Support while tapering

[Guest [He...]]

Hello, has anyone had any success finding support in their local area where you can meet and talk with people who are going through or more importantly people who have successfully tapered off benzos (not a 12 step program)?  I really feel like I could benefit from talking live to someone 1:1 or in a group setting who have gone through this process.  While I find the BB forum very supportive and helpful, I really could use someone to "talk to" from time to time on the phone or possibly something like Skype.  I have tried PM on BB but it is difficult to have a real "conversation" or when I feel like I just need a shoulder to lean on.  Any suggestions?  Are any BB's willing to communicate outside of responding to posts or PM?  I know that confidentiality and anonymity  is really important (I work in healthcare so I understand) but if there are other ways to connect I would like to hear suggestions. 

I have a counselor but I only see her every other week and she does not really have experience with clients who are tapering off meds.  She is helping me with the issues that brought me to the point of needing meds but cannot really relate to the whole w/d process.  My p-doc is supporting my taper by continuing to prescribe Xanax as long as needed to taper off but I don't really trust his knowledge of what this is really like (he told me yesterday that most patients he works with either don't want to come off or tried and failed, which was really discouraging).  He also told me that gabapentin does not cause dependency and does not require a taper which is very contrary to what I've read here on the forum and other websites.    I've lost a bit of confidence in his ability to help me but I will stick with him because it is very difficult here in the US to find docs who will even prescribe Xanax; even if you are already on it. 

Any feedback would be appreciated. 

[[Be...]]

I am there with you. There is a support group here in Austin, but it meets only once a week and I can only make it every other week.

[Guest [He...]]

I apologize for this post as I now realize that it is inappropriate and in opposition to the guidelines of this forum to ask for individual contact other than through the PM channel.  I totally understand and agree with that policy and will abide by the rules.  I didn't stop to consider what I was asking before posting. 

[[Fa...]]

That would be so great, but unfortunately I don't even live in the USA.

I wish there was a support group here.