20 Years on Xanax

[[Ge...]]

I took Xanax for 20 years... my highest Rx dose was 1.5 mg/day but sometimes I took a little more.  I have now tapered to 1 mg Ativan and 2 mg Valium.  It took me about 6 months to stabilize here.  I take the Valium at night and it is a huge help for sleeping.  I was having serious insomnia on Ativan only.  I have no idea how long a total benzo taper will take.. maybe another year?

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  Congratulations on your taper so far.  Valium is more sedating than most other benzos, which along with its long half-life is why it's often used in substitution tapers.  I've never used ativan but others here have.

 

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!

 

 

 

[[Bu...]]

I took Xanax for 20 years... my highest Rx dose was 1.5 mg/day but sometimes I took a little more.  I have now tapered to 1 mg Ativan and 2 mg Valium.  It took me about 6 months to stabilize here.  I take the Valium at night and it is a huge help for sleeping.  I was having serious insomnia on Ativan only.  I have no idea how long a total benzo taper will take.. maybe another year?

 

Hi George,

 

12+ years of xanax for me, I can relate... As you may know 1mg of Ativan is equivalent to 10mg of Valium. If you were to crossover and taper from a total of 12mg of valium, I would think that 6-8 months of a daily taper would be about right.

 

If interested let me know, I can tell how I did it with a partial and then complete liquid taper.

 

 

Best of healing,

 

Wilson

[[Ge...]]

I took Xanax for 20 years... my highest Rx dose was 1.5 mg/day but sometimes I took a little more.  I have now tapered to 1 mg Ativan and 2 mg Valium.  It took me about 6 months to stabilize here.  I take the Valium at night and it is a huge help for sleeping.  I was having serious insomnia on Ativan only.  I have no idea how long a total benzo taper will take.. maybe another year?

 

Hi George,

 

12+ years of xanax for me, I can relate... As you may know 1mg of Ativan is equivalent to 10mg of Valium. If you were to crossover and taper from a total of 12mg of valium, I would think that 6-8 months of a daily taper would be about right.

 

If interested let me know, I can tell how I did it with a partial and then complete liquid taper.

 

 

Best of healing,

 

Wilson

 

Hi Wilson,  I don't think I will be able to fully taper to Valium as I have found I cant work on it..  But at least I can get some sleep on it  (I'll take that)   

[[Ge...]]

Thank you all for the nice welcome.   

[[on...]]

Welcom GeorgeV- you have come to the right place for support in getting off xanax. Benzo buddies was a  life saver for me when I found it part way through my taper off xanax after 30 years. Just wanted to encourage you to push forward- getting off xanax even after many years can be done- and it is so worth it to be free. Yes I am still struggling with withdrawal feelings as my body slowly heals from all the years of xanax use- but I believe with all my heart that someday I will feel whole again. In the meanwhile I am grateful to no longer be dependent on that little pill - no more trips to the pharmacy every 30 days. You can do this!