Addicted to Benzodiazepines
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2
Addicted to Benzodiazepines
Hey guys. My name is Tom, I live in Canada, and I have a major addiction problem.
I've been on Benzodiazepines under the watch of my Psychiatrist for about 6 years now. It's gotten to the point where he has me on 6mg of Clonazepam a day, and up to 2mg lorazepam as needed.
I feel like I'm stuck in a big black hole with them. I tried to taper off of them. I reduced the clonazepam by the lowest dose you can, 0.5mg removed per week. Within 3 days, I was having severe heart palpitations, severe anxiety, insomnia, and things along those lines. They're part of the withdrawal symptoms (look up benzodiazepine withdrawal on wikipedia and tell me you're not impressed by all the symptoms, lol.)
I feel like I can't do a safe withdrawal from the and even if I was able to, it would take at least a year to get off of them and use them as needed.
Anyway I apologize, I thought i'd begin by sharing my story with benzo addiction, because really that's the underlying theme of why I signed up.
I look forward to speaking with you guys!
I've been on Benzodiazepines under the watch of my Psychiatrist for about 6 years now. It's gotten to the point where he has me on 6mg of Clonazepam a day, and up to 2mg lorazepam as needed.
I feel like I'm stuck in a big black hole with them. I tried to taper off of them. I reduced the clonazepam by the lowest dose you can, 0.5mg removed per week. Within 3 days, I was having severe heart palpitations, severe anxiety, insomnia, and things along those lines. They're part of the withdrawal symptoms (look up benzodiazepine withdrawal on wikipedia and tell me you're not impressed by all the symptoms, lol.)
I feel like I can't do a safe withdrawal from the and even if I was able to, it would take at least a year to get off of them and use them as needed.
Anyway I apologize, I thought i'd begin by sharing my story with benzo addiction, because really that's the underlying theme of why I signed up.
I look forward to speaking with you guys!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Originally Posted by TomBom 
I feel like I can't do a safe withdrawal from the and even if I was able to, it would take at least a year to get off of them and use them as needed.
The fact is, you can withdraw safely off of benzos. There are many members here that have done just that.
Have you discussed with your doctor the fact that you are addicted and want to stop? I would start there. Then look into other support options like detox, treatment, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.
Also, once you have been addicted to a substance and have successfully quit, you will not be able to "use them as needed" ever again. It's just not possible without risking re-addiction. Staying sober often requires setting aside the use of all mood-altering substances, including alcohol.
Stick around, read as much as you can, and post often. You will find a lot of support here. You can use the search feature and find posts specific to benzos. Welcome aboard!
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,780
to SR! We have a special forum for substance abuse. Here's the link. I hope you find it helpful. 
Substance Abuse - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,126
As a benzo survivor, thanks for posting. I believe following the Ashton Manual that your taper of .5 milligrams a week is a little steep. And, yes, tapering from 6 milligrams will be a long, difficult process.
I suggest you research and find a doctor versed in benzo withdrawal. I saw the same shrink for a decade at towards the end he had me on 20 milligrams of Klonopin. I was a willing participant in that experiment and it didn't end pretty.
I went cold turkey from that dosage.
There's tons of evidence online that switching to Valium and tapering very slowly over a long time will lessen withdrawal and help you avoid protracted withdrawal symptoms.
I will avoid my tirade against physicians who keep people on a benzo long term and that mistreat the same patient in improper tapering.
I suggest you research and find a doctor versed in benzo withdrawal. I saw the same shrink for a decade at towards the end he had me on 20 milligrams of Klonopin. I was a willing participant in that experiment and it didn't end pretty.
I went cold turkey from that dosage.
There's tons of evidence online that switching to Valium and tapering very slowly over a long time will lessen withdrawal and help you avoid protracted withdrawal symptoms.
I will avoid my tirade against physicians who keep people on a benzo long term and that mistreat the same patient in improper tapering.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and sharing your experience.
The thing is, I'm not abusing the benzos, I'm taking them as prescribed. I tried the detox route but they don't take people who are addicted to benzos because of the chance you could die.
