artsoul

Welcome joe - sounds like you've made some good decisions!

Usually, an assessment is done at a rehab center by people who deal with addiction every day. They'll be able to evaluate where you're at, if you have any other possible issues, and your history of addiction and be able to make treatment recommendations. I think you'll be in good hands......

Lots of support here, too - glad you've joined us!

BullDog777

most addiction specialists prescribe a gradual taper program for getting off benzos. that seems to be the most painless way to do it.

As far as wanting to be who you were before all of this started, that's gonna be a tall order my friend. that proverbial "itch" you can't seem to scratch or the "urge to use and drink" will only ever go away if you follow a a good recovery program.

for most, if not all of us, this sickness... obsession...whatever you want to call it- has changed us forever.

that dosen't mean you can't get better or have a great life, but you have to do more than the avarage person to make sure you stay healthy and keep a good frame of mind.

you might want to check out the newcomers threads ...they have alot of good info there to help you early in recovery.

I was a half a gallon of whiskey a night drinker and was taking 6+mg of klonopin and chasing it with ambien almost daily. i went cold turkey almost 2 years ago and it almost killed me. i did have seizures and BP issues. i lost 40 pounds and couldn't get out of bed for a month. i do not reccommend doing things the way i did.

as far as the sleep, that answer is easy. your body is in a constant state of progressive withdrawal from the benzos and that's what's fueling the sleep issues. After my detox, i finally went to see an addictions counselor and that's what she told me.

once i finally got off of them, it took a few weeks for my body to get back to a normal rhythm, but it did. it was HARD to endure, but it was worth it.

now, i sleep normally, and it's a wonderful, wonderful thing.

Recovery is not easy. you'll never be the same, but you can be better. An please trust me when i tell you this...This road ....this way of recovery.... is the easier softer way.

please keep us updated regularly.

freethinking

I have a feeling, most decent doctors will want you to enter a 5 day detox facility. They are usually wings in hospitals. I have done a couple myself, specifically when I was on benzos and alcohol. I have unsafely detoxed from booze at home...but withdrawal from benzos and alcohol is the most dangerous type of withdrawal out there (more dangerous then heroin, crack, etc). The benefit of a detox place is they will administer the lithium or whatever it is they will give you to safely taper off. If you are addicted to benzos, I really doubt a good doctor is going to want to give you the prescription to help detox.

Good luck!

joedeertay

Hey all, and thank you for your comments, very much appreciated! I am posting this from you via phone in my bed at detox...i can't sleep one bit, its 5:30am... They said ' they dont do sleep...'and after 3 days of no sleep..then I WILL sleep'.... They just gave me lithium, nothing on the tapering... And I dunno, I think that detoxing from this would be a kitty easier if I could just get some sleep.... I WILL know more tmrw, errr today and keep yall updated. Thank you all for the support!

P.S. my roomate is a professional arena football player and Mann does this boy know how to snore lol fml jk he's a cool dude and i have earplugs

freshstart57

Joe, I came back to this thread for some inspiration from folks like Bulldog and Tantrix, people who demonstrated a true commitment to themselves and incredible strength of will. But what really brought a smile to my face this morning was your post from detox. You sound relieved and at peace with your choice even after a sleepless night.

Congratulations to you, Joe, and please keep inspiring others who need to hear that it is possible to choose the future they deserve. Keep doing this, OK?