Discussion My doctor has cut me off benzos and my suicidality has increased

[olvalgon]

So I was on 1mg of Xanax (alprazolam) since April of last year every day for a month. My psychiatrist put me on it. During Christmas, he said he'd take me off it as he didn't want me to get addicted. Now I've been completely off it for two weeks and feel like offing myself.

Has anyone here experienced this? My friend suggested I get vodka to help me with the withdrawals.

 

[Unicorns]

I got put on pregabalin instead of diazepam. Apparently it isn't as addictive and is very similar.

 

[Tackingintothewind]

I'd recommend talking to your doctor about it. Vodka is a depressant so I don't think it will help

 

[bad luck]

What a beast doctor. To remove alprazolam you use a long-acting benzo (diazepam) and go little by little.

 

[nothingleft]

This is my greatest fear. I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Benzos are extremely addictive. They can also be necessary. Do these psychiatrists have any idea how hard it is for severely depressed/severely anxious patients to moderate their use? The physical and mental affects of withdrawal scare the shit out of me. I hate dealing with my psychiatrist, and the only reason I see her is to make sure I'm not going to end up in the hell of withdrawal. A suicidal patient is not in the right space to attempt to get off benzos.

Please take care of yourself, OP, and feel free to reach out if you need any support.

 

[the_final_countdown]

So I was on 1mg of Xanax (alprazolam) since April of last year every day for a month. My psychiatrist put me on it. During Christmas, he said he'd take me off it as he didn't want me to get addicted. Now I've been completely off it for two weeks and feel like offing myself.

Has anyone here experienced this? My friend suggested I get vodka to help me with the withdrawals.

You need to go back and get another prescription. Then try to taper the medication.

Actually tapering might cause a rebound effect and cause more damage...

Look up benzodiazepine withdrawal and rebound symptoms.

 

[SuicidallyCurious]

I'm pretty sure you are not supposed to cut this medication cold Turkey at least at the high doses . Isn't it dangerous ?

 

[bad luck]

benzo.org.uk : Benzodiazepines: How They Work & How to Withdraw, Prof C H Ashton DM, FRCP, 2002

www.benzo.org.uk

On this page you have examples of how to decrease benzos. I did something similar, although in my case and due to circumstances I had to take them again 6 months later. If done correctly you will notice minor annoyances but nothing serious. I hope it gets better

 

[HopelessFight]

Find a better doctor. You got off this stuff way too quickly.

 

[Nurse T]

Yea I'm in uk, and all Drs pretty much refuse to prescribe Benzo now despite need and not being addictive, they don't listen to individual circumstances just a blanket ban, it's not fair!!!

 

[HopelessFight]

Yea I'm in uk, and all Drs pretty much refuse to prescribe Benzo now despite need and not being addictive, they don't listen to individual circumstances just a blanket ban, it's not fair!!!

Benzos are very addictive. I've been trying to get off them for years. I'm just surprised you're not getting them prescribed as usually doctors prescribe them as candy.

 

[Fragile]

If you really want to get off xanax, then the worst thing you can do is start using alcohol, these substances act on the same receptors so you will be basically substituting benzos with alcohol.

It was extremely unprofessional of your doctor to put you on a daily dose of xanax, even more so to make you quit cold turkey after being a daily user for so long, maybe you should find someone with actual experience on this, since benzo withdrawal can last for years and it may get really hard to manage on your own.

I got put on pregabalin instead of diazepam. Apparently it isn't as addictive and is very similar.

It's definitely addictive and can be just as recreational, but not nearly as strong as xanax. So this is a good idea, although I would suggest weaker substances like gabapentin or phenibut, they are often used in cases of long term abuse of either alcohol or strong benzos. but doctors don't use phenibut in most places.

 

[HopelessFight]

For me, Lyrica (pregabalin) is way more addictive than benzo's since it causes a high. It's also way more effective for me at the same time, making withdrawal from this very though. It's a completely different drug compared to benzo's.

 

[killedbypsychiatry]

As many has already mentioned this is really dangerous. Quitting 1mg Xanax after longer term use (more than 2-4 weeks) can cause withdrawal syndrome/ injury that lasts years, and indeed a withdrawal symptom is suicidal ideation. I was actually never suicidal before being cold turkey off psychiatric drugs. I believe the safest way to get off benzodiazepines is doing a slow taper, you can check out "The Ashton Manual" (https://www.benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual/) for tapering info, there's also sites like Benzo buddies that have info on benzodiazepine withdrawal and tapering. Also, it's known that the more time passes, the riskier it becomes to reinstate the drug.

 

[ClairyFairy]

Please don't start using alcohol to cope with this. Go back to the dr. You shouldn't just have it taken away like that. Because they go about addiction they make you feel like a druggie if you say it but honestly like someone else said they can put you on smaller doses of different types until your body is used to it. The dr is out of order leaving you. Take care

 

[olvalgon]

You need to go back and get another prescription. Then try to taper the medication.

Actually tapering might cause a rebound effect and cause more damage...

Look up benzodiazepine withdrawal and rebound symptoms.

I just got an emergency script from the ER for 10 benzos but now I'm broke as fuck...

 

[the_final_countdown]

I just got an emergency script from the ER for 10 benzos but now I'm broke as fuck...

You need to be very...very careful from here on out.

benzodiazepine withdrawal is one of the most brutal things a human being can endure. Research what needs to be done so you can taper successfully.

You can always do Instacart or DoorDash for funds.

 

[popcorn]

your doctor is an idiot taking u off benzos without a taper, it is very dangerous and the withdrawals are hellish, april to now is more than enough time for you to get addicted to it. your doctor is an liable!!!!

yes, your friend is right vodka will mask the withdrawals as they both work on gaba pathways

i would advise getting a new doctor and making a formal complaint! imagine how many people he has put in this situation before and hoe many he will do it again too

second to that try and find some diazepam or other long acting benzo and do a taper yourself. the good news is you are probably over the worst of it and will start to feel better soon

 

[olvalgon]

Well my medicine is €15...

 

[awfullife]

I think it was brutal but you've come this far, you can do it. Its ripping the bandaid off but those are awful for you long term. I'm sorry you have had to experience this. I have alcoholism btw - 8 years recovery...2 years recovery from adderall

Hang in there