Let me explain something about benzodiazepines. This is not a mental addiction. This is a physical addiction, and if I were to suddenly stop taking them, I'd be facing seizures, catatonia, possible coma, the ways I could die from a withdrawal are endless. Mentally I am not addicted to them. My body crys out for them. It wakes me up at 9AM, every day, no matter what time I go to bed, and will not let me get back to sleep untill i've taken 2mg clonazepam.
My psychiatrist is well aware of the physical addiction, but isn't really doing much about it. He thinks that tapering off of benzos is like falling off a log, when really, it's worse than opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal won't kill you, but this can.
Also thank you MemphisBlues, for sharing your experience! I brought up the idea of switching to valium to taper off but my p-doc just thinks it will make things harder. He has a major egotistical complex and thinks he know everything very definitively. Stubborn, my psychiatrist is I guess.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome
The thing is, I'm not abusing the benzos, I'm taking them as prescribed. I tried the detox route but they don't take people who are addicted to benzos because of the chance you could die.
Let me explain something about benzodiazepines. This is not a mental addiction. This is a physical addiction, and if I were to suddenly stop taking them, I'd be facing seizures, catatonia, possible coma, the ways I could die from a withdrawal are endless. Mentally I am not addicted to them. My body crys out for them. It wakes me up at 9AM, every day, no matter what time I go to bed, and will not let me get back to sleep untill i've taken 2mg clonazepam.
My psychiatrist is well aware of the physical addiction, but isn't really doing much about it. He thinks that tapering off of benzos is like falling off a log, when really, it's worse than opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal won't kill you, but this can.
Also thank you MemphisBlues, for sharing your experience! I brought up the idea of switching to valium to taper off but my p-doc just thinks it will make things harder. He has a major egotistical complex and thinks he know everything very definitively. Stubborn, my psychiatrist is I guess.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome
Grateful to be free
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,680
Benzo wd's are a *itch. I think it is well worth talking to a different dr who understands the situation better and appreciates all that is involved.
A dr who doesn't recognize or respect the seriousness of the situation is not going to be able to help you but there are good docs out there who are familiar with this process.
I'm glad you are here, there is lots of experience and support on the substance abuse section here. You can get through this.
A dr who doesn't recognize or respect the seriousness of the situation is not going to be able to help you but there are good docs out there who are familiar with this process.
I'm glad you are here, there is lots of experience and support on the substance abuse section here. You can get through this.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Nutmegger
Posts: 1,799
Hi Tom and welcome. I detoxed from 4mgs of Klonopin a day as well as Ambien and alcohol. I had been on the benzos for about 10 years for fibromyalgia. It is very upsetting that it is a lot easier to find a doctor to write a script than it is to find one to help you detox. Washing down Klonopin and Ambien, and Benadryl with vodka is a pretty scary concoction...I honestly did not understand. The klonopin was prescribed by a doctor....it doesn't matter, I was still addicted. I did become very aware in the last 4 months that even though someone is an MD, doesn't mean they understand anything about addiction.
I found an addiction therapist in June, she referred me to a new p-doc. I ended the relationship with the other doctor. It sounds like you might consider finding a new doctor...perhaps in the addiction field. Everyone I have talked to that deals with addiction has impressed upon me the dangers of benzos.
The fact that your doctor is so laissez-faire about withdrawal is a huge red flag to me.
Alcohol was really my drug of choice. I detoxed in a medical facility. The Klonopin was the only one I tapered..about 2 1/2 weeks. Would you consider an inpatient facility? It helped a lot to know that someone else was monitoring me in case I got into trouble......
I am glad you found SR, it has been invaluable to me.
I found an addiction therapist in June, she referred me to a new p-doc. I ended the relationship with the other doctor. It sounds like you might consider finding a new doctor...perhaps in the addiction field. Everyone I have talked to that deals with addiction has impressed upon me the dangers of benzos.
The fact that your doctor is so laissez-faire about withdrawal is a huge red flag to me.
Alcohol was really my drug of choice. I detoxed in a medical facility. The Klonopin was the only one I tapered..about 2 1/2 weeks. Would you consider an inpatient facility? It helped a lot to know that someone else was monitoring me in case I got into trouble......
