long term use

[[mi...]]

I read so many success stories from people who were on benzos for a relatively short amount of time, and I wonder whether I have any chance of healing at all.. I slammed my receptors with high doses of diazepam (30mg or more a day) plus alcohol for over 20 years, and yet i still hope to make a recovery. I guess I should be realistic about how long it may take me to recover, and not be optimistic about protracted withdrawal etc. Or is there no rhyme or reason to how long it takes someone to heal.. is it luck of the draw regardless of your benzo use?..

 

Feeling down about it.  So early in my taper too.. such a looooong way to go.

[[bu...]]

Your recovery shouldn't take an unusual length of time.  You can probably still do 10-15%/ month, like most folks here.

 

FWIW, I actually tapered from a max dose of 15mg diazepam, and did a daily liquid taper from 9 mg.

[[mi...]]

Thanks for the reply.. appreciated.

[[ti...]]

Im tapering off 2mg clonazepam, equivalent 40 diazepam. I had been in that for over 5 years I expect to be done this summer, started last summer so about a year

[[Ma...]]

The amazing thing about the body and brain(like the liver) is its ability to recover completely back to its natural state ! I wouldn't suggest a LONG period of time that itll take you. Maybe a few years, but whats a few years compared to 20+?!?!?! I believe in you !

[[tw...]]

I've been on klonopin for over ten years & Xanax for 7 before that. Also was a heavy drinker as well when I wasn't taking benzos. I'd basically switch one for the other, never really fully stopping either successfully. But I am sure I have utterly wrecked my gaba receptors.

 

At any rate, I'm right there with you! I stopped drinking back in November. I was still able to come down pretty quickly from 2 mg, and while I wasn't successful (jumped too soon), I fully expect to be off by the Summer.

[[Ph...]]

Took me 34 months to get off Ativan after 20 years of addiction.  Sometimes we have to settle down for the long haul and accept it.  Chart your progress and pat yourself on the back as you go.  This can definitely be done.  7 to 10 percent cuts of the preceding dose every 10 to 14 days, or even less if your body tells you it's too much.