I was on benzos for many years though never took more than directed. In my IOP I was told that it is especially important to get off benzos for alcoholics because they affect the same receptors in the brain. I wanted to get off anyway but after about 20 years, it wasn't easy. It took me about 8 months to slowly taper off. Now I'm down to the tiniest possible dose occasionally (about once or twice a month) and plan to be off completely very soon. I could only obtain that tiny dose via special order - my pdoc wasn't aware that it existed in that dosage until I told him about it.