benzo addiction

[edu0z]

Despite being prescribed, benzos can be very addictive and I find myself in a situation where I can't live without taking exaggerated doses of alprazolam every day because otherwise I feel like the anxiety will kill me., Many times I also mix them with alcohol for the effect increase... And I was wondering if there are any other people who are in the same situation or have gone through it and how managed to overcome it


I've been like this for almost a month, a psychiatrist prescribed them together with sertraline but after a week I needed to double the dose for them to take effect. It was only supposed to be a 3 month treatment but I'm almost running out of pills and I'm panicking just thinking what I'm going to do when they run out. How can I stop the dependency? I was researching and I saw that by gradually decreasing the dose I could stop them but I don't know. Any advice?

 

[searchingforpeace]

You need to get off Xanax and switch to a longer acting benzo even addivan but Klonopin or liprium or something like that xanax is by far the most addictive because it lasts in your system for like 5 minutes it's ridiculous

 

[edu0z]

You need to get off Xanax and switch to a longer acting benzo even addivan but Klonopin or liprium or something like that xanax is by far the most addictive because it lasts in your system for like 5 minutes it's ridiculous

Do you think that a long-term treatment with Clonazepam (Klonopin) could help to stop the addiction and also calm anxiety?
I don't know anything about benzodiazepines except that the first time I took alprazolam I felt great. As if all the problems went away and I could think clearly and work. But now they are a problem, I am determined to leave them.

 

[Stormy Raine]

I've been on benzos for a long time and I quit a few times cold turkey, I do not suggest that. I quit again a few days ago and today I was so sick then I realized why, benzo withdrawal so I quickly took another pill. It's best to speak to your dr to help you get off them, you've become dependent on them and that's not a good. Just be careful, i know it's hard

 

[AllFoxedOut]

do you experience physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them or drinking alcohol?

 

[xBrialesana]

Hey, have you only been on them a month @edu0z ?
I have a lot of experience with this, you can message me if you're comfortable.

 

[enough of this]

Despite being prescribed, benzos can be very addictive and I find myself in a situation where I can't live without taking exaggerated doses of alprazolam every day because otherwise I feel like the anxiety will kill me., Many times I also mix them with alcohol for the effect increase... And I was wondering if there are any other people who are in the same situation or have gone through it and how managed to overcome it


I've been like this for almost a month, a psychiatrist prescribed them together with sertraline but after a week I needed to double the dose for them to take effect. It was only supposed to be a 3 month treatment but I'm almost running out of pills and I'm panicking just thinking what I'm going to do when they run out. How can I stop the dependency? I was researching and I saw that by gradually decreasing the dose I could stop them but I don't know. Any advice?

You can ween off of them, but I'm pretty sure you're going to need some help with that.
I would get in touch with the psychiatrist and let him or her know what's going on.
I hope you'll be okay.

 

[befree]

How can I stop the dependency? I was researching and I saw that by gradually decreasing the dose I could stop them but I don't know. Any advice?

It´s recommended to decrease the dose step by step.
The withdrawal symptoms can be reduced by the amino acid L-Phenylalanine (between meals, not together with protein).

 

[FeyB]

There must have been huge mistakes by your psychiatrist if you are even brought to this point.
Nevertheless, it's shit but the only way is to reduce it step by step with a lot of fortitude of mind. If you can consult a medic outside of your psychiatrist and tell them about your problem. It's more common than you think it is and you might find support from other peers of yours

 

[toofargone6969]

Look up the Ashton manual. You need to slowly taper and switch to valium. Get off them asap.

 

[befree]

and switch to valium

This is not a good advice. You can also get addicted to Valium (Diazepam), a long acting benzodiazepine, very quickly !

 

[toofargone6969]

This is not good advice. You can also get addicted to Valium (Diazepam), a long acting benzodiazepine, very quickly !

You didnt read my post or understand it. The Ashton manual is the most comprehensive and well researched method to safely taper off benzodiazepenes after long term use which is generally 3 months or longer. A slow switch to valium while tapering down the equivalent dose is the way it's done. It's quite complicated and has to be individualized based on what benzo you're on and how often during the day, etc. Its safer and gentler than simply lowering the dose of xanax. It's done in a very slow incremental way to mitigate the horrible withdrawal. Valium is much longer acting than xanax/klon/ativan and why it's used for slow tapers for chronic benzo use/addiction. Please look up the Ashton manual before making comments like this please.

