lostmyway

As some of you know, I am on Librium for alcohol withdrawal. Unfortunately, the medication is producing some unpleasant side effects. Everything I eat and drink tastes like battery acid (or at least what I imagine battery acid would taste like.) I can't wake up for work in the morning. I have four alarm clocks and apparently they go off for an hour or more before I even open my eyes. I'm also wobbly...I kind of look like a staggering drunk, the irony being that I'm not drinking and haven't for 8 days now! This morning I finally got out of bed and fell face first onto the floor.

I know the simple answer to this is to talk to my doctor about my dose. But here's the thing...I AM NOT DRINKING. I'm sure it's not just the Librium that is helping to keep me sober, I have been going to church and AA as well. But I am only 27 and have been drinking since I was 13...that's half my life! I would do anything to stay sober now and I'm afraid that if I mess with the Librium, I might go back to the bottle. I may not feel that way in a few months or a year, but right now I need everything I can to help me stay sober.

Any suggestions?

bananagrrrl

Call your doctor! Maybe you are done with withdrawals and can go off of it. You won't know for sure unless you call/see your doctor.

Astro

I think you're doing the right thing, going to AA and church is a positive action. I took a med my first year sober and I believe it can be helpful, but I also believe (just my experience and opinion) that what really kept me sober was the program of AA.

Yes, the real answer is please talk to your doctor, working closely with your prescriber is crucial to taking any med, and ensuring that it's best for you and your recovery.

AustinJim

It is my experience , and that of others with detox meds that I couldn't rely on my physician to know how things were working if I didn't tell them. A lot of the general practitioners I have come across have a fairly limited understanding of chemical dependency and a lot of responsibility falls on the individual patient to communicate effectively to their doctor what they need. I have also known many people who benefited greatly from having their doctor consult with an addiction medicine specialist. If you read up and talk to your doctor, I imagine ya'll would be able to get things worked out.

Astro

AustinJim, thanks for joining us on SR. I hope you'll continue to share your recovery experience with our members. Welcome!

penny74

Librium had that effect on me too.
Your head will clear after a few days when you stop.
Maybe you can ask for something else ?
l thought librium made things almost as worse as without it.
Wish you the best.

Texasblind

Librium and other benzos are basically a cocktail in a pill, it produces the exact same effects as alcohol when taken long term and will produce an eerily similar withdrawal. You should be off Librium within 4 days.

It sounds like you need to contact your doc and now get withdrawn from the Librium.

lostmyway

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I struggle with an array of psychiatric disorders as well. The Librium was supposed to help not only with the alcohol withdrawal but with anxiety as well. At any rate, I will speak to the doctor. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts on this.

AustinJim

It is my understanding that Librium and other benzodiazepines act on the same receptors in the brain, so it is difficult if not impossible for alcoholics to take them long term and remain abstinent from alcohol. I've not known anyone to accomplish it, but definitely talk to your doctor. There are several other anxiety meds that are non addictive and not intoxicants like benzos. I really suggest consulting a physician who specializes in addiction medicine, otherwise it's almost impossible to make a truly informed decision.