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Benzos Anyone who went through long term benzo withdrawal who got better?

opiate withdrawal=cakewalk by comparison

Opiate withdrawal is a fucking vacation compared to heavy, long term abuse benzo withdrawal. Its also extremely dangerous if you quit cold turkey without tapering down.

I never even had a clue as to the dangers of benzo withdrawal. I don't even think I knew that I was addicted so severely.
I definately learned this shit the hard way, as soon as I attempted to kick my massive opiate and benzo addiction simultaneously, and to it off, cold turkey...

Massive mistake. This was complete hell on earth and I felt as my body was being ripped apart nerve by nerve with no way to escape. I had to constantly try to climb out of my skin and body for relief that never manifested itself. There was not a single fucking moment of peace...and sleep, or even the concept thereof, was such an impossibility that I would eventually lie awake for weeks at a time without a visit from the sandman.

These nights were filled with terrifying realistic auditory and visual hallucinations. I was basically stuck in between this nightmarish dream land and the thought process and ritual of actually drifting off to sleep. PI had turned into what was a fucking shell of my former self, and had found my only sanctuary, in the complete darkness of my bedroom upstairs. This is how I tried to cope with my situation as best I could. Of course this wouldn't last, therefore every time that I was forced out of my cave to venture into the light and sound of the outside world, I would be panicked and restless, on edge...almost manic, then forced into extreme vertigo that I couldn't control. I would get stuck in a vortex within my field of vision that I could not escape. It was like a fighter pilot experiencing full G-lock during an intense dog fight. These bouts of vertigo left me nauseated, sweaty and short on breath. This is what led me outdoors and down the driveway, then eventually into a massive seizures 3 times within a 2 week period.

I can remember that 2 of these episodes, both in which happened without warning, and completely out of nowhere, unfolded right at the bottom of my driveway, in the street, and at the peak busiest time of day for neighborhood traffic, and being that these were both beautiful and warm summer days, the neighborhood was in full swing, and of course ready for some entertainment. I definately delivered, and at a safe distance they gathered and stood, watching in horror and amazement the entire time.

When I came to, I'd usually come to standing up in the street or driveway, in complete confusion as to how I'd arrived there, covered in bloody cuts, grass and dirt. In the midst of the confusion I'd be loudly arguing with my wife as she pleaded with me to sit or lay down.

PThen I'd notice the tears that flowed from her eyes, rolling down her cheeks, coupled with the panic in her face and fear in her voice as she struggled to gasp for breaths to form the words to beg me to lay down and be still...this is the sad scene that always unmistakably brought me from my confused state and into the realization that something bad had just occurred, and whatever it was, I was helpless and without any ability to control it.

I had written a pretty detailed response to a thread with a benzo question on here somewhere that goes a bit deeper into my hellish experience in the ambulance rides and with the emergency room visits in the hospital but I can't find at the moment. K

In all honesty, it was definately around a year before I settled down and got comfortable in my skin again. Definately an intensely dark period of time who's memory has stuck with me, and became seared into the back of my mind so vividly, that honestly I've never abused benzos since, nor had the desire to, strictly out of fear and fear alone...brought on by recollections of pain and suffering that I was forced to endure for almost a year total.

Congratulations to anyone who obtains the strength to face and destroy this succubus type demon.
 
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Do not get on an SSRI, you're past the peak, and almost there, man. You'll be feeling right as rain in 2 months (6 months after your last benzo). You need a restful sleep, though, so take 12.5-25mg doxylamine succinate (Unisom) nightly, and 600mg chelated magnesium with the doxy if that's not enough.

Protracted withdrawal from an SSRI was way worse for me than protracted benzo withdrawl, even with tapers on both ends.

YMMV, but IMO at least benzos work immediately and you can always supplement with memantine or low dose dxm polistirex to keep tolerance at bay. I also use lyrica and neurontin PRN to keep my klonopin levels down.

Did you taper the benzo? What benzo was it? How long were you on it for? I'd love to give you advice but I need a bit more information from you.
 
no, it's easy to get. really never had a problem getting it. i'm scripted it right now because i told my psych i have a serious benzo addiction and i'm off them but my anxiety is fucked. i'm scripted 3200mg/day now (which is an extremely high dose) but i'm pretty messed up from 9 years of xanax/klonopin addiction.

i understand where you're coming from, man, and believe me, i am not judgemental at all. it's a horrible addiction, and it made my meth addiction and oxy/fentanyl addiction look like it they weren't that serious. i kicked that shit and have been off those three for 6 1/2 years. however, it's been less than a year for the benzos. and i will never, ever say never again. every day i say "not today". one day at a time, bro...

much love, dude, you really can do it. i'm sorry you're still dealing with it. it's a serious bitch whore.

