Anyone trying to stay sober while on Benzos?
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Join Date: Jun 2014
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Thank you MemphisBlues. Even if you take benzos as prescribed, if you take them every day long term you will become addicted, and it is a gnarly addiction at that! Like MB said, they are dangerous and should not be taken long term.
BigTeddy, does your doctor know that you are an addict? I truly find it hard to believe they would be prescribing you two different and very powerful benzos, especially long term if they did. I also know that us addicts are genius at manipulation. I was able to manipulate my doctor into prescribing me opiates even though she knew I had problems with addiction in the past. I also lied constantly about taking my drugs as they were prescribed, when in actuality I was doing anything but. Now, I'm not saying you're lying, but being an addict myself I know this sort of behavior is extremely common for many of us.
I don't mean to be a jerk here TB, I really don't - but if you came to the main NA meeting I attend and told everyone you take a benzo every single night for sleep, and that it wasn't a problem you would be called out so fast it would make your head spin. The two just do not fit together.
Let me ask you this: If something happened and you were unable to get your meds, what would you do?
By the way, I am only on my 3rd day of sobriety, and am not trying to sound like a know-it-all, but I call b.s. when I see it, and I expect no less from others when it comes to my own behavior.
BigTeddy, does your doctor know that you are an addict? I truly find it hard to believe they would be prescribing you two different and very powerful benzos, especially long term if they did. I also know that us addicts are genius at manipulation. I was able to manipulate my doctor into prescribing me opiates even though she knew I had problems with addiction in the past. I also lied constantly about taking my drugs as they were prescribed, when in actuality I was doing anything but. Now, I'm not saying you're lying, but being an addict myself I know this sort of behavior is extremely common for many of us.
I don't mean to be a jerk here TB, I really don't - but if you came to the main NA meeting I attend and told everyone you take a benzo every single night for sleep, and that it wasn't a problem you would be called out so fast it would make your head spin. The two just do not fit together.
Let me ask you this: If something happened and you were unable to get your meds, what would you do?
By the way, I am only on my 3rd day of sobriety, and am not trying to sound like a know-it-all, but I call b.s. when I see it, and I expect no less from others when it comes to my own behavior.
Phoenix Rising Again
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I've read this thread now a couple of times and there's a few things in here that kinda get me bothered.
As someone who has been prescribed Xanax and takes it as directed by my psychiatrist, I'm sorry, I am absolutely sober. Individually, if you have a problem with a medication, simple, don't take it. No one is forcing you to.
Physicians have to do the juggling act of do the benefits of a medication outweigh the risks. There's potential side effects to EVERYTHING.
For a couple of folks, I really wonder why others taking medications as directed gets your fur up. Is it because others aren't addicted to and have access to a medication that causes you problems?
As someone who has been prescribed Xanax and takes it as directed by my psychiatrist, I'm sorry, I am absolutely sober. Individually, if you have a problem with a medication, simple, don't take it. No one is forcing you to.
Physicians have to do the juggling act of do the benefits of a medication outweigh the risks. There's potential side effects to EVERYTHING.
For a couple of folks, I really wonder why others taking medications as directed gets your fur up. Is it because others aren't addicted to and have access to a medication that causes you problems?
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Yes, my psychiatrist knows I'm an addict, and she's actually an addiction specialist. And I only take the xanax if I'm flying or if I have a full blown panic attack. I'd guess I have taken it 5-6 times in the last 8 months. I've been taking the Klonopin for 8 months. I don't really care if you believe me or not but I've never taken more than the prescribed dose. I've told my AA and NA groups that I take benzos as prescribed by a psychiatrist. Again everyone one is different. I have friends who would shoot dope with me every few weeks and never became full blown junkies and just moved on with their lives. To most junkies, including myself, this seems absolutely ridiculous.
If I suddenly couldn't get my meds (don't know why that would happen, but I guess we're just being hypothetical) I would have withdrawals. I know this. I guess I would go to the ER and then a detox center.
If I suddenly couldn't get my meds (don't know why that would happen, but I guess we're just being hypothetical) I would have withdrawals. I know this. I guess I would go to the ER and then a detox center.
~Music is my mantra ----{-@
Join Date: Jun 2014
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It seems to me the only people defending benzos are the addicts that take them. It surprises me to no end that doctors would even prescribe them to people with a history of addiction. It's a seriously slippery slope... especially Xanax. That stuff is SO addictive that I simply cannot imagine how an addict would not misuse it and begin to abuse it. It defies all logic.
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Originally Posted by DragonInTheSky 
It seems to me the only people defending benzos are the addicts that take them. It surprises me to no end that doctors would even prescribe them to people with a history of addiction. It's a seriously slippery slope... especially Xanax. That stuff is SO addictive that I simply cannot imagine how an addict would not misuse it and begin to abuse it. It defies all logic.
Because maybe we aren't all addicted to everything that enters our bodies?
And I absolutely believe that since every one of us have a different body chemistry, things just don't effect all of us the same ways.
Anyway, best of luck to you. Continue what you need to in order to stay sober.
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I feel a lot of people here are being harsh. My neurologist prescribes them for me as I have had seizures. He is aware of my alcohol addiction and I couldn't abuse them even if I wanted to as I get 14 tablets to last me 28 days.
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Xanax is addictive no matter what you body chemistry is. It is extremely physically and mentally addicting and it happens quickly. Many doctors won't even prescribe it anymore because of this fact. And this is a fact, not an opinion.
