Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: Can They Stop Xanax or Klonopin on Their Own?

Why is stopping suddenly dangerous?

The body adapts to the drug, and pulling it away all at once can trigger seizures. In 2020 the FDA put an updated boxed warning, its most prominent kind, on every benzodiazepine for exactly this reason.¹ Dependence isn’t the same as addiction; the FDA treats them as separate risks, so someone who has never taken an extra pill can still be dependent.¹

If your loved one also drinks heavily, read why quitting alcohol suddenly can be dangerous; alcohol withdrawal carries its own seizure risk.

What does withdrawal look like?

Mostly anxiety, poor sleep and irritability, which is confusing because it can look like the problem the drug was prescribed for. Panic attacks, memory problems, tremors and muscle pain or stiffness are also common. Severe reactions include seizures, hallucinations, psychosis and suicidal thoughts.¹

Timing varies by person and by drug, and there’s no way to predict who will have a hard time.¹

What does a safe taper look like?

A 2025 guideline led by the American Society of Addiction Medicine says anyone who has taken a benzodiazepine for more than a month should taper gradually under clinical supervision rather than stop.² The FDA adds that no standard schedule suits every patient, so the prescriber builds one for that person. Check-ins should be frequent, and if withdrawal symptoms show up, the prescriber may pause the taper or go back to the previous dose and then move more slowly.¹ Expect weeks to months, and leave the dose changes to the prescriber.

What if the pills aren’t prescribed?

Treat them as unknown drugs. Illegally made fentanyl is increasingly pressed into counterfeit pills, including ones made to look like alprazolam (Xanax).⁵ Someone taking street pills daily can be just as physically dependent. Read what families should know about fentanyl.

Heavy use, or use alongside alcohol or opioids, may call for medically managed withdrawal in a detox setting. If your loved one is on buprenorphine or methadone, the FDA says those medications shouldn’t be withheld because of benzodiazepine use; untreated opioid addiction can do more harm than the added risk, which careful medication management can reduce.⁴

Is it safe for them to stop now?

Answer a few questions to see what to do next. It’s a starting point, not a medical opinion.

How can families help?

Resist the urge to hide, flush or ration the pills; a sudden stop is the very thing you’re trying to avoid.¹ If your loved one agrees, go to appointments with them and bring a written list of everything they take, alcohol included.¹ After each dose change, keep an eye on sleep, mood, shakiness and panic, and pass along what you see. It’s also worth asking about therapy or other non-drug help for the anxiety or insomnia underneath.¹³ If a mental health condition is part of the picture, read about treating addiction and mental health together.

Be especially careful with older parents. Benzodiazepine risks include falls, car crashes, memory problems and overdose,² and the VA lists older patients as a tapering priority because of injury and cognitive risks.³ More on substance use in older adults.