Starting a program?

[Guest [...]]

Well, my husband and I discussed things and after looking around we have finally decided that I needed to get some support outside the home. We searched for one since I live in a very rural area, and we have found a 12 step program that might help. Well, this one as one can imagine, really isn't benzo specific, but none the less they are willing to let me come because they blanket alot. I know there may not be any benzos users/recoverers there that might be accidental as many of us are. But support is support, even if others there only have a sense of what withdrawal might be, in any capacity. So nyway, I am not sure sure it can hurt in anyway. I have my doctor now, and do attend a psychologist about every 3-5 weeks, but this hasn't really done anything for me mind wise.

Has anyone here ever attend meetings? Have you found it helpful, maybe at least just comforting?

[[Ma...]]

I prefer HR(health realization) meetings, but yeah, meetings can be good. I'm a recovering Meth Addict/Alcoholic, so i know the 12 step meetings very VERY well lol If they help you, then great:) Try an HR meeting tho too!

[[Jo...]]

Recovered Alcoholic here: for most of eternity. 

 

AA will not be of use to you.  I cant speak to other twelve step programs. 

 

One thing that AA espouses is quitting completely, medically supervised if needed, but stopping quickly and completely.  Obviously this is not the best way to handle benzos.  A few close to me have suggested I just quit.  The problem here is that to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.  What works for one drug (Alcohol, Meth, or Coke) doesn't necessarily work for another set of drugs such as benzos, ADs, or anti-siezure drugs. 

 

I enrolled in a MBCT program for the last few weeks.  It has been awesome.  Once a week I go and meditate with the group,  then practice the assignments all week.  When its done I am goi g to find a local group who meets weekly, or start one. 

 

My problems are almost the opposite of agoraphobia though.  At times I cant stand being home and idle.  Idle minds think the devils thoughts :-). 

 

Getting out is good.  I hope I am not discouraging you. 

[[Be...]]

My doctor is finding out about rehab to help me come off of diazepam. At first I was really pleased because that's what I asked for but now I'm not so sure. It would be about six weeks. I've been on diazepam 20 years. Am I mad?

[[Ca...]]

My doctor is finding out about rehab to help me come off of diazepam. At first I was really pleased because that's what I asked for but now I'm not so sure. It would be about six weeks. I've been on diazepam 20 years. Am I mad?

Is it rehab after a detox?? Which is prob a C/T, done over a week or so...  or a 6 week detox combining rehab skills and support... either way 6 weeks isnt a number i would entertain... Buyer Beware...

 

I pushed for a detox off another med.. -the worst mistake I ever made and am still suffering 8mths out...

 

Tapering benzos at your own pace is best...

 

Just do your homework before deciding either way...

 

 

[[bu...]]

As mentioned, most 12 step programs are abstinence-based, and not oriented at tapering off of meds.

 

And most 12 step programs are oriented at dealing with addictions and substance abuse...again, very seldom appropriate for med dependency.

[Guest [...]]

As mentioned, most 12 step programs are abstinence-based, and not oriented at tapering off of meds.

 

And most 12 step programs are oriented at dealing with addictions and substance abuse...again, very seldom appropriate for med dependency.

Which is true..there is a uniqueness to the one I am considering is that there are some in the process of coming off, not just in recovery. I am not sure how I would feel about going in for support/therapy hearing the horror stories though honestly. Wouldn't it be great to find others in our local areas facing or have faced the same as us? In rural areas, that is only a dream.

[[Ca...]]

Dreams can come true... sometimes they just need a push...

 

[[Jo...]]

As mentioned, most 12 step programs are abstinence-based, and not oriented at tapering off of meds.

 

And most 12 step programs are oriented at dealing with addictions and substance abuse...again, very seldom appropriate for med dependency.

Which is true..there is a uniqueness to the one I am considering is that there are some in the process of coming off, not just in recovery. I am not sure how I would feel about going in for support/therapy hearing the horror stories though honestly. Wouldn't it be great to find others in our local areas facing or have faced the same as us? In rural areas, that is only a dream.

 

I live in a city with millions of people, have all kinds of recovery connections, and have yet to stumble across such a group.  The difference between this and drug/alcohol abuse recovery, is probably the continuity aspect.  People stay in recovery programs long term for an assortment of reasons such as maintaining hard won sobriety,  helping others (purpose), and the social aspect.  Veterans go to the legion for decades after serving in a war for the same reasons (their friends there understand them). 

 

Once people quit benzos they just get on with their lives.  Usually the destruction is minimal compared to drug addicts and alcoholics, despite the difficulties of quitting.

[[be...]]

I used to go to AA meetings for about 20 years. But like builder said, they are not appropriate for benzos.....Neither are NA meetings. 12 step is not good for benzos unless you are clearly abusing them but they still want you to stop C/T. I would never recommend that.....Nobody understands the difference between benzos and other drugs. But us.

[[Ca...]]

NA's Charter says they will cater for anyone whose intent is to stop taking the drug/med... If you feel strong enough to be clear about the situation it could be good for you... all you can do is see...

 

When i did my in clinic opiate CT detox from hell, NA turned their back on me mid conversation because i said i didnt feel i needed to go on to a 6month rehab facility...

 

To me they seemed blinkered, arrogant, and anti medical...

 

Just my very limited, yet memorable experience...

-I could see this being a bit different in a smaller rural setting...

 

With tightening of Drs prescribing etc, NA and others are going to have to adapt, and this is being reflected in their online material that I read, over here in Au.

 

I would probably go see for myself, if it wasnt such a drive...