Also. The taper and slow switch to valium or whatever is deemed best must be done under the care of an experienced and patient psychiatrist. Most are unaware of how to safely taper patients off these horrible drugs.

 

[Meteora]

Benzo withdrawl is evil, I haven t experienced it myself but I know some people who did it.
First of all, do it slowly and gradually, no apprubt stopping.
Maybe you can substitute it with a less addictive medication.
Talk to your psychiatrist. Good luck .

 

[Dmoore3232]

 

[befree]

You didnt read my post or understand it. The Ashton manual is the most comprehensive and well researched method to safely taper off benzodiazepenes after long term use which is generally 3 months or longer. A slow switch to valium while tapering down the equivalent dose is the way it's done. It's quite complicated and has to be individualized based on what benzo you're on and how often during the day, etc. Its safer and gentler than simply lowering the dose of xanax. It's done in a very slow incremental way to mitigate the horrible withdrawal. Valium is much longer acting than xanax/klon/ativan and why it's used for slow tapers for chronic benzo use/addiction. Please look up the Ashton manual before making comments like this please.

Also. The taper and slow switch to valium or whatever is deemed best must be done under the care of an experienced and patient psychiatrist. Most are unaware of how to safely taper patients off these horrible drugs.

No I didn´t read your "Ashton manual". You don´t have to explain to me what benzos are...etc.. But we don't have to argue about competencies and medical knowledge. This was reason enough to say, that your advise was wrong: "switch to valium". A dangerous advise.

 

[ChromeCake]

There must have been huge mistakes by your psychiatrist if you are even brought to this point.

I'm not generally one to defend pyciatry, but its not really the psychiatrists fault if his patient takes more than prescribed and mixes with alcohol.


OP, the only way to get better is to stop, but you are right that you can't do it cold turkey. Talk to your psychiatrist about weening off. I'm no doctor, but I wouldn't recommend just switching to a different benzo unless you plan to use it to ween. You have to stop using benzos altogether. You will never get better unless you completely stop. Everything benzos treat gets worse without them. It's a vicious cycle. You are only putting it off and making what's to come worse by not stopping now. They are not a long term solution. Best of luck to you.

 

[FeyB]

I'm not generally one to defend pyciatry, but its not really the psychiatrists fault if his patient takes more than prescribed and mixes with alcohol.



OP, the only way to get better is to stop, but you are right that you can't do it cold turkey. Talk to your psychiatrist about weening off. I'm no doctor, but I wouldn't recommend just switching to a different benzo unless you plan to use it to ween. You have to stop using benzos altogether. You will never get better unless you completely stop. Everything with benzos just gets worse over time. You are only putting it off and making what's to come worse by not stopping now. They are not a long term solution.

If you put it that way yes. I might have missread i thought the therapy lasted so long the benzos didn't work.
Depends on the user I thought he said he handle prescription correctly and then passed to alchool as last resort.
In the case of overdosage yea if the patient does it behind the back of the psychiatrist its totally his fault you are right about that
nice bloodborne pfp btw

 

[edu0z]

I'm not generally one to defend pyciatry, but its not really the psychiatrists fault if his patient takes more than prescribed and mixes with alcohol.



OP, the only way to get better is to stop, but you are right that you can't do it cold turkey. Talk to your psychiatrist about weening off. I'm no doctor, but I wouldn't recommend just switching to a different benzo unless you plan to use it to ween. You have to stop using benzos altogether. You will never get better unless you completely stop. Everything benzos treat gets worse without them. It's a vicious cycle. You are only putting it off and making what's to come worse by not stopping now. They are not a long term solution. Best of luck to you.

its totally my fault... I told my mom today that I was abused the threament and she call me and addict and she is right. I'm and addict , I now, thats why I want to stop. But its not ease. I tried to no take it a single pill yesterday and my head feel like it will explode. Today I make a calendary to slowly decreasy the dosis durin the next 3 weeks until finally left then(its the best I can do with the supply I have left)... Only left the will to do it. And I want to do it, i want stop

You didnt read my post or understand it. The Ashton manual is the most comprehensive and well researched method to safely taper off benzodiazepenes after long term use which is generally 3 months or longer. A slow switch to valium while tapering down the equivalent dose is the way it's done. It's quite complicated and has to be individualized based on what benzo you're on and how often during the day, etc. Its safer and gentler than simply lowering the dose of xanax. It's done in a very slow incremental way to mitigate the horrible withdrawal. Valium is much longer acting than xanax/klon/ativan and why it's used for slow tapers for chronic benzo use/addiction. Please look up the Ashton manual before making comments like this please.

