Benzodiazepine use can produce over 150 symptoms. These are commonly divided into direct undesirable effects (often called “side effects”) and induced symptoms, including withdrawal and BIND symptoms.
It is possible to alleviate some of the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal and BIND. If you or a loved one are navigating the challenging process of withdrawing from benzos, it is important to remember that you’re not alone and that others have gone through the same daily challenges.There are distinct complexities for each person’s unique and often-changing symptoms. We are here to provide you with expert guidance, evidence-based strategies, and direct you toward compassionate communities to support you every step of the way.
Please note that the suggestions listed here do not work for everyone, and some work only temporarily.
The following links are listed as “alternatives”, but work for symptomatic relief as well.
Anxiolysis Alternatives
There are a number of effective, safe non-benzodiazepine approaches used to reduce anxiety, i.e., anxiolysis. Situational anxiety, such as that seen with grief reactions, should be treated with psychotherapy, if needed. There are two primary ways of treating anxiety:
1) Through self-administered alternatives to reduce anxiety
2) Through professionally-administered non-pharmacological alternatives to benzodiazepines and z-drugs.
Pharmacologic alternatives to benzodiazepines and Z-drugs
The third group of treatments consists of non-benzodiazepine pharmacological agents.Different studies in the literature show these to have varying degrees of effectiveness. This is not surprising, given the very individual nature of withdrawal and BIND symptoms experienced. Most of these treatments are available only through prescription. Your care provider may not be aware of some of these alternatives.
Alternatives for insomnia relief
Sleep can often be vastly improved by “natural methods”, which generally require active patient participation. Several pharmacological alternatives are also available for the treatment of insomnia.
Alternative Muscle Relaxants
Several natural remedies are available to relieve muscle spasms, including using chamomile tea, cranberry juice, vitamin D, and magnesium. While rigorous study of these remedies is generally lacking, they are safe and many patients report symptomatic relief. There are also many pharmaceutical alternatives to benzodiazepines, notably the spasmolytics and neuromuscular blockers. These pharmaceutical alternative treatments are available only through prescription.