4.5mg clonazepam taper

[[lp...]]

Hi all,

 

New member here so sorry if I posted this in the wrong area.  Anyhow, here is my dilemma.  I am an alcoholic who is approaching 3 months sobriety...have had sobriety in the past but that is somewhat irrelevant now. 

 

My question is: does anyone have experience or advice about tapering off the K this soon into alcohol recovery?  My dose was increased immensely due to withdrawal, and I being a good addict continued to to use both valium and K during my first month of recovery.  My current doc had me on 5mgs k.  I am now at 4.5 but don't want to do anything to jeopardize my sobriety from alcohol.  I see psych this coming Friday for a co-occuring disorder program assessment.  I am hoping they will have some guidance re taper.  My current doc refuses to do a valium switch, as she feels it is more addictive (not sure how that matters at this point  ).  I got myself into this mess by years of screwing around.  Current doc put me on 2mgs of K for over the last 2.5 years, which in most general addiction circles benzos and boozers don't mix very well.  All that said, any advice would be appreciated. My plan is to go slow.

 

[[be...]]

First let me say congratulations on your sobriety. I know what a accomplishment that is. I have been sober for four years now. I use to mix benzos and alcohol as well. It is a bad combination, as I think you know. I would suggest a very slow gradual taper. The recommended reduction rate is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. A slow gradual taper is the best way to minimize symptoms. You are on a pretty hefty dose so it will take some time to taper from it at the suggested reduction rate.

[[No...]]

I think having the combo in the past has made my taper more complicated- although everyone is different. I was on a much smaller dose however was on it for 9 years. I tried tapering what I consider quickly and have been paying the price the last few weeks. I didn't give myself enough hold time. I have found that a lot of this is an experiment on your own body and tolerance for W/D. Slow and steady and listening to your body would probably be best. Also, keep notes so you do not repeat mistakes

[[lp...]]

Thanks for the input.  Yes the alcohol and benzos can be deadly.  I am of the mind to stabilize at a dose of around 4 in the near future and then start a slow taper.  It took me a while to get here so taking the time to get off, although difficult, is the  approach i think I would like to take.  A rapid pace could lead to the bloody grip of alcohol again and I don't want to go there.  Thanks again