I am glad you found SR, it has been invaluable to me.
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Probably my living room. Maybe my bedroom if I'm feeling lazy
Posts: 1,085
Hi Tom,
6mg a day of Klonopin is a pretty high dose. Why did you start taking the benzos in the first place. Anxiety?
Why do you wish to stop now?
Benzo withdrawal is tough but can be done. I had to do a short taper when I was in rehab (only 10 days down to 0) and it was hell. But I had nurses monitoring me 24/7.
If you're not satisfied with your psychiatrist, find a different one.
6mg a day of Klonopin is a pretty high dose. Why did you start taking the benzos in the first place. Anxiety?
Why do you wish to stop now?
Benzo withdrawal is tough but can be done. I had to do a short taper when I was in rehab (only 10 days down to 0) and it was hell. But I had nurses monitoring me 24/7.
If you're not satisfied with your psychiatrist, find a different one.
AlmA
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Marbella Spain
Posts: 714
Hi tom,
I quitted alcohol in feb/2012 and started taking lorazepan and valeriana ...
To cope... and sometimes I ended up mixing it... etc...
but I just kept on convincing the docs to give me more due to my anxiety...
Never said it was to get stoned obviously...
So by Sep/12 I decided I had to stop...
God nearly went mad... I really did... and I was working...
I will never forget that week...
crying... running... driving... and I thought I was loosing my head...
BUT GOT OUT...
then again in Jan/13 I got a box of Alprazolam
big mistake... just took a couple and starting loosing it again.
I even got flashes of seen the pills in my head...
A friend of mine took them away... I just could not get rid of them...
It is hard to get hold of them...
a couple of months ago... I got another box...
and I still have it... and will not let it go of my side...
Big mistake... I took one on Saturday + pot...
and I had a horrible week with my head messing around...
This is no life...
I took for very little time... and was a hell!!!!
You have been for a long time.... you have to be patience and strong!!
Get all the support you can get... Doctors... friends.. family...
I can not imagine what you are going through....
but you just got to do it...
IT IS HARD BUT IT CAN BE DONE
JUST SAY IT... I HAVE HAD ENOUGH
I WANT A LIFE...
DO NOT WAIT FOR ANOTHER DAY...
I quitted alcohol in feb/2012 and started taking lorazepan and valeriana ...
To cope... and sometimes I ended up mixing it... etc...
but I just kept on convincing the docs to give me more due to my anxiety...
Never said it was to get stoned obviously...
So by Sep/12 I decided I had to stop...
God nearly went mad... I really did... and I was working...
I will never forget that week...
crying... running... driving... and I thought I was loosing my head...
BUT GOT OUT...
then again in Jan/13 I got a box of Alprazolam
big mistake... just took a couple and starting loosing it again.
I even got flashes of seen the pills in my head...
A friend of mine took them away... I just could not get rid of them...
It is hard to get hold of them...
a couple of months ago... I got another box...
and I still have it... and will not let it go of my side...
Big mistake... I took one on Saturday + pot...
and I had a horrible week with my head messing around...
This is no life...
I took for very little time... and was a hell!!!!
You have been for a long time.... you have to be patience and strong!!
Get all the support you can get... Doctors... friends.. family...
I can not imagine what you are going through....
but you just got to do it...
IT IS HARD BUT IT CAN BE DONE
JUST SAY IT... I HAVE HAD ENOUGH
I WANT A LIFE...
DO NOT WAIT FOR ANOTHER DAY...
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,126
Tom: I would find a new shrink. ASAP. And I would shop around among addiction specialists to find one versed in benzo addiction and withdrawal. Educate yourself. Print out the Ashton Manual. Study it. Take it with you to your shrink and ask (demand) that he read it. Frankly, any shrink that has maintained you on that dosage for a long time isn't going to buy into the precautions described in the Ashton Manual. His bread and butter is to write scripts for benzos. It kept you as a happy camper for a long time and it's his income, so why should he suddenly adopt a view that benzos are hideously dangerous when those who do are quickly labeled as anti psychiatry?