 

[[be...]]

NA's Charter says they will cater for anyone whose intent is to stop taking the drug/med... If you feel strong enough to be clear about the situation it could be good for you... all you can do is see...

 

When i did my in clinic opiate CT detox from hell, NA turned their back on me mid conversation because i said i didnt feel i needed to go on to a 6month rehab facility...

 

To me they seemed blinkered, arrogant, and anti medical...

 

Just my very limited, yet memorable experience...

-I could see this being a bit different in a smaller rural setting...

 

With tightening of Drs prescribing etc, NA and others are going to have to adapt, and this is being reflected in their online material that I read, over here in Au.

 

I would probably go see for myself, if it wasnt such a drive...

 

They're strict, but not THAT strict here in the US.........

[[Ca...]]

NA's Charter says they will cater for anyone whose intent is to stop taking the drug/med... If you feel strong enough to be clear about the situation it could be good for you... all you can do is see...

 

When i did my in clinic opiate CT detox from hell, NA turned their back on me mid conversation because i said i didnt feel i needed to go on to a 6month rehab facility...

 

To me they seemed blinkered, arrogant, and anti medical...

 

Just my very limited, yet memorable experience...

-I could see this being a bit different in a smaller rural setting...

 

With tightening of Drs prescribing etc, NA and others are going to have to adapt, and this is being reflected in their online material that I read, over here in Au.

 

I would probably go see for myself, if it wasnt such a drive...

 

They're strict, but not THAT strict here in the US.........

Sorry, I should have been clearer... It was the one person that came and spoke at the detox centre... And he was a lawyer, as he mentioned about 50 times... -so yeah, not to judge the whole organisation...

As I mentioned at the start, their online info states acceptance of a willingness to become drug free, and recognises the need for genuine medication... (or there abouts)

 

Hey Bets... ABCDEFGH.... hehe...

 

[[be...]]

IJKLMNOP

[[Gr...]]

I was just thinking about this the other day.  There really is a need for some sort of support group for people both coming off and still BEING ON psychiatric drugs.  One the main things I wish had happened for me (HINDSIGHT 20/20- I KNOW) - is that there was a plan in place for me to go off both benzos and off SSRI antidepressant.  I wish I had/ my doctor had set up goals and checkpoints, such as: "it's been 3 months,  do you feel better/worse/the same?  It's been six months, I think you can go off the antidepressant now.  I notice that you are more anxious this year than last, maybe the benzos are causing that, and not helping as much as you think anymore?"

 

People, real people, who have tried/used these drugs and now are feeling better are a amazing resource to those who are feeling depressed, anxious and what have you, and are trying to use these drugs to feel better and are wondering if the drugs are now making them feel worse.  We need a safe place to communicate.

[[be...]]

BB is the only safe place, IMO........

[Guest [Fl...]]

I've been to LOTS of NA meetings and groups run by the addiction clinic that was the only place that would do this rather too fast taper with me (The doctor referred me there.) I'm in the UK though so it may be different over here, there's very little knowledge of coming off benzos here.

 

Whilst I certainly don't crave benzos and just want off them I mainly go hoping to find someone who is either going through or has gone through the same thing. Not to pull out a 'poor me' sob story but have no family or friends to help with this so I have been going to try and keep structure to the day and build support etc.

 

I have had mixed results. I feel I have met a good few connections but am still to find that elusive positive benzo taper person. I did stop going for a while as I kept hearing people reinstating their heroin addictions and they found it preferable to benzo withdrawal (not a substance I have any experience with, or want to.) On Friday when I was going on about how sick I was of this benzo taper a guy told me a 'rattle is a rattle' (a 'rattle' meaning withdrawing from a substance.) and everyone goes through it. I've never withdrawn from anything else so can't compare but other 'rattlres' , from what I've seen and heard, seem to be over much faster.

 

So, anyway, yes my situation may be different to others but am mainly doing it to create a support network. One thing I have realized is I can't do this in isolation. I !ost my job late last year trying to get off this stuff and am kinda hanging from a thread here. But with all the different groups and activities I've signed up for forces me to get out and do things and add structure.

 

I did have a full blown anxiety attack in a middle of a class the other week, which was kind of humiliating, but because people knew I was on a benzo taper I didn't have to do any explanation (even if the doctor the next day still refused to slow the taper down!)

[[Ca...]]

Fleety, good on you, you are doing positive things which will make a huge difference, and im sure you can hold your own at any meeting, taking what you need from it...

And trust me... A rattle ISNT a rattle, and thats not even considering the extra pressure on you from your enforced taper speed...

Best wishes... you CAN do this...

 

[Guest [Fl...]]

Thanks Can'tfly. I know, 'a rattle is a rattle', kind of enraged me but I just kept my mouth shut. I keep getting told to stop fucusing on the substance and looking for differences but it's really difficult when you are still tapering the substance and talking to people who have just done a five day alcohol detox and seem pretty much fine.

[[Ca...]]

Better man than me... -you will be bullet proof after this.. !!

[[be...]]

Better man than me... -you will be bullet proof after this.. !!

 

:thumbsup:

[Guest [Fl...]]

Cripes I can't think that far ahead. This morning I was told in group by someone who hasn't done a Benzo withdrawal that I'm thinking it's worse than it is and it's 'all in my mind'. This was the group leader as well!

[[be...]]

Group leaders no nothing more than those in the group.

[[Be...]]

I'm scared and confused 

[[Ca...]]

I'm scared and confused 

Hey Beth, whats up... -obvious question... -But how can we help??? How is your taper going??