Need Understanding of Using Benzos

[[Co...]]

Trying to get a better understanding of Benzos.  Ativan seems to be the only med to help my son who is 21 from Anxiety.  I'm fearful of addiction.  Can he take .50 for 4 weeks without addiction?

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  A user can become dependent on benzos in as little as a few weeks, and that's why it's now recommended that doctors prescribe them for no longer than two weeks.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

 

[Guest [...]]

Hi Concernmom,

I wish I could say not, but it is possible. I am coming off Ativan .5mg once daily myself. I was prescribed it in July for anxiety after I reacted extremely bad to zoloft and trazadone. I didn't realize it was addictive. At 39 I have never used alcohol or abused drugs of any type and only took the Ativan "as prescribed."  I found a few weeks ago that if I didn't take it I would get muscle twitches, headaches, even sick to my stomach. I took my dose mostly at night, and by afternoon I would have crying spells. My anxiety went through the roof. As soon as I took my next dose, it would all calm down. Didn't realize until probably last week that it was withdrawal from my daily dose of Ativan. Decided it was time to stop.

The bad thing about Ativan...or any benzo is that not only does our body become dependent upon it...we can build up tolerance to it so we might need larger doses quickly. I also began to notice this too.

I am not sure what your child's dosage is supposed to be, I am not a doctor or medical professional.

I just know from my personal all experience I wish I wouldn't have ever accepted this medication and my doctor wouldn't have just handed me this magic pill. Now I, my husband, and son are left holding this bag while I get off this and find the right way for me to handle my anxiety for all of us.

Once again, please understand I am not a medical professional, just someone walking this walk.

Best wishes in whatever path your child chooses, and to you!

[[ne...]]

From somone who took them for over 15 years....its a very slippery slope to a very bad place.

 

After the benzos stop working...the chemical cocktails come next..it's not pretty.

 

Beta blockers (propranolol) was my first script. I wish I would have never gone to benzos.

Propranolol can help with anxiety and I believe a better choice.

Buspar is another non addictive med.

 

Neither are as strong, but can be helpful especially with counseling.

 

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, I'm not a researcher, this is my own personal opinion.