Hello everyone.

[[wa...]]

Hi,

 

I'm a 24 year old American, currently working as a teacher in Southeast Asia. I ran away from a lot of problems when I moved, and was on a steady dose of benzos before leaving the US. Since moving abroad, I have found that doctors on this side of the world prescribe like candy. When on vacation in nearby countries, I can buy them OTC.

 

They are destroying my life. I am constantly craving a xanax. I can't sleep without halcion and ambien. My hair is falling out. My weight won't level out. I want off. I'm scared to ask for help because I don't want to be deported.

 

Current doze

Xanax 1mg/3 times daily

Halcion .5mg/ before bed

Ambien 10mg/ before bed

 

On weekends, I take more. I feel nothing when I take my normal doses.

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  It sounds like you've become tolerant to benzos and your original dose no longer works.  This is very common.  In order to taper, you'll have to establish a steady daily dose and taper slowly from there.

 

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:

 

General Taper Plans

 

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!

 

 

 

[[ma...]]

You have to get of the drugs ..

[[no...]]

Phew. That's a tough set of drugs to come off of. Sleep might be hard for a while. It will return though. The problem I'm seeing is that those drugs are short acting benzos. Preferably Valium, or Klonopin taper. Klonopin can cause people lots of problems too though. If you can't get a longer lasting one, try stopping the ambient, tapering the halcion and then the Xanax. Halcyon might be pretty brutal. Best of luck