diazepam and alcohol recovery
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 5,095
Hmmm. Are you taking this as prescribed by your dr? 100 mg is an awful lot.
For me, and this is just me, any mind altering, addictive drug (I put sugar in this category too) keeps that substance to dopamine connection open. It keeps me from developing different ways of releasing dopamine (say exercise, or laughter or human connection) to make me feel good. So, for me, yes, it hinders my long term recovery.
Benzos are tricky for me because they act on the brain in the same way alcohol does. Hence the reason they are used to detox alcoholics (kind of like suboxone for heroin addicts...very controversial as its really only a legal opiate). Long term use is dangerous because of the very high potential for abuse and addiction.
For me, and this is just me, any mind altering, addictive drug (I put sugar in this category too) keeps that substance to dopamine connection open. It keeps me from developing different ways of releasing dopamine (say exercise, or laughter or human connection) to make me feel good. So, for me, yes, it hinders my long term recovery.
Benzos are tricky for me because they act on the brain in the same way alcohol does. Hence the reason they are used to detox alcoholics (kind of like suboxone for heroin addicts...very controversial as its really only a legal opiate). Long term use is dangerous because of the very high potential for abuse and addiction.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 19
Thank you for your replies, I kinda think I am buying them on a Russian roulette scale as I ma buying them off people I know, not doctors. They do make me less stressed but I feel I need between 40-50mg per time for this!
It's just usually a Saturday night or every other Saturday as my days are very long and take this to wind down, although I probably recognise this is not a great way to go through things. I am coming up 2 months sober on the 11th as well
It's just usually a Saturday night or every other Saturday as my days are very long and take this to wind down, although I probably recognise this is not a great way to go through things. I am coming up 2 months sober on the 11th as well
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Originally Posted by SBalonD 
I am buying them on a Russian roulette scale as I ma buying them off people I know, not doctors.
Careful -- that is dangerous.
Should only be prescribed under doctors care.
M-Bob
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 379
For me personally my recovery must include abstinence from ALL mood altering ( addiction potential) drugs otherwise Ill find myself just substituting one for the other.
As has been advised, speak to your doctor about your situation.
As has been advised, speak to your doctor about your situation.
The road goes on forever
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 1,107
Originally Posted by Ooona
For me personally my recovery must include abstinence from ALL mood altering ( addiction potential) drugs otherwise Ill find myself just substituting one for the other.
As has been advised, speak to your doctor about your situation.
As has been advised, speak to your doctor about your situation.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 19
Thank you for your courteous and informative replies. I can honestly take it or leave it, hence taking it once a fortnight as to "reward" myself as I am in a very physical job and exercise 6 times weekly. I thought it would help unwind me, but obviously this is not the case. I will just stop taking them altogether. Thank you!!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 19
Yeah I totally understand that. I just like the feel of calming effects and although I am not addicted to benzos I can take 20mg on a Saturday if I want to, to just relax after a hard week work. My biggest fear is travelling and that is when I feel more comfortable and less anxious and will hopefully talk to my alcohol councellor about this when I get my first session with him in the next week or two.
I did stupidly took far too many this last weekend and still feel very lethargic so maybe I do have a problem of an addicition and taking things too far(seem to be complicating myself here). Maybe it's to cope with depression or getting rid of anxiety who knows.
My psychiatrist doesn't seem to do anything but prescribe tablets for bi-polar and just seems to want me out of his office without trying to get to the root of any problem.
Thanks for listening
I did stupidly took far too many this last weekend and still feel very lethargic so maybe I do have a problem of an addicition and taking things too far(seem to be complicating myself here). Maybe it's to cope with depression or getting rid of anxiety who knows.
My psychiatrist doesn't seem to do anything but prescribe tablets for bi-polar and just seems to want me out of his office without trying to get to the root of any problem.
Thanks for listening
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,416
Hi SBD
I self medicated a lot with things like booze and pot - I can't see that self medicating with benzoes is any different or less dangerous - it may even be more so, so I'm glad you've decided to stop
If your p-doc is not giving you the kind of care you'd like, why not find another psychiatrist?
D
I self medicated a lot with things like booze and pot - I can't see that self medicating with benzoes is any different or less dangerous - it may even be more so, so I'm glad you've decided to stop
If your p-doc is not giving you the kind of care you'd like, why not find another psychiatrist?
D
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
