Concered for someone

[[sh...]]

A person very close to me has been taking 1mg of Ativan, twice a day, for ten years. He informed me, today, that I inspired him to get off the benzo but, what he's doing sounds very risky to his recovery.

 

He's cutting his night dose in half, which seems like a very big move. He's also drinking daily and has done so throughout his benzo usage. When he first made the cut, he said he felt anxiety, headaches, GI issues, and vivid dreams but, they settled down in two weeks.

 

All I could do was suggest if it gets to be too much, he can always cut the 1mg pill into quarters and reduce from there. If the way he's going doesn't cause him any trouble, maybe he's one of the few that can make bigger cuts and not feel them but, I think he's holding back on me.

 

This person is a very stubborn man; he will not do anything that doesn't feel right to him. I'm angered that he's being so naive and won't let me talk to him about the whole process of withdrawal. I just want to shake him and say, "You're doing it wrong! You won't feel any better! In fact, you're probably going to feel worse if you keep going like this!," but, he's a grown man. Who am I to push my beliefs onto someone?

 

On the other hand, I'm terrified and sad for him. If he at least tried tapering, the way it's suggested, then maybe he'd have a better chance at recovery. I just don't see him finishing the taper and if he does, he might reinstate and begin the whole cycle all over; it breaks my heart.

 

Has anyone gone through this process while drinking and making larger cuts than suggested? I'd really appreciate all input. I know everyone is different, withdrawal is nonlinear but, hearing experiences would reassure me a little.

[[WT...]]

Do you think he would be interested in joining BB?  He would get lots of support here.

[[sh...]]

Most surely. He knows of the site but has never mentioned it when we've talked about his withdrawal process.

[[Fl...]]

I was a daily drinker while tapering off of 1mg clonazepam making .25 cuts over 3 months. I didn't get hit with anything serious until I was over 2 months off which makes me doubt whether or not I would have been any better off making smaller cuts.

[[re...]]

Shane

May I gently suggest that even though you want to be of help to your friend, in the end, his withdrawal will be his withdrawal? You cant control other people. None of us know the path other people will take or what lessons they learn from making their own "mistakes."

 

If your friend is still drinking, benzos are not the only problem they have. 

 

 

[[sh...]]

Shane

May I gently suggest that even though you want to be of help to your friend, in the end, his withdrawal will be his withdrawal? You cant control other people. None of us know the path other people will take or what lessons they learn from making their own "mistakes."

 

If your friend is still drinking, benzos are not the only problem they have. 

 

 

 

You're completely right. I need to let him find his way, even if I'm too determined to show him mine. What worked for me may not work for him.

 

I did print out the Ashton Manuel and a taper plan, just in case. Hopefully, this will help a little.