Tommy Recovery Coaching

Overcoming Addiction to Benzodiazepines

In the third season of the hit HBO television series The White Lotus, actress Parker Posey plays the role of Victoria Ratliff, an over-the-top Southern matriarch whose lorazepam prescription becomes a plot device when it goes missing. Ratliff takes the benzodiazepine to treat a chronic social anxiety disorder compounded by her eccentric personality and questionable morality. When she loses her pills at the luxury resort, her withdrawal symptoms are immediate but limited to frustration and anxiety. According to addiction recovery professionals who watched The White Lotus, Ratliff’s reaction to the missing prescription was one of the most unrealistic plot points.

The Dangerous Reality of Benzodiazepine Dependence

Most people who get hooked on lorazepam (Ativan) experience intense and severe withdrawal symptoms. The same applies to other benzodiazepines, like diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). From the 1960s to the 1980s, these medications were widely prescribed to treat insomnia, pain, and anxiety. By the late 1970s, clinical studies showed troubling evidence of recreational abuse, strong chemical dependence, and withdrawal episodes with a high risk of turning fatal. In The White Lotus, Ratliff throws a hissy fit and deals with an anxiety attack after being forced to stop cold turkey. In reality, her long-term dependence could have caused severe headaches, hypertension, sweating, trembling, and even a fatal cardiac episode.

Shaking Off Benzodiazepine Addiction

Another stark reality of benzodiazepine dependence is that it can be stubbornly pernicious, so the treatment and recovery plan calls for a clinical approach. Most patients need to be tapered off while getting psychological support. Up to 80 percent of patients experience acute withdrawal symptoms. Thankfully, they can be alleviated and managed through a schedule of lower doses. Some patients are prescribed other medications like gabapentin to prevent seizures caused by intense cravings and withdrawals. There’s no rule of thumb for how long patients should be tapered off. Some feel better after a few weeks, while others continue taking lower doses mixed with placebos for over three months.

Staying Off Benzodiazepines

According to a 2005 study conducted by researchers from the Université Laval in Quebec, the average relapse rate for patients recovering from benzodiazepine addiction is 47 percent after two years. This is significantly lower than the relapse rates reported for alcoholism and opioid dependency. Lapsing is rare among patients while they’re being tapered off. A problem with benzodiazepines is their prevalence in nightlife circles. For this reason, many patients receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling. Southern California residents can also benefit from the help of sober coaches who provide support for addiction recovery in Encinitas, CA.

Addressing Underlying Anxiety Issues

A plot twist in The White Lotus explains what happened to Ratliff’s lorazepam prescription. Her husband stole them and began taking them to deal with a business scandal that threatened to disrupt his family’s opulent lifestyle, and he also developed an addiction. The show succeeds in portraying a pitiful couple in need of recovery treatment, and it underscores how deep their collective anxiety runs. Addressing this condition is key to a successful recovery. Exacerbated anxiety is a common side effect of benzodiazepine addiction, and it’s paradoxical when the medication is prescribed for anxiety. When withdrawal symptoms persist after tapering off, sober lifestyle coaching can help patients deal with protracted anxiety by formulating and implementing therapeutic plans. 

If someone you know is facing the challenge of addiction, consider reaching out for professional support from an interventionist. Encinitas addicts who receive this guidance often find it’s a crucial element in beginning a successful and sustained recovery journey. Encinitas residents can trust the expertise and experience of the compassionate team at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. We know precisely what it takes to get sober, stay sober, and live the healthy lifestyle you deserve. We specialize in working with clients with active addictions as well as clients already in recovery. Our sober coaches provide encouragement, accountability, insight, and understanding through our own recovery experiences. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.