Question for anyone that's taken benzos long-term...

[IrisGr3y_]

It's said that over time one develops tolerance to its effects, causing dependence. You've heard it by now plenty of times.

What I wish to know is... how bad is this phenomenon? I use Clonazepam when I go out, so 0,5mg is enough to reduce the Social Anxiety by a very decent stretch. 1mg and I feel able to do many things without the annoying cortisol spikes.

Were I to become employed I'd have to use them everyday.

Will they stop working eventually?

I'd aim at getting healthier to have less of the dreaded cortisol spikes, since apparently I'm living in "Power Saving Mode", just won't manage that in the short term, so benzos are all I got for this particular issue.

 

[endboss]

Please only use them sparingly if at all. You do not want to become addicted to them, trust me. Please do more research. https://benzobuddies.org/ for example. Don't fall into the trap.<3

 

[IrisGr3y_]

Please only use them sparingly if at all. You do not want to become addicted to them, trust me. Please do more research. https://benzobuddies.org/ for example. Don't fall into the trap.<3

It's what I do for now.

But the risk of becoming addicted is there. I have way too much of cortisol spikes.

That's not a way to live.

 

[endboss]

Just don't get addicted. Cortisol spikes will be the least of your worries if you do. Can't you try something else like breathing exercises, quit caffeine, meditate, therapy.. try any of that stuff? If it has to be pills, why not antidepressants? They are safer and you can take them long term. There are some that also take care of social anxiety. Benzo addictions destroy lives. It is harder to come off that stuff than heroin, even on "low doses" and you get addicted quickly. Please stay safe!

 

[IrisGr3y_]

Just don't get addicted. Cortisol spikes will be the least of your worries if you do. Can't you try something else like breathing exercises, quit caffeine, meditate, therapy.. try any of that stuff? If it has to be pills, why not antidepressants? They are safer and you can take them long term. There are some that also take care of social anxiety. Benzo addictions destroy lives. It is harder to come off that stuff than heroin, even on "low doses" and you get addicted quickly. Please stay safe!

...

Have you actually used them?

 

[Atonal]

Ugh, I'm kind of in the same boat. Trying to find a balance between meds, employment, and just functioning at least more or less without ending up addicted to anything.

Benzos are rough though, taking them every day or even just on workdays doesn't really seem sustainable for me, tolerance builds very quickly.

Although some people manage to get by on a small dose without increasing it so I'm not sure. It sort of becomes the norm, something you simply can't function without at all and it doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary.
But withdrawal is really tough.

I'm trying to manage things with pregabalin and a few other GABA meds. And benzos occasionally, yeah. So I'm juggling a few different meds, switching between them. But I don't know how long I can keep this up.
So I can't really recommend it. They are still addictive and probably aren't a good fit for everyone or every condition.
For me it just seems a bit easier to keep under control without needing super high doses especially if I avoid taking them on days off.
Still shitty tho