Quick answer
Stopping benzodiazepines suddenly can cause seizures, so a supervised taper - not quitting cold - is the safe move. Within 30 miles of downtown Orlando, the SAMHSA locator lists 7 programs offering benzodiazepine detoxification. Orange County overdose deaths fell from 281 in 2024 to 205 in 2025. Here is how to taper safely.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal is one of the few drug withdrawals that can kill, which is why the answer to "how do I stop taking Xanax?" is never "just stop." A supervised taper is. In and around Orlando, the SAMHSA treatment locator lists 87 substance use facilities within 30 miles of downtown, and 7 of them specifically offer benzodiazepine detoxification. This page explains what a safe benzo taper looks like, what the local data shows, and how to get started today.
Why you should not quit benzos on your own
Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium) calm the nervous system, and the brain adapts to them. The FDA's boxed warning covers the entire class: abruptly stopping or rapidly reducing the dose can cause withdrawal reactions including seizures, and physical dependence can develop in as little as days to weeks of steady use, even at prescribed doses.
The ASAM benzodiazepine tapering guideline is explicit that people who are physically dependent should reduce the dose slowly under clinical supervision. In practice a clinician may gradually lower your dose or switch you to a longer-acting benzodiazepine first, monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, and mood along the way. For long-term users, a full taper can take months - that is normal, not failure.
One more safety note: benzodiazepines become far more dangerous when mixed with opioids or alcohol, and most overdose deaths involve more than one substance. If a taper is being planned, treatment often addresses everything at once.
Benzo detox options within 30 miles of downtown Orlando
Searching the SAMHSA locator from ZIP 32801 with a 30-mile radius returns 87 substance use treatment facilities, including:
- 7 offering benzodiazepine detoxification
- 11 offering detoxification overall (withdrawal management)
- 22 with residential programs
- 65 offering outpatient services
- 36 inside Orlando city limits
Facilities the locator lists for benzo detoxification include Orlando Recovery Center (about 5 miles from downtown), Sunrise Detox Orlando (about 6 miles), University Behavioral Center (about 12 miles), Central Florida Recovery Centers in Apopka (about 12 miles), and the Orlando VA Medical Center mental health program (about 14 miles) for veterans. Counts change as programs open and close - confirm current availability directly with each facility or on the locator.
What the local data shows
Orange County's numbers are moving in the right direction. CDC provisional county data show 281 drug overdose deaths among Orange County residents in the 12 months ending December 2024, falling to 205 in the 12 months ending December 2025 - roughly a 27% drop. In the Florida Medical Examiners Commission's 2024 report, District 9 (Orlando/Orange) recorded 28 deaths with alprazolam present, 9 of them alprazolam-caused, and 23 deaths with clonazepam present. District 9's total prescription-drug deaths fell 27.9%, from 735 in 2023 to 530 in 2024.
Statewide, alprazolam appeared in 986 deaths in 2024 (down 10.8% from 1,106 in 2023) and clonazepam in 386 (down 20.7%). Presence in toxicology does not mean a benzodiazepine caused the death on its own - but it shows how often these medications travel alongside opioids and alcohol in fatal overdoses.
Central Florida Cares Health System is the DCF Managing Entity serving Orange County and coordinates publicly funded behavioral health treatment in the region.
Paying for benzo detox in Orlando
Florida Medicaid is administered by AHCA and covers medically necessary substance use treatment for eligible members through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care plans - confirm your plan's network for the specific facility. Florida has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. If you are uninsured, ask Central Florida Cares about publicly funded and sliding-fee pathways.
How to start today
- If this is a medical emergency, call 911. A seizure, severe confusion, or hallucinations during withdrawal need emergency care. For a crisis, call or text 988.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through taper and detox options with a treatment specialist, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP 32801 and filter for detoxification services, then call programs to confirm they handle benzodiazepine withdrawal specifically.
- If you are uninsured, ask Central Florida Cares Health System about publicly funded slots.
Do not stop your benzodiazepine today on your own - but do make today the day you ask for help planning the stop.
Last updated: Sat Oct 17 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
Where can I detox from benzodiazepines near Orlando?
The SAMHSA locator lists 7 facilities within 30 miles of downtown Orlando that offer benzodiazepine detoxification, including three inside Orlando city limits and others in Apopka, Kissimmee, and Mount Dora. Detox units set up for alcohol or opioids manage benzodiazepines differently, so ask each program directly about benzo-specific capacity before you commit to a bed.
Is benzodiazepine withdrawal dangerous?
It can be. Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines after regular use can cause serious withdrawal reactions including seizures, and physical dependence can develop within days to weeks of steady use - that is the FDA's boxed warning for the entire drug class. Tapers are done under medical supervision for exactly this reason.
How common are benzodiazepines in Central Florida overdose data?
Florida Medical Examiners Commission District 9 (Orlando/Orange) recorded 28 deaths with alprazolam present in 2024, including 9 in which alprazolam caused or contributed to death. Statewide, alprazolam appeared in 986 deaths in 2024, down 10.8% from 2023. Most overdose deaths involve more than one substance.
Does Florida Medicaid cover benzo detox in Orlando?
Florida Medicaid (AHCA) covers medically necessary substance use treatment for eligible members through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care plans; Florida has not expanded Medicaid. If you are uninsured, Central Florida Cares Health System - the DCF Managing Entity for Orange County - can point you to publicly funded options.
What should I do if someone is in withdrawal crisis right now?
Call 911 for a seizure, unresponsiveness, or severe confusion. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988. You can also call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist who can check coverage and find an opening.