The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic

As is the case for outpatient alcohol detox, we at The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi are proud of the fact that we are the only facility in the area to offer outpatient detox from benzodiazapines.

Benzodiazapines or benzos, for short, are drugs used to treat anxiety. They are called Anxiolytics or anti-anxiety medications. Benzos can be very addictive. Mixing Benzos with Opiates can be a deadly combination. Examples include the following:

Valium or diazepam
Xanax or alprazolam
Ativan or lorazepam
Klonopin or clonazepam
Serax or oxazepam
Librium or chlordiazepoxide
Tranxene or clorazapate
Halcion or triazolam

A very simplified explanation of what benzos do, is to say that they act essentially the same as alcohol. Benzos are like alcohol, only in pill form. Abusing benzos and abusing alcohol have similar very effects on the brain central nervous system. Taking high doses of benzos over an extended period of time can result in a situation, whereas with like alcohol; if one abruptly stops, the person may have benzodiazepine withdrawal seizures and stop breathing and die.

The Initial Treatment Plan for Benzodiazepine Use Disorder at The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi includes taking a prescription psychiatric medication around the clock over four days. The purpose of that is to reduce withdrawal symptoms AND to prevent a withdrawal seizure.

Preventing a seizure is of utmost importance, as a seizure can result in stopping a person’s breathing. This can cause a stroke or can even be fatal. (To date, none of our patients have ever had a withdrawal seizure from coming off of benzos.)

All patients undergoing outpatient benzo detox need to have someone with them at all times, during the four day period when the patient takes the detox medication. That person must also accompany each new patient to their first appointment, so that the home benzo detox procedure can be carefully explained and reviewed with both the “sitter” and the patient.

During the first appointment for benzo detox, all patients are drug tested to help insure the detox procedure will be safe, as well as to identify any other substance abuse issues. During the detox procedure, the patient is not to drive and must stay at home with the sitter at all times for four days until the treatment is completed. Our physician will be in contact with the patient and the sitter though out the process. Then, the patient returns to the clinic to be checked to insure the treatment has been a success. At the point, plans are made to help the patient avoid taking benzos in the future. In most cases this involves making the psychiatric diagnosis of an Anxiety Disorder and beginning an appropriate treatment to help rid the patient of anxiety without having to take any medications which may be habit forming.

At The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi, we take patient’s privacy very seriously. It is not even possible for anyone to find out you come to our clinic, unless you give us your written permission.  We maintain complete compliance with HIPPA and all laws and statutes regarding patient confidentiality.  Your call is completely confidential.