reaching out for support as I am tapering off 1mg xanax

[[pa...]]

I have been taking xanax 1mg a day and I have been drinking alcohol (one bottle of wine) for the last 8 months. I have just started my tapering off process (currently taking 0.75mg for the last one week, same amount of alcohol). So far I manage my withdrawal through exercise, meditation, keeping myself busy and surrounding myself with friends and family as much as possible. So far the symptoms are manageable, and I am hopeful for a successful withdrawal. I am reaching out to this forum for mentorship, support, and understanding.

 

Thanks

[[me...]]

Welcome to BenzoBuddies!  We are glad you decided to join us.  You'll find a lot of support and information on this forum, which is the only one of its kind online.  It isnt clear how much wine you are drinking, but if it's a lot, say a bottle a day, it would be wise to taper the wine as well.  There are synergistic effects between benzos and alcohol.

 

For those starting a taper, we generally recommend starting out at a rate of 5 to 10% every 10-14 days, then adjusting the taper to suit your own needs.  Note: very short term users may be able to taper faster.

 

Withdrawal symptoms, which vary widely but commonly include anxiety and insomnia, often occur during a taper, but these are temporary and will get better in time.  In general, first tapers are easier, but cold turkeys or multiple withdrawals may be more severe and longer lasting.  Here are a few links to get you started:

 

The Ashton Manual, a concise reference for tapering and symptom issues.  Chapter III contains excellent descriptions of common symptoms such as muscle issues, anxiety, and hyper-awareness

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

Once again, welcome!

[[Ma...]]

I have been taking xanax 1mg a day and I have been drinking alcohol (one bottle of wine) for the last 8 months. I have just started my tapering off process (currently taking 0.75mg for the last one week, same amount of alcohol). So far I manage my withdrawal through exercise, meditation, keeping myself busy and surrounding myself with friends and family as much as possible. So far the symptoms are manageable, and I am hopeful for a successful withdrawal. I am reaching out to this forum for mentorship, support, and understanding.

 

Thanks

Hey palm, welcome to bb. 

That reduction from 1 mg to .75 was a 25% reduction.  Way to high, especially with the drinking.

Experts, which I am not but I have gone through this process, suggest 5 to 10% every two weeks. That even was too fast for me, imo, until you see how you do, 5 to 7% is fast enough.  If you do well, you can always increase.  You need to quit drinking and right away.  Alcohol and benzo's both hit the same gaba receptors.  Xanax has shut down your gaba receptors, and then you throw the alcohol in there and you are not going to do well.  The gaba receptors trying to come back is a slow process and you can have many withdrawal symptoms.  You are not a long time user, and if you quit drinking right away, there is a possibility you won't have too hard a time.  No one can tell you.  Everyone reacts differently to everything benzo.  I need you to do me a favor, go back to the Home Page and look at your profile, click on it, look down and you will see where it says signature, we need you to fill that out with your drug history so we can give you the best advice.  You can also read The Ashton Manual online, will supply you with lots of information that will help you understand the process.  Please don't do another reduction for a couple of weeks to make sure that 25% doesn't catch up with you.  Good luck.  We are here for any questions or help we can provide.  Mary 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[[Sa...]]

Welcome to BB.  We’re here to support you.

 

SaraSue 

[[Li...]]

It's different for everyone, but alcohol can impact on the use of benzos and also on tapering off. Not sure if you've read about that but you may want to check.

 

I'm working on getting off Xanax too. It's been rough, but it gets better (or has for me). I'm just following my body and don't have a specific date to be off Xanax totally. I'd like for it to be soon but not enough to rush it again as I did before.

 

This is a great place to get information and to ask questions (and share what you know too).

 

Just wanted to welcome you!

[[pa...]]

Thank you all for your warm welcome and input. It means a lot me.

 

I have already reduced alcohol consumption (2 glasses of wine every evening) and I am fairly stable at 0.75mg down from 1mg for 9 days).

 

Chris

 

 

[[Ma...]]

Thank you all for your warm welcome and input. It means a lot me.

 

I have already reduced alcohol consumption (2 glasses of wine every evening) and I am fairly stable at 0.75mg down from 1mg for 9 days).

 

Chris

 

Thanks for keeping us posted Chris, we are all interested and a little nosy

[[Ka...]]

Hmmmm.... I drink wine every night after work.  It's my 'me' time. 

I guess I might have to reduce this.  It WON'T  be pretty.

[[Sa...]]

Kac,

 

Reducing or cutting out all alcohol is highly recommended.  Withdrawal is not pretty.

 

You can do this!

 

SaraSue 

[[Ka...]]

SaraS...  I was kinda kidding... but not.  After reading... and learning.... I'm very afraid that my wine is keeping me sane thru this.      now I'm slightly terrified.......

[[Ma...]]

SaraS...  I was kinda kidding... but not.  After reading... and learning.... I'm very afraid that my wine is keeping me sane thru this.      now I'm slightly terrified.......

 

You really do need to quit, I'm sorry.  It will not only slow your healing it may stop it completely. 

[[Ka...]]

I dont know if I can do that.    I'm scared.  My wine is my relaxation.  Crap.  I'll work on this.

[[Ka...]]

W.s what about people who just drink wine?  If I'm off xanax....  cant I be a wino at night?  Sorry... I know I sound terrible  ... but how will I relax???  Kinda worried.

[[Ma...]]

W.s what about people who just drink wine?  If I'm off xanax....  cant I be a wino at night?  Sorry... I know I sound terrible  ... but how will I relax???  Kinda worried.

 

You will need to learn new techniques.  A lot of people on bb believe you shouldn't drink anything for at least a year after tapering.  They both react almost the same way on your gaba receptors.  There are some meds, buspar seems to help some people, you could read the supplements thread , lots of us need calming down, there are some marijuana lotions and some you smoke.  Sorry, I don't know the name of any.  You can ask a question on the Alternative and Supplements thread for things to help.

Good luck, you can do this  . Mary