Highlights

Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs that cause addiction when used in doses longer than intended, but professional help is available.
Licensed addiction professionals in NC may treat benzodiazepine addiction in IOP and PHP settings.
The best way to treat prescription drug addiction is to seek benzodiazepine rehab in Wilmington, NC under medical supervision.
Psychotherapies, including CBT and DBT, may help to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms associated with continuous sedative use.
Empower Health Group of North Carolina offers affordable in-person or virtual rehab for benzo addiction, along with behavioral therapies and aftercare relapse support.
We are proud to welcome clients visiting us from Wilmington, throughout North Carolina, and across the United States.

Were you prescribed Xanax, diazepam or another drug for your anxiety, but got addicted to them after prolonged use? Or did you start using benzodiazepines to feel emotionally stable on your own and now can not stop? The best way to deal with this is to seek professional help and search for ‘Benzo addiction help near me in NC’. Benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence, misuse, and benzodiazepine use disorder, even when taken as prescribed. Professional treatment can help people safely reduce or stop benzodiazepine use. Here’s what you’ll get at Empower Health Group of North Carolina:

Benzodiazepine tapering for drug withdrawal
Dual diagnosis to tackle sedative use and mental health disorders
Aftercare support to prevent the risk of relapse to benzodiazepines

Using prescription drugs frequently and searching for benzo rehab in Wilmington? EHG of NC welcomes people from Wilmington and nearby areas to get affordable benzo abuse treatment. Call us at 910-335-9102 to visit us at 2106 South 17th Street to start your addiction recovery.

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Table of Contents

What Are Benzodiazepines and How Does Addiction Develop?

Benzodiazepines, also referred to as benzos, downers, or minor tranquilizers, are a group of central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs, often used to treat ¹:

Alcohol withdrawal (e.g., chlordiazepoxide)
Panic disorders (e.g., alprazolam, clonazepam)
Anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam)
Seizures (e.g., diazepam, clonazepam)
Muscle spasms (e.g., diazepam)

When these drugs are consumed above their normal prescribed doses, they cause addiction.

Do Rehabs Treat Benzodiazepine Addiction in Wilmington?

Yes, most behavioral health rehabs or benzodiazepine rehabilitation centers in Wilmington treat addictions to different types of benzos. At EHG of NC, along with benzo use treatment, we treat co-occurring mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression. Before enrollment, check what to bring to rehab in NC.

To break the addiction cycle, individuals may receive our weekly or monthly benzodiazepine treatment in various levels of care, including:

Intensive outpatient program (IOP), such as adult IOP, where individuals receive 3-5 hours of treatment weekly.
Partial hospitalization program (PHP), where individuals receive treatment 5-7 times per week in daytime only.
Specialized treatment program.

At EHG of NC, treatment may include outpatient, IOP, or PHP services when clinically appropriate. Individuals who require a higher level of medical monitoring may need referral to a facility equipped for medically managed withdrawal.

Outpatient Benzo Addiction Treatment Programs Offered at EHG of NC

Medical professionals at Empower Health Group of North Carolina offer rehab and dual diagnosis support in intensive outpatient, partial care, and outpatient behavioral health settings:

1. Benzo Tapering

Benzo treatment or tapering down from benzodiazepines means reducing the current dose or switching to a less potent (longer-acting) benzo drug ². Our Licensed addiction professionals may prescribe:

Low-potency SSRIs to reduce withdrawal symptoms
Anti-convulsants to prevent seizures

At a Glance…Benzo Tapering Guidelines & Schedule

As per the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, to treat addiction to benzodiazepines and related drugs, the guideline is ³:

Reduce the dose to 25-30% for high-dose chronic users, then reduce by 5-10% daily or weekly.
For individuals who take therapeutic doses at bedtime, reduce the dose by 25% weekly.
Individuals who take therapeutic doses during the daytime reduce the dose by 10-25%. Then followed by further reductions of 10-25% every 1-2 weeks.

2. Dual Diagnosis Support

Since benzodiazepines are often prescribed to those with anxiety, depression or mental health disorders, addiction might mean the person needs dual diagnosis treatment.