My ex shrink is considered a regional expert in the field of depression and anxiety and at one time had me on a dose of 30 milligrams of Klonopin. Not a typo. I was able to get down to 20 milligrams and while he suggested I get down to a lower dose, he never, not once, let on to the dangers I faced, nor did he ever push the issue.
That your shrink sees it as no big deal weaning from 6 milligrams is no surprise. In fact, it would probably be a surprise to him that medical journals abound with articles out there that benzos should be a last-ditch treatment for extreme panic and unrelenting anxiety and a short-term treatment at that. Like weeks, not years. And all manufacturing labeling for benzos contain the same warning as well as a warning of protracted withdrawal possibilities.
Find a new shrink. This isn't going to be easy. If you are suffering when you reduce by a half of milligram than you for sure need to find a professional versed in the dangers of this stuff.
I would also spend more time searching for a credible professional to help you and less time reading the horror stories from those who struggle to get off benzos. If you are like me, you will expect and can probably manifest the symptoms folks are screaming about.
I have read stories of many people who have tapered from a dose you were on and are OK. They survived. It wasn't easy. I cold-turkeyed from 20 milligrams as a prescribed daily dose and survived. I won't go into the periods of pure psychosis I went through, the days of heart palpitations, stroke-level blood pressure readings, the 10 days of no sleep, the mini seizures, or the weeks of muscle spasms, on and and on. OK, I did go into it.
It took a year to heal. But that was going cold turkey from a mega dose. AND. I. DID. HEAL. I'm three years out from my last benzo and I am OK.
From what I read, death from benzo detox is rare. Very rare. Yes, you can have seizures with abrupt cessation, but documented cases of death from benzo detox is very hard to find in the literature. I'm no expert, just a layman with a morbid fascination of the subject.
With a quick search, Google shows me several doctors in Ontario specializing in benzo addiction and withdrawal and buy into the principles of Heather Ashton. I am not allowed to post links here.
But here are some names:
Dr. Martin Judson (addiction and substance abuse specialist)
240 Wharncliffe Road
London, Ontario
Dr. Stevien M. Melemis,
208 Bloor St. West, Suite 702
Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 416-920-2982
Email: [email protected].
Web site: ADDICTIONSANDRECOVERY.ORG
Contributor comment: "This doctor will help people with a slow taper off benzodiazepines and believes in Ashton. He is an addiction doctor and may approach the problem from that perspective."
Dr. Senthelol... Psychiatrist
Kitchener, Ontario
Phone: 519-749-4300 ext.3829
Contributor Comment: "When I went in for consultation she diagnosed me with Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, she based this on the heather Ashton manual."
My ex shrink is considered a regional expert in the field of depression and anxiety and at one time had me on a dose of 30 milligrams of Klonopin. Not a typo. I was able to get down to 20 milligrams and while he suggested I get down to a lower dose, he never, not once, let on to the dangers I faced, nor did he ever push the issue.
That your shrink sees it as no big deal weaning from 6 milligrams is no surprise. In fact, it would probably be a surprise to him that medical journals abound with articles out there that benzos should be a last-ditch treatment for extreme panic and unrelenting anxiety and a short-term treatment at that. Like weeks, not years. And all manufacturing labeling for benzos contain the same warning as well as a warning of protracted withdrawal possibilities.
Find a new shrink. This isn't going to be easy. If you are suffering when you reduce by a half of milligram than you for sure need to find a professional versed in the dangers of this stuff.
I would also spend more time searching for a credible professional to help you and less time reading the horror stories from those who struggle to get off benzos. If you are like me, you will expect and can probably manifest the symptoms folks are screaming about.
I have read stories of many people who have tapered from a dose you were on and are OK. They survived. It wasn't easy. I cold-turkeyed from 20 milligrams as a prescribed daily dose and survived. I won't go into the periods of pure psychosis I went through, the days of heart palpitations, stroke-level blood pressure readings, the 10 days of no sleep, the mini seizures, or the weeks of muscle spasms, on and and on. OK, I did go into it.
It took a year to heal. But that was going cold turkey from a mega dose. AND. I. DID. HEAL. I'm three years out from my last benzo and I am OK.
From what I read, death from benzo detox is rare. Very rare. Yes, you can have seizures with abrupt cessation, but documented cases of death from benzo detox is very hard to find in the literature. I'm no expert, just a layman with a morbid fascination of the subject.