Tetra...I'm not being harsh, just realistic and honest.
Tetra...I'm not being harsh, just realistic and honest.
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Yeah, I know what you mean. I mean I have had no seizures since I have been on a small amount of klonopin at night. I definitely do not want any more seizures.
However I looked into a rehab place last year and the nun wouldn't take me in because of it. It's an interesting topic alright.
I do trust my neurologist though.
However I looked into a rehab place last year and the nun wouldn't take me in because of it. It's an interesting topic alright.
I do trust my neurologist though.
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Slow down, folks.
I would never challenge someone's claim to sobriety just because they were taking a benzo under doctor's care. I would seriously offer them words of caution, which I think I have rationally done. Not insulting anyone here, but I am challenging you to become as learned as possible about benzos and the potential risk they entail.
I am simply sharing my experience with benzos. I had a shrink who said I needed them just like a diabetic needs insulin, yada yada.
And you bet, there would be folks in NA and AA meetings that would give birth to a bowling ball embedded with razor blades over someone taking a benzo daily, doctor blessing or no. There's something to that, but I would balk at ever doing so. I would share my experience with benzos, which is fraught with peril.
There's just some truths with benzos that are hard to get around for someone with addiction issues.
First, benzos are addictive. Xanax is thought to be the quickest to get addicted to because of its fast onset and short half life. That said, that is exactly why they are prescribed to those with panic disorder, and if you can take them once or twice a week when panic begins and do not daily dose, I salute you and would never challenge your motivation in doing so.
Second, benzos are a class of drug infamous for quick tolerance build up, and that's why many addicts like me caution those taking a daily dose to be wary of having to increase you dosage.
Third, I didn't write the manufacturer's literature that is supposed to accompany every prescription that explicitly states the drug is only recommended for short term use -- but I do question why major retailers omit that literature and replace it with their own and why retailer literature skates over the short-term versus long-term issue.
Fourth, benzo withdrawal is a horrendous experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
I would never challenge someone's claim to sobriety just because they were taking a benzo under doctor's care. I would seriously offer them words of caution, which I think I have rationally done. Not insulting anyone here, but I am challenging you to become as learned as possible about benzos and the potential risk they entail.
I am simply sharing my experience with benzos. I had a shrink who said I needed them just like a diabetic needs insulin, yada yada.
And you bet, there would be folks in NA and AA meetings that would give birth to a bowling ball embedded with razor blades over someone taking a benzo daily, doctor blessing or no. There's something to that, but I would balk at ever doing so. I would share my experience with benzos, which is fraught with peril.
There's just some truths with benzos that are hard to get around for someone with addiction issues.
First, benzos are addictive. Xanax is thought to be the quickest to get addicted to because of its fast onset and short half life. That said, that is exactly why they are prescribed to those with panic disorder, and if you can take them once or twice a week when panic begins and do not daily dose, I salute you and would never challenge your motivation in doing so.
Second, benzos are a class of drug infamous for quick tolerance build up, and that's why many addicts like me caution those taking a daily dose to be wary of having to increase you dosage.
Third, I didn't write the manufacturer's literature that is supposed to accompany every prescription that explicitly states the drug is only recommended for short term use -- but I do question why major retailers omit that literature and replace it with their own and why retailer literature skates over the short-term versus long-term issue.
Fourth, benzo withdrawal is a horrendous experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
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Join Date: Jun 2014
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Personally, I would challenge someone's claim to sobriety if they are taking benzos. Benzos (even a little bit) can get you stoned and alter your state of mind. To me taking a benzo is no different than having a drink or smoking a bowl. Prescribed or not.
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Originally Posted by DragonInTheSky
Personally, I would challenge someone's claim to sobriety if they are taking benzos. Benzos (even a little bit) can get you stoned and alter your state of mind. To me taking a benzo is no different than having a drink or smoking a bowl. Prescribed or not.
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I guess my question is is this your opinion of benzos only?
Or does it extend to other drugs, like opiates?
Do you think folks who take opiates as prescribed by a doctor as no longer sober?
Just curious where the line is drawn.
Or does it extend to other drugs, like opiates?
Do you think folks who take opiates as prescribed by a doctor as no longer sober?
Just curious where the line is drawn.
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Originally Posted by Aarryckha
I guess my question is is this your opinion of benzos only? Or does it extend to other drugs, like opiates? Do you think folks who take opiates as prescribed by a doctor as no longer sober? Just curious where the line is drawn.
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Aarry...having been an opiate addict myself, yes I do think an addict taking opiates prescribed by a doctor would most definitely no longer be sober. The illusion of an authority figure prescribing them makes no difference. I was prescribed opiates for back pain and the excuse I always used was that it was okay because they were prescribed to me. That just isn't the case. Using, is using, is using.
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Originally Posted by DragonInTheSky
Aarry...having been an opiate addict myself, yes I do think an addict taking opiates prescribed by a doctor would most definitely no longer be sober. The illusion of an authority figure prescribing them makes no difference. I was prescribed opiates for back pain and the excuse I always used was that it was okay because they were prescribed to me. That just isn't the case. Using, is using, is using.
I've taken Percocet for pain before and after two surgeries and I personally didn't have a problem with not taking them if I didn't need them.
If you were taking drugs when you didn't need to be taking them, yes, it's a problem for you and that, I'm sure, is how you determined your definition of sobriety for you.
Please don't make folks out to be the devil if we don't agree with you though.
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