Also. The taper and slow switch to valium or whatever is deemed best must be done under the care of an experienced and patient psychiatrist. Most are unaware of how to safely taper patients off these horrible drugs.

I will readit... thanks a lot for share the knwolege

There must have been huge mistakes by your psychiatrist if you are even brought to this point.
Nevertheless, it's shit but the only way is to reduce it step by step with a lot of fortitude of mind. If you can consult a medic outside of your psychiatrist and tell them about your problem. It's more common than you think it is and you might find support from other peers of yours

she prescribe us this because our incapability to control our feelings que conlleva a que nos disociemos al minimo signo de peligro y nuestra cabeza se vuelva una jungla. Nos era imposible tomar una decision sobre las cosas mas banales(supongo que a todas las personas con TID les ocurre) A pesar de todo eso he decidido que voy a ocuparme de ahora en adelante para que no vuelva a ocurrir, fue mi error dejar a cargo a una chica con depresion. La doctora lo hizo con la mejor de las intenciones, no es su culpa, solo queria ayudarnos

 

[leap_from_life]

Despite being prescribed, benzos can be very addictive and I find myself in a situation where I can't live without taking exaggerated doses of alprazolam every day because otherwise I feel like the anxiety will kill me., Many times I also mix them with alcohol for the effect increase... And I was wondering if there are any other people who are in the same situation or have gone through it and how managed to overcome it


I've been like this for almost a month, a psychiatrist prescribed them together with sertraline but after a week I needed to double the dose for them to take effect. It was only supposed to be a 3 month treatment but I'm almost running out of pills and I'm panicking just thinking what I'm going to do when they run out. How can I stop the dependency? I was researching and I saw that by gradually decreasing the dose I could stop them but I don't know. Any advice?

Hi, I'm drug addict. I was heavily addicted to pregabalin and xans, same as you, but for 3 years. Talk to your doctor as you can't quit immediately, you have to slowly taper your doses, it's hard thing to do but it's not impossible darling, I was addicted to the point I couldn't imagine sober life, now im off pregabalin for 6 months and 2 off benzos. The worst issue in addiction is you regulated your emotions abusing substances so it's never ending story til you learn how to deal with emotions without pills etc. So as I already said 1. Call your doctor, you will need some other meds like promethazine or something to survive the worst moments 2. Tell them about your plan- tapering dose, ask about advice 3. Make sure you have some spare days. It will be difficult to make anything except staying home when withdrawals kick. Good luck honey <3 you CAN do that

 

[edu0z]

You can ween off of them, but I'm pretty sure you're going to need some help with that.
I would get in touch with the psychiatrist and let him or her know what's going on.
I hope you'll be okay.

Muchas gracias por la recomendacion pero preferiria no acudir a mas ayuda psiquiatrica. Todo iba bien hasta que me tome un descanso

 

[leap_from_life]

Also check this website

Welcome to benzo.org.uk : Main Page

benzo.org.uk : Benzodiazepine tranquilliser addiction, withdrawal and recovery

www.benzo.org.uk

This is incredibly helpful

 

[edu0z]

Hi, I'm drug addict. I was heavily addicted to pregabalin and xans, same as you, but for 3 years. Talk to your doctor as you can't quit immediately, you have to slowly taper your doses, it's hard thing to do but it's not impossible darling, I was addicted to the point I couldn't imagine sober life, now im off pregabalin for 6 months and 2 off benzos. The worst issue in addiction is you regulated your emotions abusing substances so it's never ending story til you learn how to deal with emotions without pills etc. So as I already said 1. Call your doctor, you will need some other meds like promethazine or something to survive the worst moments 2. Tell them about your plan- tapering dose, ask about advice 3. Make sure you have some spare days. It will be difficult to make anything except staying home when withdrawals kick. Good luck honey <3 you CAN do that

