Hi Raver
I guess I could just "man up" and go cold turkey given that I'm really not taking that much in the whole grand scheme of things
No, there's no 'manning up' when it comes to getting off benzos, there's only manning down... I mean, tapering down. Sorry.
WIth opiates, you can put yourself through hell going cold turkey and traumatise yourself and (mostly) come out clean (and probabaly suicidal) at the end of the week or whatever it takes.
That's not an option with benzos. You aren't taking a large amount of diazepam, as you say, but it's the length of time in which you've been taking it that matters, and 18 months is absolutely long enough to mean you need to taper off slowly.
Diazepam stays in your body for a long time; hence you can go a day or even three without getting a real taste of the withdrawals. DON'T go cold turkey with this, especially if you are scripted them and have the option of safely and slowly tapering off.
Tapering off long-acting benzos is hard because it's a very long and drawn out grind. But in the scheme of things, that is a million times better than what happens if you go cold turkey - you'll puy your body and mind into shock which could very likely manifest as horrible things which could damage you permanently.
I didn't mean to be a smart arse about manning up or down. Fuck that whole concept of 'sucking it up' or 'taking it on the chin'. Go slow and you'll make it off them and be yourself again eventually.
Do it right, do it once. be safe. You can be free again. Please let us know how it goes, as it's important for other people to know that it can be done - as well as HOW other people are doing it. You could be in inspiration to many people if you make it. A LOT OF PEOPLE are in the same boat....