With a quick search, Google shows me several doctors in Ontario specializing in benzo addiction and withdrawal and buy into the principles of Heather Ashton. I am not allowed to post links here.
But here are some names:
Dr. Martin Judson (addiction and substance abuse specialist)
240 Wharncliffe Road
London, Ontario
Dr. Stevien M. Melemis,
208 Bloor St. West, Suite 702
Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 416-920-2982
Email: [email protected].
Web site: ADDICTIONSANDRECOVERY.ORG
Contributor comment: "This doctor will help people with a slow taper off benzodiazepines and believes in Ashton. He is an addiction doctor and may approach the problem from that perspective."
Dr. Senthelol... Psychiatrist
Kitchener, Ontario
Phone: 519-749-4300 ext.3829
Contributor Comment: "When I went in for consultation she diagnosed me with Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, she based this on the heather Ashton manual."
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Nutmegger
Posts: 1,799
Memphis, you really bring up a good point about the bread and butter. Two psychiatrists ago I was going into NYC once a month. I would go to this psychiatrist's office, in a very posh building on upper east side. Pay to park, sit there and talk about the opera for 45 minutes and leave with my klonopin and ambien scripts. Might have had a bit more gloss but I might as well have been meeting a dealer in an alley. I realized this and found a new doctor, who tried, he was lovely, but still naive about addiction.
You have to be proactive about recovery. Yes, it is too bad that there are irresponsible doctors out there, but once I understood that I was addicted, it was and always will be my issue. I did find help, but I had to look else ware for it. I think Memphis gave some excellent leads.
You have to be proactive about recovery. Yes, it is too bad that there are irresponsible doctors out there, but once I understood that I was addicted, it was and always will be my issue. I did find help, but I had to look else ware for it. I think Memphis gave some excellent leads.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: sydney
Posts: 142
Hello and welcome,
I withdrew cold turkey from a long term xanax addiction. Itw as prescribed for me as treatment for PTSD and I do not reccomend cold turkey to anyone. The side effects were almost enough to drive me crazy plus I was on the verge of fitting with electric convulsions occurring frequently. Dont even mention to not sleeping for days. Tapering is the recommended way to go but I needed to do it rapidly. On a positive note the nightmare that it was has mentally scarred me and I would never take another pill ever again due to the memory. The support of the online coomunity has been great. Good luck.
I withdrew cold turkey from a long term xanax addiction. Itw as prescribed for me as treatment for PTSD and I do not reccomend cold turkey to anyone. The side effects were almost enough to drive me crazy plus I was on the verge of fitting with electric convulsions occurring frequently. Dont even mention to not sleeping for days. Tapering is the recommended way to go but I needed to do it rapidly. On a positive note the nightmare that it was has mentally scarred me and I would never take another pill ever again due to the memory. The support of the online coomunity has been great. Good luck.
Guest
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 609
I think you could go here and not only help yerself but Mike.
Just a suggestion
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-months-3.html
Just a suggestion
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-months-3.html
Grateful
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 1,763
Tom,
I just recently completed a taper off of Lorazapem in which I was taking 4-6mg daily (was on Clonazepam for close to a decade before that). My p-doc used a method similar to the "Ashton Manual" method and I just recently finished and I am benzo free. It took about 5 months, and although it was relatively painless I still had some "uncomfortable" times after each cut in dose and at the end. The taper method does work, but you have to be patient and you have to do your part. There is no way I could taper off of alcohol because I had the mental obsession for it as well as the physical craving, but I didn't have a mental obsession for benzos so I found that I was able to stick to the taper plan pretty well.
I also quit Ambien cold turkey right in the middle of my taper (might not want to try this at home). I ran out of pills on a Friday and was not going to be able to get any more until Monday at the earliest. After 3 days of c-t I just decided to keep going. It didn't seem to affect my taper routine, I was just wide awake to experience a lot more of it for about a week.
