Tranquility Woods
Overview and Education
Benzo Addiction Rehab in Maryland
If you’ve ever been prescribed something like Xanax, Valium, or Ativan, you’ve been introduced to the world of benzodiazepines. Commonly known as “benzos,” these medications are often prescribed to help with anxiety, panic attacks, or sleep issues. And for a lot of people, they work really well—at first. But benzos are one of those medications that come with a hidden cost if used for too long or without careful monitoring. So let’s talk about how benzo addiction happens, why it’s so tricky, and what recovery can look like.
What Are Benzos, Really?
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that act as sedatives. They slow down activity in the brain and central nervous system, making you feel calmer, more relaxed, and sometimes even sleepy. It’s why they’re often prescribed to people with high levels of anxiety or difficulty sleeping. In medical settings, they’re a powerful tool. But here’s the thing: benzos are only meant to be used for short periods, usually a few weeks at most.
When benzos are used longer than that, the body starts adapting to them. Your brain gets used to having that extra help to calm down, and pretty soon, it relies on the drug to feel “normal.” This is where things start to get complicated.
How Does Benzo Addiction Happen?
Addiction to benzos can creep up on people because it often starts with a legitimate prescription. Maybe you started taking Xanax for a rough patch in life—a breakup, job stress, or maybe even a traumatic event. And you might’ve noticed how it took the edge off, made things feel a bit more manageable. But then, after a few weeks or months, you might have needed a little more to feel the same effect, and soon, stopping wasn’t just difficult—it felt impossible.
Benzos are particularly risky because of how they interact with the brain. They affect a neurotransmitter called GABA, which is like a “chill” switch for your brain. Over time, the brain reduces its own natural production of GABA, essentially relying on the benzo to provide that calming effect. So when someone tries to stop taking benzos, they can experience extreme anxiety, panic attacks, muscle pain, insomnia, and sometimes even seizures. This is known as withdrawal, and it can be serious.
Why Is Benzo Addiction Hard to Spot?
One of the trickiest things about benzo addiction is that it often doesn’t look like “typical” addiction. There’s no wild partying or obvious changes in behavior that people associate with drug abuse. For a lot of people, it’s a quiet kind of dependence that builds up over time. You might look completely functional on the outside—going to work, handling responsibilities, even keeping up appearances with family and friends. But on the inside, there’s a growing need for the drug just to feel okay.
It can also be hard to recognize because the withdrawal symptoms can mimic the very problems benzos were prescribed to treat in the first place. For instance, if you’re taking Xanax for anxiety, and you try to stop, the withdrawal can create more anxiety—often worse than before. This can create a cycle where you feel like you need the medication just to feel “normal,” and over time, that can become an addiction.
What Does Recovery from Benzo Addiction Look Like?
At Tranquility Woods, we understand that recovering from benzodiazepine addiction is a journey that requires patience, support, and a structured approach. Benzos are uniquely challenging to quit because they can alter the brain’s chemistry over time, making a sudden withdrawal not only difficult but potentially dangerous. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive, three-phase program designed to address each stage of healing and give clients a strong foundation for long-term recovery.
Phase One: Residential Treatment
In the first phase, clients stay on-site at Tranquility Woods, where they’re immersed in a supportive, peaceful environment designed for deep healing. The journey begins with a medically supervised detox, where our experienced medical team closely monitors clients and carefully adjusts treatment to ensure safety and comfort as they taper off benzodiazepines. This gradual approach helps to minimize withdrawal symptoms, setting the stage for a safer and more manageable detox experience.
But residential treatment is about much more than just getting through detox. During this phase, clients participate in intensive one-on-one therapy, group sessions, and holistic activities like yoga, meditation, and art therapy. These therapies help clients reconnect with themselves, learn to manage anxiety naturally, and begin addressing the underlying issues that contributed to their dependency. Residential treatment provides the essential foundation, equipping clients with new coping tools and emotional skills that they’ll build on in the phases to come.
Phase Two: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
After completing the residential phase, clients transition to our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), which offers a balance between structured care and increasing independence. In PHP, clients no longer stay overnight at our facility, but they come back daily for several hours of therapy and structured support. We also have structured sober living homes that can help offer more support if clients aren't ready to return home yet.
This phase is a crucial bridge between the immersive environment of residential treatment and the semi-independent life that follows. By attending daily sessions, clients continue to receive a high level of care, but they also begin practicing the skills they’ve learned in real-world settings. Therapy in PHP focuses on relapse prevention, deeper emotional healing, and refining the coping skills introduced in Phase One. This daily structure allows clients to test their resilience and problem-solving abilities, with the comfort of knowing they can process any challenges with our team and their peers before moving forward.
Members of our clinical team meeting at our outpatient location in Arnold, Maryland.
Phase Three: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The final phase, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), gives clients even more flexibility, allowing them to reintegrate into their daily routines—whether that’s work, school, or family life—while still staying connected to the support system at Tranquility Woods. In IOP, clients come to our facility several times a week for therapy sessions, group support, and individualized counseling, but with less frequency than in PHP.
This phase is all about maintaining momentum, building confidence, and reinforcing the healthy habits developed in earlier phases. IOP allows clients to put their new skills into practice in a real-world context and then return to a supportive environment where they can process their experiences, discuss any triggers or setbacks, and receive guidance on how to keep moving forward. It’s a chance to fine-tune coping strategies, work on long-term recovery goals, and solidify the foundation for an independent, fulfilling life.
Change can happen.
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Recovery
At Tranquility Woods, we understand that addiction is complex, but recovery is possible with the right support. Our comprehensive, individualized approach combines evidence-based therapies, holistic care, and compassionate support to address not just the symptoms, but the root causes of addiction.
Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, drugs, or co-occurring mental health conditions, we’re here to guide you on the path to lasting recovery. Contact us today to start your journey toward healing and a healthier, sober life.