Quick answer
Sullivan County recorded 16 overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines in 2024, down from 25 in 2023, and 15 of them also involved opioids (Tennessee Department of Health). Within 30 miles of Bristol, 5 facilities list benzodiazepine detoxification. Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly can cause seizures, so a supervised taper matters.
Published: 2026-10-25 Updated: 2026-10-25
What does benzodiazepine treatment in Bristol look like?
It depends on how long you have taken them and at what dose. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium calm the nervous system, and the body adapts to them. If you have taken a steady dose for months, a slow, supervised taper may be manageable as an outpatient. If you use high doses, have had a seizure before, or mix benzos with opioids or alcohol, withdrawal needs medical monitoring. Within 30 miles of Bristol, 5 facilities list benzodiazepine detoxification, so the right setting usually exists - the decision should come from an assessment, not a guess.
Sullivan County recorded 16 overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines in 2024, down from 25 in 2023, and 15 of them also involved opioids (Tennessee Department of Health). Within 30 miles of Bristol, 5 facilities list benzodiazepine detoxification. Stopping benzodiazepines abruptly can cause seizures, so a supervised taper matters.
Why stopping suddenly is dangerous
The FDA warns that stopping benzodiazepines abruptly or reducing the dose too quickly can cause serious withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening. That is why a taper is not the same as quitting.
Withdrawal can bring anxiety, insomnia, tremors, sweating, and racing thoughts. More seriously, it can bring confusion, hallucinations, and seizures. Risk rises with high doses, long-term use, and a history of withdrawal seizures. There is no single taper schedule that fits everyone; the FDA says the plan should be built for the individual and monitored.
If you have been taking benzodiazepines daily, do not stop cold. Talk to a clinician first.
How benzodiazepines show up in Sullivan County
Tennessee Department of Health final data count 16 drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines in Sullivan County in 2024, down from 25 in 2023. 15 of those 16 deaths also involved an opioid. Statewide, benzodiazepines were involved in 303 Tennessee overdose deaths in 2024, with 275 involving both an opioid and a benzodiazepine.
The opioid-benzodiazepine combination is the pattern that repeats. Both classes slow breathing, and together the effect is not additive but multiplied. If you take both, that pairing is the single biggest thing to change first.
Detox, taper, and treatment near Bristol
Within 30 miles of Bristol, the SAMHSA locator lists 30 substance use facilities, including:
- 5 that offer benzodiazepine detoxification specifically, and 5 offering withdrawal management overall
- 17 offering intensive outpatient programs
- 3 with residential programs
- 28 providing cognitive behavioral therapy
- 29 offering telemedicine, which can make a taper easier to stick with
There is no medication approved to treat benzodiazepine use disorder itself. Care usually combines a gradual taper with counseling - cognitive behavioral therapy to build coping skills and treat the anxiety that often sits underneath the use. See our guide to medical detox for benzodiazepine withdrawal for how a supervised taper is structured.
If you also use opioids
Many people in this region use both, sometimes without meaning to. If opioids are involved, keep naloxone on hand - it reverses an opioid overdose, though not a benzodiazepine one. Sullivan County's supply is unpredictable, and counterfeit pills often contain fentanyl. If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, call 911 and give naloxone; it cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing.
Paying for benzodiazepine treatment
26 of the 30 facilities within 30 miles of Bristol accept Medicaid, and 13 offer a sliding fee scale. TennCare covers medically necessary substance use treatment for eligible members; confirm your managed care organization and any prior authorization. Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid to all low-income adults, so uninsured residents should ask about state-funded and sliding-fee options through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
Where to get help in Bristol
- Tennessee REDLINE - call or text 800-889-9789, free and confidential, 24/7, for treatment referrals.
- FindHelpNowTN.org lists near-real-time treatment openings you can filter by level of care and payment.
- Ask any prescriber for a taper plan in writing, and ask what to do if withdrawal symptoms get worse.
How to start today
- If someone has a seizure, severe confusion, or trouble breathing, call 911. For a crisis, call or text 988.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through benzodiazepine taper and treatment options, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Do not stop benzodiazepines abruptly. Ask about a supervised taper at your next appointment.
- If opioids are also involved, get naloxone and keep it where you can reach it fast.
Dependence on benzodiazepines is common and treatable, and it is not a failure of will. The goal is to come off them safely, with support, at a pace your body can handle. Other Benzodiazepine treatment in Tennessee: Benzodiazepine detox in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Clarksville, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Jackson, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Johnson City, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Knoxville, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Memphis, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Nashville, Tennessee.
Last updated: Sun Oct 25 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
Is benzodiazepine withdrawal dangerous?
Yes. The FDA warns that stopping benzodiazepines abruptly or reducing the dose too quickly can cause serious withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening. A slow, medically supervised taper is the safe way to stop.
Where can I get supervised benzo detox near Bristol?
Within 30 miles of Bristol, the SAMHSA locator lists 5 facilities that offer benzodiazepine detoxification and 5 offering withdrawal management overall (pull dated October 25, 2026). Because benzo withdrawal can be medical, ask specifically whether staff can manage a taper and monitor you.
Why are benzodiazepines so risky when mixed with opioids?
Both drugs slow breathing. In Sullivan County, 15 of the 16 overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines in 2024 also involved opioids. If you take both, never use them alone, and keep naloxone on hand for the opioid side.
Can benzodiazepine dependence be treated without detox?
Sometimes. A slow taper can be managed in an outpatient setting for people on stable, lower doses with no history of seizures. Heavy use, high doses, or prior withdrawal seizures usually need medical monitoring, which is why an assessment comes first.
What should I do in an emergency?
Call 911 for a seizure, severe confusion, or difficulty breathing. If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly after mixing benzos with opioids or alcohol, give naloxone if you have it and call 911. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988.