Our treatment programs, such as the dual diagnosis treatment that accepts Aetna, may address:

Intense withdrawal symptoms of co-occurring disorders
Triggers that lead to drug abuse
Redirect addictive behavior patterns to more positive ones

3. Aftercare or Transitional Living Support

Aftercare dual diagnosis to prevent relapse, or our transitional living program, may help with:

Sense of community and accountability from peers
Reduction in benzo relapse risk
Techniques to help with long-term recovery

Get same-day benzo addiction help by visiting us during working hours (9 AM to 5 PM) at 2106 South 17th Street. Schedule a confidential and professional benzodiazepine program to recover from prescription drug addiction.

Should You Choose Outpatient or Inpatient for Benzo Withdrawal?

We offer addiction and co-occurring mental health outpatient programs for benzodiazepine addiction. Individuals can decide between outpatient and inpatient based on several factors:

Outpatient Benzo Withdrawal	Inpatient Benzo Withdrawal
Best for mild to moderate dependence	Best for severe dependence or long-term/high-dose use
Live at home during treatment	Stay at a treatment facility 24/7
Regular medical check-ins	Continuous medical monitoring
Flexible schedule for work and family	Intensive, structured daily care
Lower cost than inpatient care	Higher level of support and supervision
Suitable when withdrawal risk is low	Recommended if seizure risk or complex medical/mental health conditions are present

Therapies Used in Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment

Various behavioral therapy techniques can be used by our addiction therapist to treat benzodiazepine addiction. Our addiction counselor and therapist may offer:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help change unhelpful thoughts, beliefs and actions to develop stress management skills and avoid relapse ⁴.
Individual and group therapy sessions, along with DBT and trauma therapy, may manage trauma and build emotional and behavioral coping skills.

Happy Words From Client Who Traveled from Raleigh to Receive Benzo Addiction Treatment Says,

“I was suffering from depression, and was already undergoing treatment for depression. But the doctor prescribed me alprazolam, and I got addicted to it. My friend from Wilmington asked me to visit a rehab near him, called EHG of NC.

I called the team, and they explained that I have signs of dual diagnosis. After receiving a 30-day benzodiazepine addiction program, I feel much better.”

Can You Recover From Benzodiazepine Addiction?

Our LCAS says,

Your brain and body can recover after using benzodiazepines, but it takes time. These drugs change your brain’s chemistry, affecting the GABA receptors that help calm your nervous system. As a result, your brain needs to rebalance itself.

Here’s a simple recovery timeline:

Days 1-14: Withdrawal starts as the medication leaves your system.
2-4 Weeks: Physical withdrawal symptoms peak and begin to lessen.
1-6 Months: Your sleep, anxiety levels, and GABA system start to return to normal.
1-2 Years: For those who used the drugs long-term, cognitive skills like memory and focus can keep improving and eventually return to normal.

Signs Someone Might Need Treatment For Benzodiazepine Addiction

The DSM-5-TR classifies problematic use of benzodiazepines under Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder. The diagnostic criteria say individuals with benzo addiction must have 2 or more of the following signs ⁵:

Using sedatives in large amounts or for a longer duration.
Desire to reduce sedative use, but failed to control the urge (benzodiazepine dependence).
Spending important time to obtain and use sedatives.
Strong cravings to use the drug.
Neglecting family, work or school because of sedative use.
Continuing to abuse it despite its negative effects on social interaction.
Giving up hobbies and social events.
Using drugs in dangerous situations (such as driving or operating machinery).
Continued use of a drug even after it has harmful physical or psychological consequences.
Having a tolerance to sedatives (need a higher dose to feel the same effect).
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms or needing to use a similar substance to avoid symptoms.

Did you know? Benzodiazepines are strongly associated with amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams.

Benzodiazepine Addiction Statistics in North Carolina

Recent substance use statistics say that more than 284,000 people in North Carolina abuse prescription medications. As per recent NCDHHS Division of Public Health data:

In 2026, there were about 8,552 emergency department visits due to substance overdoses. That is a total rate of 77.4 visits per 100,000 people ⁶.
In 2025, North Carolina had about 2,336 overdose deaths. Thus, the total rate is 21.1 deaths per 100,000 people 6.
In NC, 6% of opioid users frequently used opioids and benzodiazepines for at least 30 days. Also, 14% of people used some benzodiazepine for less than 30 overlapping days (2017-2018) ⁷.

