Coming Off of Benzos: My First Week

Coming off benzodiazepines is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. That first week felt like my brain had been unplugged and wired back in wrong. I want to share what it was really like for me, mixed with what I’ve since learned about withdrawal and how to get through it as safely as possible.

Coming off benzos in the first week often brings a “rebound” of anxiety and insomnia, plus physical symptoms like sweating, tremor, nausea, and a racing heart.[1][2][5] This early withdrawal phase usually starts within 24–72 hours and can last several days, which is why slow tapering and medical supervision are strongly recommended.[1][2][10]

This story is not medical advice. Always talk with a prescriber before changing your dose. If you have any history of seizures or severe mental health issues, seek supervised detox.[1][2][8]

My First 24 Hours: Letting Go Of The Safety Blanket

I didn’t jump; I tapered down under my doctor’s guidance, but that final step from “almost nothing” to “zero” still felt huge.[10] The night before my last dose, the pill felt like a safety blanket I wasn’t ready to give up.

The first 12 hours were deceptively calm. I remember thinking, “Maybe I got lucky.” Then bedtime came.

• Sleep was light, choppy, and full of bizarre, vivid dreams.
• My body felt wired but exhausted, like I’d had too much coffee and not enough oxygen.
• Every small noise made me jolt awake.

Looking back, this lines up with early withdrawal: insomnia, restlessness, sweating, and rising anxiety are common as the drug level falls in your system.[1][2][5]

If nighttime panic is a big issue for you, you might also want to read about Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Act For Insomnia.

Days 2–3: Rebound Anxiety Hits

By day 2, the “rebound” really started.[5]

• My baseline anxiety came back stronger than before I ever took benzos.
• My heart pounded even while sitting still.
• I felt waves of fear with no clear trigger.

Research describes this exact pattern: after stopping benzos, rebound anxiety and insomnia can appear within 1–4 days, depending on the drug’s half-life.[1][5] For shorter-acting meds like Xanax, this often hits sooner and harder.[1][2] If that’s your situation, you may find the article Xanax Detox Timeline What Happens In The First 7 Days helpful.

Physically, I noticed:

• Shaky hands and inner trembling
• Sweaty palms
• Headaches and mild nausea

These are classic early withdrawal symptoms listed in clinical guides: tremor, sweating, nausea, headaches, and muscle tension.[1][2][5]

Emotionally, I felt fragile and strangely detached at times, which touched the edge of depersonalization and derealization—both documented in benzo withdrawal.[3][4] If you’re dealing with this, you’re not alone; see Depersonalization And Derealization In Recovery.

Days 4–5: The Mental Fog And Body Weirdness

Around days 4–5, my anxiety was still high, but something new appeared: cognitive fog and sensory sensitivity.

• I struggled to follow conversations or read more than a few paragraphs.
• Light felt too bright; sounds felt too loud.
• My skin tingled, especially in my arms and legs.

Studies and guidelines list concentration problems, tingling (paresthesia), increased sensitivity to light and sound, and “clouded thinking” as part of withdrawal.[3][4][5] Knowing this later was strangely comforting—my brain wasn’t “broken,” it was adapting.

My digestion also went off track: reduced appetite, stomach cramps, and loose stools—again, all typical in early withdrawal.[1][3][4]

If you’re dealing with digestive symptoms, you might relate to Benzo Belly Digestive Issues During Withdrawal.

Days 6–7: Glimpses Of Calm

By the end of the first week, something shifted.

• The constant adrenaline feeling eased a little.
• I started having short periods—sometimes only 20–30 minutes—where my nervous system felt less “on fire.”
• Sleep was still broken, but I got a couple of 3–4 hour stretches.

Medically, this fits the early withdrawal phase giving way to the broader acute phase.[1][7] Symptoms can still be intense or fluctuate, but that first relentless surge often softens a bit.

I also noticed small wins:

• I could tolerate a short walk without feeling like I’d collapse.
• My thoughts, while still anxious, were a tiny bit clearer.
• The fear of “I’ll feel like this forever” started to loosen.

Articles like Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Timeline Phases Explained describe these waves and windows—understanding that pattern helped me stay hopeful.

Practical Tips That Helped Me In Week One

These are not cures, but they made a real difference that first week.

• Don’t go cold turkey if you can avoid it

  • Rapid discontinuation increases the risk of severe symptoms and seizures.[1][2][5][8]
  • Work with a prescriber on a gradual taper; micro-tapers can be especially gentle.[10] See Quitting Klonopin The Importance Of Micro Tapering and How To Use A Gemini Scale For Micro Tapering.

• Have a safety plan

  • Know when to seek emergency care: confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or extreme agitation are red flags.[1][2][4][8]
  • Keep crisis numbers handy; in the U.S., SAMHSA offers a 24/7 helpline.[6]

• Simplify your week

  • Clear your schedule as much as possible.
  • Reduce driving, major decisions, and stressful commitments while symptoms are most intense.

• Gentle nervous system support

  • Short walks or light stretching to discharge some of the inner restlessness.
  • Simple grounding: focusing on your breath or naming things you can see, hear, and feel to ride out waves of panic.
  • If akathisia (severe inner restlessness) shows up, see Coping With Akathisia Inner Restlessness.

• Protect your sleep, even if it’s broken

  • Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule.
  • Create a dark, quiet environment; even if you’re just resting with eyes closed, you’re giving your nervous system a break.

• Feed your brain what you can

  • Small, frequent meals if appetite is low; dehydration and low blood sugar can worsen symptoms.[1][2]
  • For ideas on nutritional and supplement support, see Supplements For Brain Repair During Withdrawal.

• Watch your thoughts about the future

  • Withdrawal can amplify catastrophic thinking.
  • Remind yourself: This is my brain adjusting, not my permanent state. Many people improve significantly over time, even if the path is uneven.[1][2][9]

• Avoid kindling if you can

  • Repeated stopping and starting benzos can make each withdrawal harder, a process called kindling.[1][7][10]
  • If you’re tempted to go back and forth, read What Is Kindling Effect and Understanding The Kindling Effect In Repeated Withdrawal.

FAQ: People Also Ask

What are the first signs of benzo withdrawal?

Early signs often include rising anxiety, restlessness, sweating, tremor, headache, and trouble sleeping within 24–72 hours of dose reduction or stopping, depending on the specific drug and dose.[1][2][5]

How long does benzo withdrawal last?

Early symptoms may appear in the first few days and last one to two weeks, while broader acute withdrawal can persist for weeks.[1][2][7] A minority experience protracted symptoms that last months or longer.[1][3][9]

Can benzo withdrawal be dangerous?

Yes. While many cases are not life-threatening, withdrawal can involve seizures, hallucinations, delirium, and severe agitation, especially after abrupt cessation or high doses.[1][2][4][5][8] Medical supervision is strongly recommended.

Is it normal to feel worse than before I started benzos?

Yes. “Rebound” anxiety and insomnia—symptoms returning more intensely than before treatment—are well-documented in the first days after stopping benzodiazepines.[1][5]

Conclusion

That first week off benzos was messy, frightening, and far from linear—but it was also the beginning of my nervous system relearning how to function without a chemical crutch. If you are in those early days, you are not weak and you are not alone. With informed tapering, support, and time, your brain can move toward balance again. You may find courage and perspective in others’ experiences too, like The Day I Decided To Quit Stories Of Benzo Detox and Learning From The Community Ativan Withdrawal Experiences.