WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE WITHDRAWAL PROCESS?
It varies tremendously. For people with mild dependencies, the withdrawal process typically encompasses 1-4 weeks of symptoms. This generally applies to most, but not all, people who have used a benzodiazepine for less than six months. It also applies to a percentage of people who have used a benzodiazepine for more than one year. For people with severe dependencies, 6 to 18 months total recovery time, including the taper process, is typical. Generally, one may expect 6 months to a year of diminishing symptoms after a taper is complete. There is also an uncommon phenomenon called Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome (see FAQ 37).
