Quick answer
Benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin should not be stopped cold: the FDA warns abrupt withdrawal can cause seizures. Within 30 miles of Kingsport, the SAMHSA locator lists 5 detox programs and 39 outpatient facilities. Sullivan County recorded 16 benzo-involved overdose deaths in 2024, 15 of them also involving opioids.
Published: 2026-10-25 Updated: 2026-10-25
What does benzodiazepine treatment in Kingsport 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 withdrawal seizure before, or mix benzos with opioids or alcohol, withdrawal needs medical monitoring - within 30 miles of Kingsport, 5 facilities offer detoxification. Let an assessment, not a guess, decide the setting.
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). 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.
Taper, therapy, and what is nearby
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. Our guide to medical detox for benzodiazepine withdrawal explains how a supervised taper is structured, and benzodiazepines and opioids covers the combination risk in detail.
Within 30 miles of Kingsport, the SAMHSA locator lists 39 substance use facilities (pull dated October 8, 2026), including 5 offering detoxification, 3 with residential programs, and 39 offering outpatient services - enough range that the right setting usually exists locally. Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current openings by phone.
If you also use opioids
Many people in this region use both, sometimes without meaning to - counterfeit pills marketed as Xanax often contain fentanyl. If opioids are involved, keep naloxone on hand; it reverses an opioid overdose, though not a benzodiazepine one. If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, call 911 and give naloxone; it cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing.
Paying for benzodiazepine treatment
TennCare covers medically necessary substance use treatment for eligible members; confirm your managed care organization and any prior authorization with your plan. 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 Kingsport
- Tennessee REDLINE - call or text 1-800-889-9789, 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 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.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any facility named above. Other Benzodiazepine treatment in Tennessee: Benzodiazepine detox in Bristol, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Clarksville, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Cookeville, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Franklin, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Jackson, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Johnson City, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Knoxville, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Maryville, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Memphis, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Morristown, Tennessee, Benzodiazepine detox in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Last updated: 2026-10-25
Frequently asked questions
Can I stop taking benzodiazepines cold turkey?
No - and this is one case where the warning is specific. 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. If you have been taking them daily, talk to a clinician about a gradual taper first. Call 911 for a seizure, severe confusion, or trouble breathing.
How long does a benzodiazepine taper take?
It depends on the drug, dose, and how long you have taken it - there is no single schedule that fits everyone. The FDA says the taper plan should be built for the individual and monitored. Short-acting drugs like alprazolam (Xanax) are often switched to a longer-acting one first. A prescriber who has seen your history should set the pace.
Why do benzo deaths so often involve opioids?
In Sullivan County, 15 of the 16 overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines in 2024 also involved an opioid. 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 - and keeping naloxone on hand is a sensible precaution.
Is there a medication that treats benzodiazepine dependence?
No. 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. Within 30 miles of Kingsport, the SAMHSA locator lists 39 facilities offering outpatient services.
Who do I call for benzo help in Kingsport?
The Tennessee REDLINE (1-800-889-9789) is a free, confidential, 24/7 referral line operated under TDMHSAS. You can also call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk with a treatment specialist. In an emergency, call 911; for a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988.