Benzodiazepine withdrawal can feel unpredictable and overwhelming, especially for people who have taken medications like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin for an extended period of time. Symptoms can begin quickly and sometimes last longer than people expect.
Understanding the typical benzo withdrawal timeline can help you recognize what your body may experience as it adjusts to functioning without the medication. While every person’s recovery is different, many people experience similar stages during withdrawal.
Benzodiazepines affect the brain’s GABA receptors, which regulate anxiety, sleep, and nervous system activity. Over time, the brain becomes dependent on the medication to maintain balance.
When benzodiazepines are reduced or stopped suddenly, the nervous system can become overstimulated. This is why withdrawal may cause symptoms such as:
In some cases, severe withdrawal can lead to seizures or serious medical complications. Because of these risks, many people choose medically supervised support through benzodiazepine addiction treatment.
While each person’s experience is different, withdrawal from benzodiazepines often follows a general progression. The timeline below reflects what many people experience as the body adjusts to lower levels of the medication.
Benzodiazepines interact with the brain in ways that make withdrawal different from many other substances. Long-term use changes how the nervous system regulates anxiety and stress.
Because of this, recovery often requires time for the brain to re-establish healthy signaling between neurons. The process can be slower for people who:
A gradual taper and supportive care can help the nervous system stabilize more safely during this process.
Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be physically and emotionally challenging. Professional support is often recommended when someone experiences:
Structured care for benzodiazepine dependence can help people taper safely, stabilize symptoms, and begin addressing the underlying reasons benzodiazepines were prescribed in the first place.
Benzo withdrawal can be physically and emotionally difficult to navigate alone. If symptoms are becoming intense or unpredictable, professional support can help you stabilize safely and begin the recovery process.
Jody Kocsis is a dependable team member dedicated to maintaining a safe, clean, and efficient facility environment. With a strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality, Jody supports daily operations and ensures a positive experience for all.
Eric Simmons is the Director of Case Management at Greylock Recovery, bringing more than 15 years of experience in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, residential programming, admissions, and case management. He has led program operations, patient advocacy initiatives, staff development, and outcome improvement efforts across residential and human service settings.
Prior to Greylock Recovery, Eric served as Director of Residential and Admissions Services for a local Berkshire county recovery facility, overseeing residential operations, admissions, referral development, and regulatory compliance. His expertise includes case management, discharge planning, community resource development, compliance, and staff training.
Eric earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Westfield State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is committed to helping individuals overcome barriers to recovery and achieve lasting stability, while also serving his community as a youth football coach and mentor.
Jennifer Parsons is a seasoned human resources executive with more than 15 years of experience leading strategic HR initiatives, talent management, employee relations, and organizational development. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, where she played a key role in fostering a positive workplace culture and supporting the organization’s growth and success.
Jennifer holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), demonstrating her expertise and commitment to excellence in the HR profession. She also earned an associate’s degree in both Business Administration and Hospitality Administration, providing a strong foundation in leadership, operations, and customer service.
A Berkshire County native, Jennifer is deeply committed to her community and currently resides in the region with her family. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Gladys Allen Brigham Center in Pittsfield, supporting the organization’s mission to empower women and strengthen the Community.
Jennifer Walker has been caring for others since 1989, starting out as a nurse’s aide and working her way through roles as a medical assistant, LPN, and RN. Along the way, she earned an associate’s degree in business administration and gathered an impressive range of experience—from primary care and long-term care to neurosurgery, neurology, colorectal surgery, orthopedics, and hospital-based surgical services. She’s also spent seven years helping individuals overcome substance use disorders, including time as a Director of Nursing, and has worked in hospice and with patients with disabilities.
But Jennifer’s dedication to people goes far beyond the workplace. A former foster parent and active supporter of local charities, she pours her heart into her community. When she’s not in scrubs, you can find her cheering at a sports game, tending to her garden, or enjoying laughter-filled moments with her family. Her blend of skill, heart, and positivity makes her not just a caregiver, but a true bright light for everyone she meets.
Elizabeth Azzariti, LICSW, is a seasoned clinical leader with over 10 years of experience in treating behavioral and addiction issues. After a successful 25-year career in the insurance industry, where she advanced to VP of Finance and Administration, she returned to school, earned her Master of Social Work from Wheelock College, and launched a new career dedicated to behavioral health. In her new role as Clinical Director at Greylock Recovery, she brings deep expertise in clinical operations, program development, and multidisciplinary team leadership. Most recently, as Executive Director at Nulife Behavioral Health, she served as both Clinical and Executive Director, leading the launch of PHP, IOP, TMS, Alumni, and Family programs while overseeing clinical staff hiring, supervision, and operations. She designed and implemented a 16-week evidence-based curriculum for co-occurring disorders that boosted attendance, retention, and patient outcomes. Her prior leadership roles include Clinical Supervisor at Blue Hills Recovery—directing multidisciplinary teams across PHP, IOP, and 24/7 residential programs—and at New England Recovery Center. EMDR-trained and specializing in trauma-informed care and integrated treatment, Elizabeth is passionate about delivering high-quality clinical care that supports lasting recovery for individuals and families.
Flora Sadri-Azarbayejani’s journey in the field of healthcare began at Boston University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering.
Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani pursued dual master’s degrees at Boston University, specializing in epidemiology and biostatistics, and medical science. She then attained her doctorate in medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani’s professional career commenced as an epidemiologist in infectious disease at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Eventually appointed as the Chief Medical Officer.She became board certified in addiction medicine and worked in the addiction space since 2014. She has worked both inpatient and outpatient addiction medicine. Opening programs in both arenas.
Currently serves as the medical director for substance use services at Lowell Community Health Center and for an inpatient addiction treatment center. Dr. Sadri-Azarbayejani is an active and engaged member of various medical societies, including the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).
Involved with development of CARF guidelines for outpatient addiction treatment programs. She also hopes to make an impact on passing legislation of supervised consumption sites in the near future.
Lauren Temple is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) bringing over 15 years of dedicated leadership in the behavioral health sector, with extensive expertise spanning inpatient, outpatient, and substance use disorder programming. She obtained her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and holds dual licensure as an LICSW in Massachusetts and an LISW-S in Ohio. Serving as the Executive Director for Greylock Recovery, Lauren manages clinical operations, regulatory adherence, and strategic growth to uphold the highest standards of patient-centric treatment.
Her professional background includes directing diverse clinical teams, broadening service accessibility, and overseeing quality improvement efforts while navigating complex accreditation and state regulatory cycles. Lauren remains deeply invested in cultivating elite clinical staff, improving recovery metrics, and championing evidence-based advancements in behavioral health care.