MemphisBlues makes a lot of good points about finding the right p-doc to help you with this. I had one p-doc who told me that since I had been on benzos for so long it would just be easier to keep me on a maintenance dose. When I started seeing my current p-doc he was happy that I wanted to get off of the benzos and the Ambien and was willing to work with me to achieve that goal. It really comes down to you and your p-doc though. I can give you my experience on the matter but it should not be taken as medical advice.
I have worked in the medical field for many years (as well as a patient for 2 heart surgeries), and I always try to stress that the doctor works for the patient. I always try to take an active role in my relationships with my docs, and yes my surgeons too. In order to do this I need to educate myself on my condition(s) so I am able to discuss all of my options when it comes to my care. When I had my heart valve surgeries I didn't just blindly let my surgeon select which valve was going to be used. I researched them all and had an informed discussion with him, then WE made the best choice based on my needs and his expertise.
If you have 3 p-docs sitting in a room one might tell you to go cold-turkey, one might tell you to rapid taper, and one might tell you to slow taper. LOL a fourth might poke his head in the door and tell you to just stay on a maintenance dose. They are all professionals and I wouldn't question their ability to practice medicine, but having researched bezo addiction, tapers, and withdrawal symptoms I can make an informed decision on what I think is best for me.
I just recently completed a taper off of Lorazapem in which I was taking 4-6mg daily (was on Clonazepam for close to a decade before that). My p-doc used a method similar to the "Ashton Manual" method and I just recently finished and I am benzo free. It took about 5 months, and although it was relatively painless I still had some "uncomfortable" times after each cut in dose and at the end. The taper method does work, but you have to be patient and you have to do your part. There is no way I could taper off of alcohol because I had the mental obsession for it as well as the physical craving, but I didn't have a mental obsession for benzos so I found that I was able to stick to the taper plan pretty well.
I also quit Ambien cold turkey right in the middle of my taper (might not want to try this at home). I ran out of pills on a Friday and was not going to be able to get any more until Monday at the earliest. After 3 days of c-t I just decided to keep going. It didn't seem to affect my taper routine, I was just wide awake to experience a lot more of it for about a week.
MemphisBlues makes a lot of good points about finding the right p-doc to help you with this. I had one p-doc who told me that since I had been on benzos for so long it would just be easier to keep me on a maintenance dose. When I started seeing my current p-doc he was happy that I wanted to get off of the benzos and the Ambien and was willing to work with me to achieve that goal. It really comes down to you and your p-doc though. I can give you my experience on the matter but it should not be taken as medical advice.
I have worked in the medical field for many years (as well as a patient for 2 heart surgeries), and I always try to stress that the doctor works for the patient. I always try to take an active role in my relationships with my docs, and yes my surgeons too. In order to do this I need to educate myself on my condition(s) so I am able to discuss all of my options when it comes to my care. When I had my heart valve surgeries I didn't just blindly let my surgeon select which valve was going to be used. I researched them all and had an informed discussion with him, then WE made the best choice based on my needs and his expertise.
If you have 3 p-docs sitting in a room one might tell you to go cold-turkey, one might tell you to rapid taper, and one might tell you to slow taper. LOL a fourth might poke his head in the door and tell you to just stay on a maintenance dose. They are all professionals and I wouldn't question their ability to practice medicine, but having researched bezo addiction, tapers, and withdrawal symptoms I can make an informed decision on what I think is best for me.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Gulf Coast, Florida USA
Posts: 5,731
Originally Posted by TomBom
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and sharing your experience.
The thing is, I'm not abusing the benzos, I'm taking them as prescribed. I tried the detox route but they don't take people who are addicted to benzos because of the chance you could die.
Let me explain something about benzodiazepines. This is not a mental addiction. This is a physical addiction, and if I were to suddenly stop taking them, I'd be facing seizures, catatonia, possible coma, the ways I could die from a withdrawal are endless. Mentally I am not addicted to them. My body crys out for them. It wakes me up at 9AM, every day, no matter what time I go to bed, and will not let me get back to sleep untill i've taken 2mg clonazepam.
My psychiatrist is well aware of the physical addiction, but isn't really doing much about it. He thinks that tapering off of benzos is like falling off a log, when really, it's worse than opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal won't kill you, but this can.