Al principipio solo duplique la dosis que me habian prescrito. Las 3 veces al dia que debia tomarlas, tomaba 2 pastillas cada vez. Luego era 5, en ese punto me decia que cada dia seria el ultimo... pero todos los dias igual. Then we started to mix the with alcohol(only the wickend, but soon become something regular 2 o 3 times per week). Ahora no puedo imaginar la vida sin las pildoras pero supongo que es porque mi cerebro ya esta acostumbrado a ese estado quimico. Eres un gran ejemplo y me llenas de coraje, Muchas gracias, LOVE

 

[ChromeCake]

its totally my fault... I told my mom today that I was abused the threament and she call me and addict and she is right. I'm and addict , I now, thats why I want to stop. But its not ease. I tried to no take it a single pill yesterday and my head feel like it will explode. Today I make a calendary to slowly decreasy the dosis durin the next 3 weeks until finally left then(its the best I can do with the supply I have left)... Only left the will to do it. And I want to do it, i want stop

How much have you been taking? Your commitment to stop is a very good thing, but you need to be careful how you do it. You could have a seizure. Benzo withdrawl can be deadly. You might want to consult with your psychiatrist about how to do it. He may need to give you more. Just don't let him get you hooked on anything else. The goal is to be drug free and the only thing psychiatrists have in their fucked up tool box is drugs, drugs that in my opinion harm people more often then help them, as in your case. There are many accounts of people whose lives have been ruined by psychiatric medicine on these boards. And pyciatrists are never held accountable for the harm they cause. Proceed with caution engaging with them. Be aware that if you are open with them about the full extent of your addiction it could land you in rehab. You might need it though.

I know it's hard. Benzos are nightmare drugs. The problems they treat are already a nightmare to deal with, and they fix them like magic, but it all builds up and hits you 100 times worse eventually. Recovery is going to be hell. Stay strong. I wish you the best.

 

[edu0z]

Thanks to all for the help. I started two days ago to reduce the treatment half a pill every two days (2.5mg) starting with 6 pills. I still consume a large amount but less than what I used to consume (9-12 pills a day). It's still too fast to know if it works but at least I haven't had seizures despite cutting the dose almost in half (although the anxiety gets pretty strong sometimes. I'm taking 3/2*1p in the morning, 1p at noon and 2p at night, which is when everything gets worse. I am reducing the amount by half a pill consecutively starting in the morning. That is, then I would take 1p, 1p, 2p... then 1/2*1p, 1p ,2p... then 1/2*1p,1/2*1p,2p...then 1/2*1p,1/2*1p,3/4*2p, ten 0p,1/2*1p,3/4*2p... and so on). I don't know if it's too slow, but the proportion and time is the same as the original recipe.

 

[020x]

My doctor also prescribed alprazolam and sertraline to help against my panic disorder which I first experienced 3 months ago. Still taking 0.5mg of alprazolam daily while avoiding going outside as much as I can. I know it's hard, all people that experience(d) our pain will agree.

If your anxiety and panic is unbearable to cope with, I don't know if it would be right to tell you to stop using the medication, but switching to longer lasting ones is not a bad idea if that is more important to you. However it's of course better to never have to use meds again and be dependant on them, but it would be a miracle if you somehow managed to overwin your mental condition. I only would had wished that it would be possible for me, but I've already lost hope and motivation to do something as I'm literally trapped by this life.

Hopefully you'll be luckier than me though and will fully recover from this, hopefully life will give you a chance. Good luck and stay strong

 

[ihatethisplanet]

Xanax was misery for me. I got temporary relief from panic only to have it come back two times harder. My psych didn't tell me that it can cause rebound anxiety.

I was put on Klonopin and my anxiety improved greatly, but there is always a small part of me wanting it. I use it as needed and never more than the prescribed amount, but I'd be taking those things far more regularly if they were easy to get. It's the only thing other than maybe a game or video that helps ease my worry and tension.

The whole class of drugs is a blessing and curse. My mom has her tiny amount of Xanax on hand that provides her relief when her anxiety flares, but she seems immune to how much better it makes you feel. My grandfather was an alcoholic so maybe there's an addict gene in me, but I have to fight the feeling of wanting it all the time. It's not a physical addiction for me because I can stop it without problems, but it is a mental one.