (and/or other close family members) help financially?
Does the addicted individual suffer from any or co-occurring disorders?

Ongoing Treatment and Relapse Prevention

When a formal treatment program is over, you’ll receive a comprehensive aftercare plan that will help you maintain your sobriety and wellbeing. Relapse prevention coaching also takes part of your discharge process. Relapse prevention techniques for sedative addiction should involve:

• addressing pleasant memories of stimulant use
• learning about protective and healthy lifestyle
• relapse prevention skills
• stress-management skills
• training in avoiding high-risk situations

You can receive this ongoing support in the form of support groups, touch-up counseling, and alumni gatherings. These elements will help you stay involved with the sobriety community, and motivate you to continue to work on your recovery.

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Ready to quit sedatives for good?
Call 1-877-620-8417 right now!
We’re waiting to hear from you.

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Reference Sources: NCBI: Prescription Sedative Misuse and Abuse

Mass[dot]GOV: Sedatives and Tranquilizers

NIH: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction

SAMHSA: Treatments for Substance Use Disorders