Also thank you MemphisBlues, for sharing your experience! I brought up the idea of switching to valium to taper off but my p-doc just thinks it will make things harder. He has a major egotistical complex and thinks he know everything very definitively. Stubborn, my psychiatrist is I guess.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome
The thing is, I'm not abusing the benzos, I'm taking them as prescribed. I tried the detox route but they don't take people who are addicted to benzos because of the chance you could die.
Let me explain something about benzodiazepines. This is not a mental addiction. This is a physical addiction, and if I were to suddenly stop taking them, I'd be facing seizures, catatonia, possible coma, the ways I could die from a withdrawal are endless. Mentally I am not addicted to them. My body crys out for them. It wakes me up at 9AM, every day, no matter what time I go to bed, and will not let me get back to sleep untill i've taken 2mg clonazepam.
My psychiatrist is well aware of the physical addiction, but isn't really doing much about it. He thinks that tapering off of benzos is like falling off a log, when really, it's worse than opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal won't kill you, but this can.
Also thank you MemphisBlues, for sharing your experience! I brought up the idea of switching to valium to taper off but my p-doc just thinks it will make things harder. He has a major egotistical complex and thinks he know everything very definitively. Stubborn, my psychiatrist is I guess.
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome
Yup I had the seizure, catatonia, was in a psych ward for 32 days and then stopped eating for 2 months and lost 80 pds and ended up in a nursing home for 2 months and lost all use of arms, legs and speech. Benzos really messed me up bad! Chronic depression!
I am fine now! But I quit cold turkey on 8mg clonipin a day taking about 14 mg plus 150 mg of methadone. quit both coldturkey. It was real bad.
They thought I would be in a institution for the rest of my life. Be careful.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
In your shoes...
Originally Posted by TomBom
Hey guys. My name is Tom, I live in Canada, and I have a major addiction problem.
I've been on Benzodiazepines under the watch of my Psychiatrist for about 6 years now. It's gotten to the point where he has me on 6mg of Clonazepam a day, and up to 2mg lorazepam as needed.
I feel like I'm stuck in a big black hole with them. I tried to taper off of them. I reduced the clonazepam by the lowest dose you can, 0.5mg removed per week. Within 3 days, I was having severe heart palpitations, severe anxiety, insomnia, and things along those lines. They're part of the withdrawal symptoms (look up benzodiazepine withdrawal on wikipedia and tell me you're not impressed by all the symptoms, lol.)
I feel like I can't do a safe withdrawal from the and even if I was able to, it would take at least a year to get off of them and use them as needed.
Anyway I apologize, I thought i'd begin by sharing my story with benzo addiction, because really that's the underlying theme of why I signed up.
I look forward to speaking with you guys!
I've been on Benzodiazepines under the watch of my Psychiatrist for about 6 years now. It's gotten to the point where he has me on 6mg of Clonazepam a day, and up to 2mg lorazepam as needed.
I feel like I'm stuck in a big black hole with them. I tried to taper off of them. I reduced the clonazepam by the lowest dose you can, 0.5mg removed per week. Within 3 days, I was having severe heart palpitations, severe anxiety, insomnia, and things along those lines. They're part of the withdrawal symptoms (look up benzodiazepine withdrawal on wikipedia and tell me you're not impressed by all the symptoms, lol.)
I feel like I can't do a safe withdrawal from the and even if I was able to, it would take at least a year to get off of them and use them as needed.
Anyway I apologize, I thought i'd begin by sharing my story with benzo addiction, because really that's the underlying theme of why I signed up.
I look forward to speaking with you guys!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by Grungehead
Tom,
I just recently completed a taper off of Lorazapem in which I was taking 4-6mg daily (was on Clonazepam for close to a decade before that). My p-doc used a method similar to the "Ashton Manual" method and I just recently finished and I am benzo free. It took about 5 months, and although it was relatively painless I still had some "uncomfortable" times after each cut in dose and at the end. The taper method does work, but you have to be patient and you have to do your part. There is no way I could taper off of alcohol because I had the mental obsession for it as well as the physical craving, but I didn't have a mental obsession for benzos so I found that I was able to stick to the taper plan pretty well.
