I’m scared but I have faith.

[[No...]]

I am a 43 year old male. I have had problems with substance abuse issues for approximately 21 years with intermittent periods of sobriety. I was first prescribed benzodiazepines  when I was 18 years old for anxiety. When I turned 22 I developed an addiction to a non benzodiazepine sleeping pill. I have suffered from depression and anxiety as long as I can remember. I’ve been in “recovery” for 14 months now. When I was finally able to get off all of the other medications I was abusing, my addiction transferred to benzodiazepines. Klonopin in particular is what I am trying to taper off of.

[[ma...]]

Hello NoEvilStar Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

 

I am glad you joined our community. Well done in getting off your other medications.  Benzos will need to be tapered slowly. If you have been on benzos more than a few weeks, the generally accepted taper rate is 5-10%, every 10 to 14 days.  The rate can be adjusted to meet your needs.  Tapering slowly can help keep withdrawal symptoms manageable. 

 

I would suggest that you familiarise yourself with the Ashton Manual, It is a great resource for understanding the effect benzo’s have on our body.  It provides Tapering and withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms 

 

Our members are a caring bunch of people who have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, and will share their experiences with you.

 

Here are some additional links:

 

General Taper Plans

Withdrawal Support

 

We do have  dedicated boards dealing with Anxiety and Depression issues, I'll give you a link to it so you can connect with others who can offer some ideas and help.

 

Anxiety     

Depression       

 

If you would be so kind as to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice. Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

 

Welcome Aboard

 

Magrita

 

[[ga...]]

Welcome! I'm glad you found us. I recently finished my taper. I could not have done it without the information and validation I received on this forum. Spend some time exploring the site and you will find many resources to help you taper off successfully. You will make it and it will be worth it!

 

Gardie

[[No...]]

I discovered this online community after watching the special that aired with Lisa Ling. I am very grateful to have found a safe place where I can be completely candid about my issues as I am quite ashamed of them.I have tried for many years, spanning over 2 decades thying to completely discontinue the use of benzos. I have experienced withdrawals that were BEYOND UNCOMFORTABLE. The withdrawals I have experienced are so vague, and difficult to explain to someone who has not experienced it.I have abused a variety of narcotic prescription medications and other things and despite quitting a very serious opiate addiction, cannabis abuse, cocaine abuse and mainly throughout this time (from the age of about 22 through 41) when have run out or run low now, I get severe flu like symptoms and I also take zofran for the nausea that I experience ( I didn't know what nausea could feel like until I went through withdrawal. I'm completely ready to work on something that has grown into a cross addiction for me. I have counted out how much medication i have and actually put together a plan of how to stay comfortable until I get my next refill and then I will review how to (if possible) taper down from that dose (it's for Klonopin 2 mg tablet 3 times a a day. I no longer have a script for xanax, I obtained some from someone I know. I had not realized how serious this fear of benzo withdraws was to me. Thank you all for allowing me to join this online support group. I'm still trying to figure out how to navigate this website so I apologize if I'm not posting in the correct area. Still searching through this website and VERY grateful that something like this actually exists. Thank you.

[[Pa...]]

Hi NoEvilStar,

 

We're glad you're here, and I'm sure you'll figure out the forum soon enough, no need for apologies, we're just glad you're posting.  I too have had issues with addiction, I started taking Klonopin knowing full well I shouldn't, and I was soon dependent, mentally and physically with my use escalating and my quality of life downgrading.  The best decision I made was to quit Klonopin, I went about it the wrong way not knowing I needed to taper it, but I'm glad to be off of it. 

 

You can do this, we'll support you all the way. 

 

Pamster

[[No...]]

Thank you so much for the kind words. It's quite a bit of math to really get this taper correct. I am honestly grateful that I have access to information and I have the support of other people who know EXACTLY where I am coming from. It's also SO PLEASANT to get clickbait for treatment centers, many of which claim to detox people from benzodiazepines. I also attend a support group in person and one of my friends I met there was explaining to me that he believes he has ptsd from not being properly tapered off the xanax he was abusing at the time and had benzodiazepines cold turkey discontinued and placed on high amounts of thorazine. He had no option to opt out of this "medically supervised" 10 day benzodiazepine & opiate withdrawl. 

[[Li...]]

Hiya darlin'..  I run to any post about being scared.  Please don't be scared, lovie.  You've found the right place.  The people here are wonderfully kind and helpful.  They have vast experience to help you in your journey

 

Big hugs,

Grandma Libble