Thoughts on suggested rapid detox plan of addiction specialist I saw

[[No...]]

1) I considered rapid detox once. I didn't do it because the procedure places you under anesthesia for a considerable period of time. The longer a person is under anesthesia the more dangerous any medical procedure is. Also, I'm not an addict and most people on benzos aren't - we're physiologically and psychologically dependent. We weren't trying to get high - we were prescribed benzos for insomnia and/or anxiety.

 

I didn't want to be in a setting with addicts that focuses on treatment for people trying to escape problems through drug use. That's not my problem. My CNS is dependant on a drug to function and unlike a heroin user I can't stop without some serious risk and residual problems... No offense to anyone who is an addict, because that's tough as well.

 

2) This is your decision and if you're this uncertain then maybe you shouldn't do it. I don't know. Rapid detox is designed only to prevent initial withdrawal symptoms for the first day basically and we all know benzos have a stronger and longer hold.

[[ma...]]

CSharp, I was 20 years on Ativan and I've been tapering it for 10 months. I had several crises along the way and I dealt with them by holding the dose until I felt better. Apart from a strong crisis in December / January, I've been functional and I feel better and better as I reduce the dose. I'm currently at 12% my initial dose.

 

I recommend you do a slow taper as 20 years is a lot of time for being on a benzo and, I agree, you surely are physically dependent on it. But you can recover

[[wh...]]

I understand not wanting to go through these withdrawals but I don't think there is any way through this but to go through it.  These are strong drugs that are not meant to be taken daily.  I think if there was a better way than tapering, I would have paid anything to have not to go through that but I didn't find anyone saying other than tapering.  Good luck to you.  If you decide to do it, I hope it works for you.