5 Simple Steps To Get Admitted to a Benzodiazepine Rehab in Wilmington NC

The 5 simple steps to start your recovery journey at our rehab are:

Call 910-335-9102 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to speak with our admissions team.
Get a confidential and private substance abuse evaluation.
Discuss the treatment plan for benzodiazepine addiction. (such as Aetna addiction treatment program)
Pay using the self-pay option or verify your insurance provider.
Start your substance abuse treatment.

Note: Before enrolling, check out how many therapy sessions Aetna covers.

Why Consider a Benzodiazepine Treatment Program At Empower Health Group of NC?

Our programs, such as the IOP program in NC, and the PHP in NC for benzodiazepine treatment, may offer:

Benzodiazepine Outpatient Treatment
Confidential Same-Day Rehab Admission Facility
Private Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Service
24/7 Supervision Under a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist
Local Wilmington Behavioral Health Clinic Experts
Psychotherapies To Manage Emotional Triggers
Individual, Group and Family Therapy Sessions
Dual Diagnosis Care To Address Co-Occurring Disorders

EHG of NC offers outpatient, IOP and PHP benzo addiction treatment programs. We accept most major insurance plans, including UMR, Cigna, Aetna, BCBS and others. To verify your health insurance plan or self-payment option, contact our admissions team at 910-335-9102 .

Questions Related to Benzo Addiction Help in Wilmington, NC

Patients looking for benzo addiction help in NC also ask us the following questions:

How Long Is Benzo Rehab, And Is Outpatient Treatment A Safe Option?

Benzodiazepine rehabilitation can last from about a week to several months. It depends on whether you take short-acting or long-acting benzodiazepines and if you’ve consumed high doses over an extended period.

During outpatient rehab for benzodiazepine addiction, our medical professionals may safely address mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms along with co-occurring disorders.

Is It Possible To Get Off Benzodiazepines Without Withdrawal?

No, it’s not. Attempting to withdraw from benzodiazepines may cause anticipatory anxiety, insomnia, irritability and other symptoms. However, after gradually reducing the dose, the rate of successful withdrawal ranges from 24 to 51% 9.

How Long Does Benzo Withdrawal Last?

As per the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, the acute withdrawal from benzodiazepine lasts between 5 and 28 days, and protracted withdrawal lasts up to 12 months or longer. Also, 10-25% of chronic benzodiazepine users suffer from protracted withdrawal symptoms upon cessation ¹⁰.

Does Sertraline Help With Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms?

No, there is no evidence that proves the effectiveness of Sertaline for benzodiazepine addiction withdrawal help. However, sertraline and benzodiazepines are used in combination for the treatment of anxiety ¹¹.

How To Help Someone With A Benzo Addiction?

Seeking professional help is the most suitable way to help someone with a benzodiazepine addiction. A Licensed addiction professional may prescribe ¹²:

Interventions
Substitution medication
Psychotherapies
Pharmacotherapies

What Medications Are Used For Benzo Addiction Rehab Treatment?

Flumazenil is the only available medication for benzodiazepine toxicity ¹³. It is a selective competitive antagonist of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor and reverses the effects of BZDs, but must be used with caution.

As per the American Family Physician Journal, the following medications may also reduce withdrawal discomfort 14:

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Imipramine
Divalproex (Depakote)
Trazodone

How Much Does A Benzo Addiction Rehab Cost With Health Insurance Support?

Different types of programs are offered to treat benzodiazepine addiction, so the costs vary for each service. Our affordable services for benzo addiction accept most commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, UMR, BCBS, and others.

Is It Possible To Experience A Relapse?

Yes, benzodiazepine relapse is quite common. Individuals may seek treatment to treat the underlying causes of abuse to prevent future relapse. Our benzodiazepine treatment programs may include:

Relapse prevention planning
Aftercare
Support groups

Can I Use The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Benzodiazepine Treatment in The U.S.?

Yes, you can use the FMLA if you’ve been clinically diagnosed with addiction by a medical professional. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows you to take up to 12 weeks off from your job to heal from a serious health condition ¹⁵.

References

Medical Disclaimer:

EHG of NC aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please consult your physicians or EHG of NC's qualified staff.

Benzo Addiction Help Near Me | Wilmington, NC