Benzos Quick Alprazolam Question: Cold Turkey after 7 Days?

[oldcarl]

I went on a bit of a xanax binge over the last seven days, taking 1-2mg nightly on average with some alcohol. My last dose was 1.25mg about 30 hours ago (the night of 11/3/2011) with a glass of wine.

I usually sleep like a rock with zero problems, but last night had trouble getting to sleep and woke up twice from some intense nightmares (rare for me). I seem to have no symptoms other than my normal low-grade, intermittent anxiety (and accompanying morning nausea and lack of appetite).

Should I be more careful and taper a bit? Can I expect to be back to 100% by this evening since it was such a short period?

I did search, but couldn't find much information on low-dose, short-term alprazolam withdrawal (if there is such a thing - I'm a bit neurotic and pay extra attention to my body than most).

Thanks

 

[redsweater]

you will be fine

 

[oldcarl]

That's what I imagined, but I'm a bit of a worrier (heh heh, understatement) when it comes to messing with my neurochemistry.

 

[nAON]

If you've been using it for sleep, the effects of coming off it can be fairly noticeable. While you probably won't have any real withdrawals, using very small amounts and a fast taper (eg. 0.6 before bed one day, next day 0.4, next 0.2) should help you out with any sleep troubles you have.

 

[ChemicalSmiles]

you will be fine

qft...

that dose is so low, you will be fine.. trust me

 

[oldcarl]

I was just using recreationally (although I am prescribed for anxiety, I never need to take it). I'm still having shivers, anxiety, odd thoughts, and insomnia. Hopefully it subsides soon.

Would going back on at 0.25mg be a good idea, and taper from there, or will this likely all be back to normal (minor anxiety, zero sleep problems) in no time?

 

[OctoberRust12]

Hey oldcarl,

Yes, tappering would be your best bet, but seeing that you only where on a 7 day binge, I wouldn't worry too much abuot tappering. I myself was prescribed Xanax for Anxiety and was on it for over 2 years. Usually I would take around 1mg by the afternoon, and another 1mg by night for sleep. I am only 21, so I am still young when it comes to being prescribed Xanax so my doctor recently took me off the 1mg and gave me 40 of the 0.25mg and said 'thats it.' After day 15, I chipped to 0.25 in the afternoon, then 0.25 at night. Then after day 30, I stopped completly and have not looked back since! Xanax is a very powerful drug and it can come with some great side effects. What you are experiencing will slowly go away, and you will feel back to normal. You will read this everywhere but eating right, and staying in shape will help ALOT when it comes to w/d. Make sure you have a good eating pattern, and keep yourself busy. After a while, sleep will be something that you can achive whenever once you get through everything. Like I said though, you where only on a 7day binge so I wouldn't stress too much. Atleast your not doing Heroin (that I know of) then you will see real effects of w/d!

Goodluck and message me for any help if you still need some, I would be more than happy to help a fellow BL'er.

 

[monkeyemergency]

You won't feel very nice, but you'll be fine

 

[ferinox]

I took xanax for a couple weeks at 1 mg a day. I always felt nasty rebound anxiety within 6 hours after taking my daily dose. I actually felt way better anxiety wise 48 hours after I quit taking it. It has a short half-life compared to most benzos which means bad cessation effects but a shorter withdrawal. You've only been taking it 7 days so I think a taper would do more harm than good. Luckily you shouldn't really run into anything more than minor annoyances at only 7 days.

 

[fivelinefury]

Yup, agreed with everyone, you'll be fine, but yeah you may probably feel like shit, but all stuff like the nightmares, etc will go away. I remember xanax withdrawals 8)