Hey Guys - I'm back! Missed you!
cj - I've read through some of your recent posts...don't settle with a life you aren't interested in leading. If you don't want or aren't ready for the house, job, girl, etc don't do it. While many of those things bring pleasure they also bring a lot of pressure and responsibility. Take your time and figure out what you want in life (especially with the girl and kid).
Recent Discussions- I have been off benzos for seven years and I am still recovering. The first three were absolute hell but it does get better. I will read through more thoroughly tomorrow and address specifics but wanted to mention this. While not necessarily everyone's experience, recovering from benzos can take years for some, especially if they quit cold turkey. What happens when a long term user abruptly discontinues them they enter a state of excitotoxicity which throws their glutamate system into overdrive. Excessive glutamate causes widespread neurological damage. Compounding the issue is that the body is unable to regenerate neurological tissue while on benzos (Alzheimer, dementia connection to benzos) and so damage is not only pervasive but is stacked. The excitotoxicity is the same thing that happens in traumatic brain injuries, so if your withdrawal was hell and healing slow google traumatic brain injury for suggestions as there is much more research on that then benzo withdrawal. In seven years benzo free I am 85% recovered, though my anxiety is still higher than baseline and I still have facial tics (Botox is a lifesaver) and a debilitating memory. Just wanted to mention that in passing. I will be back tomorrow and will read through the last few pages and respond with some answers. Good night all!