I also quit Ambien cold turkey right in the middle of my taper (might not want to try this at home). I ran out of pills on a Friday and was not going to be able to get any more until Monday at the earliest. After 3 days of c-t I just decided to keep going. It didn't seem to affect my taper routine, I was just wide awake to experience a lot more of it for about a week.
MemphisBlues makes a lot of good points about finding the right p-doc to help you with this. I had one p-doc who told me that since I had been on benzos for so long it would just be easier to keep me on a maintenance dose. When I started seeing my current p-doc he was happy that I wanted to get off of the benzos and the Ambien and was willing to work with me to achieve that goal. It really comes down to you and your p-doc though. I can give you my experience on the matter but it should not be taken as medical advice.
I have worked in the medical field for many years (as well as a patient for 2 heart surgeries), and I always try to stress that the doctor works for the patient. I always try to take an active role in my relationships with my docs, and yes my surgeons too. In order to do this I need to educate myself on my condition(s) so I am able to discuss all of my options when it comes to my care. When I had my heart valve surgeries I didn't just blindly let my surgeon select which valve was going to be used. I researched them all and had an informed discussion with him, then WE made the best choice based on my needs and his expertise.
If you have 3 p-docs sitting in a room one might tell you to go cold-turkey, one might tell you to rapid taper, and one might tell you to slow taper. LOL a fourth might poke his head in the door and tell you to just stay on a maintenance dose. They are all professionals and I wouldn't question their ability to practice medicine, but having researched bezo addiction, tapers, and withdrawal symptoms I can make an informed decision on what I think is best for me.
I just recently completed a taper off of Lorazapem in which I was taking 4-6mg daily (was on Clonazepam for close to a decade before that). My p-doc used a method similar to the "Ashton Manual" method and I just recently finished and I am benzo free. It took about 5 months, and although it was relatively painless I still had some "uncomfortable" times after each cut in dose and at the end. The taper method does work, but you have to be patient and you have to do your part. There is no way I could taper off of alcohol because I had the mental obsession for it as well as the physical craving, but I didn't have a mental obsession for benzos so I found that I was able to stick to the taper plan pretty well.
I also quit Ambien cold turkey right in the middle of my taper (might not want to try this at home). I ran out of pills on a Friday and was not going to be able to get any more until Monday at the earliest. After 3 days of c-t I just decided to keep going. It didn't seem to affect my taper routine, I was just wide awake to experience a lot more of it for about a week.
MemphisBlues makes a lot of good points about finding the right p-doc to help you with this. I had one p-doc who told me that since I had been on benzos for so long it would just be easier to keep me on a maintenance dose. When I started seeing my current p-doc he was happy that I wanted to get off of the benzos and the Ambien and was willing to work with me to achieve that goal. It really comes down to you and your p-doc though. I can give you my experience on the matter but it should not be taken as medical advice.
I have worked in the medical field for many years (as well as a patient for 2 heart surgeries), and I always try to stress that the doctor works for the patient. I always try to take an active role in my relationships with my docs, and yes my surgeons too. In order to do this I need to educate myself on my condition(s) so I am able to discuss all of my options when it comes to my care. When I had my heart valve surgeries I didn't just blindly let my surgeon select which valve was going to be used. I researched them all and had an informed discussion with him, then WE made the best choice based on my needs and his expertise.
If you have 3 p-docs sitting in a room one might tell you to go cold-turkey, one might tell you to rapid taper, and one might tell you to slow taper. LOL a fourth might poke his head in the door and tell you to just stay on a maintenance dose. They are all professionals and I wouldn't question their ability to practice medicine, but having researched bezo addiction, tapers, and withdrawal symptoms I can make an informed decision on what I think is best for me.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 5,095
I am always blown away by Drs that prescribe these long term. It's a bad thing. There is no way to safely use them long term without addiction. They act on the brain the same way alcohol does, hence the reason they are used to detox drunks. But there is no sub to detox off benzos so slow taper, with a good Drs help, is your only option. The level you are taking could take a year. You must be safe. Find a good dr, or the one you're using, and just commit to the taper. Sucks. alcoholics are told not to taper because we have no control. But with benzos you have little choice. You can do this.
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