Taper advice with psychiatrist

[[Ds...]]

Background. I have been on klonopin for about 2 years. First year, really didn't take much .125 to .5. It did the job of stopping anxiety and panic. Quit alcohol for the past 15 months and it helped. But with my career and promotions, work got stressful and I needed more klonopin then what my PCP would prescribe so I have been getting a friends script for the past year and my usage, just from tolerance has up to 3mg/day. This drug has helped my life, especially quitting alcohol, I've gained so much, but I know much was due to klonopin. I've thought about quitting for quite a while. I have to now and want to. I want to consult a psychiatrist to actually get the Med's prescribed for a taper. I want to be free like I am from alcohol, which I what I abused to rid the anxiety/panic. My question is: what to expect from the psychiatrist? Will I find myself in any legal trouble by telling them I have been getting the Med's from a friend? I'm sure they will ask how I got up to 3mg per day. I've been tapering for a week, and still attend AA regularly and am spiritually fit, I really want off, but this is my main concern, considering my friends script has been cut off. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank-you for your time!

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum! We're glad  to have you as a new member.  Congratulations on getting off alcohol! 

 

Seeing a new doctor about getting a benzo prescription can be tricky, especially if they feel you've been "abusing" them.  If you do get a prescription, and the doctor agrees to help you taper, it will probably be a very fast taper.  This, along with other issues, is why most members here organize and control their own tapers.  Also, psychiatrists are trained to look for mental "disorders" and may very possibly diagnose you with one.  That said, it's up to you of course how you handle all this. 

 

You'll find lots of information and support here.  Our members have been through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to find  people who understand what you're going through.

 

For those who are starting a new taper, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days at first, and then adjusting the taper rate to suit your own needs.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a few months after discontinuing the medication.  First/only withdrawals after a slow taper tend to be easier than multiple reinstatements/withdrawals over time, which may make symptoms worse and longer lasting. The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but there are many others. 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. Section III explains and describes symptoms, and there is also a section with suggested 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!

 

 

[[Ds...]]

Thank-you for replying, I feel like seeing a psychiatrist is the best way, like I said, I'm at about 3mg per day and only have about 50mg from my friends scrip left, my pcp wouldn't prescribe anymore then 10 .5 per month,  so that's why I went to my getting my friends script, which has been cut off. I know I can't do cold turkey, but I believe a taper is the best way, so I'm really stuck in a hard spot. I only took 2 mg today and don't feel totally bad, but I notice a difference. Thanks, and anyone Seles else's opinion would be appreciated.