Thanks for the advice dude. I might look into the gabapentin.
 
Opiate withdrawal is a fucking vacation compared to heavy, long term abuse benzo withdrawal. Its also extremely dangerous if you quit cold turkey without tapering down.

I never even had a clue as to the dangers of benzo withdrawal. I don't even think I knew that I was addicted so severely.
I definately learned this shit the hard way, as soon as I attempted to kick my massive opiate and benzo addiction simultaneously, and to it off, cold turkey...

Massive mistake. This was complete hell on earth and I felt as my body was being ripped apart nerve by nerve with no way to escape. I had to constantly try to climb out of my skin and body for relief that never manifested itself. There was not a single fucking moment of peace...and sleep, or even the concept thereof, was such an impossibility that I would eventually lie awake for weeks at a time without a visit from the sandman.

These nights were filled with terrifying realistic auditory and visual hallucinations. I was basically stuck in between this nightmarish dream land and the thought process and ritual of actually drifting off to sleep. PI had turned into what was a fucking shell of my former self, and had found my only sanctuary, in the complete darkness of my bedroom upstairs. This is how I tried to cope with my situation as best I could. Of course this wouldn't last, therefore every time that I was forced out of my cave to venture into the light and sound of the outside world, I would be panicked and restless, on edge...almost manic, then forced into extreme vertigo that I couldn't control. I would get stuck in a vortex within my field of vision that I could not escape. It was like a fighter pilot experiencing full G-lock during an intense dog fight. These bouts of vertigo left me nauseated, sweaty and short on breath. This is what led me outdoors and down the driveway, then eventually into a massive seizures 3 times within a 2 week period.

I can remember that 2 of these episodes, both in which happened without warning, and completely out of nowhere, unfolded right at the bottom of my driveway, in the street, and at the peak busiest time of day for neighborhood traffic, and being that these were both beautiful and warm summer days, the neighborhood was in full swing, and of course ready for some entertainment. I definately delivered, and at a safe distance they gathered and stood, watching in horror and amazement the entire time.

When I came to, I'd usually come to standing up in the street or driveway, in complete confusion as to how I'd arrived there, covered in bloody cuts, grass and dirt. In the midst of the confusion I'd be loudly arguing with my wife as she pleaded with me to sit or lay down.

PThen I'd notice the tears that flowed from her eyes, rolling down her cheeks, coupled with the panic in her face and fear in her voice as she struggled to gasp for breaths to form the words to beg me to lay down and be still...this is the sad scene that always unmistakably brought me from my confused state and into the realization that something bad had just occurred, and whatever it was, I was helpless and without any ability to control it.

I had written a pretty detailed response to a thread with a benzo question on here somewhere that goes a bit deeper into my hellish experience in the ambulance rides and with the emergency room visits in the hospital but I can't find at the moment. K

In all honesty, it was definately around a year before I settled down and got comfortable in my skin again. Definately an intensely dark period of time who's memory has stuck with me, and became seared into the back of my mind so vividly, that honestly I've never abused benzos since, nor had the desire to, strictly out of fear and fear alone...brought on by recollections of pain and suffering that I was forced to endure for almost a year total.

Congratulations to anyone who obtains the strength to face and destroy this succubus type demon.

Dude, it's incredible how much parts of your story mimic mine. It's creepy.

I came off HEAVY Xanax, Klonopin, OxyContin, fentanyl, meth, and dextroamphetamine addiction all at once. I went through exactly what you described. I remember the worst part was a friend said I could come to his house to get off the shit. He laid down a sleeping bag on one side of his apartment and the detox from the amps and opioids started nearly immediately. Because of my massive Klonopin habit, it took about 3 days before the benzo w/d fully hit. Note: I was 93 lbs at this point. Just like you described, I felt like someone was continuously ripping my nerves out and tearing my muscles up. During all that, I was having the full-blown benzo auditory and visual hallucinations. They should probably be referred to as my worst nightmares imaginable come to life. I had absolute open-eyed delustional visions and I don't know how to describe the auditory hallucinations, they were unlike anything I had ever heard before, or since. All terrifying, ppl screaming my name, I remember that much, but that's a small part. During this the meth weakness and opioids sickness and pain was going on. Of course, benzo w/d has that problem too.
I would imagine the opioid w/d started to subsibe after a week, but I couldn't tell due to the pain and terror caused by the benzos.

I agree that benzo w/d from a long-term, serious addiction makes the worst opioid w/d look like a 5-yr-old's birthday party. I was awake and in horrible pain and terror, and extreme sickness for 3 1/2 weeks before I was able to stand up for the first time. I literally laid on the ground for 3 1/2 weeks. I had never even been awake that long on meth. Benzo w/d caused the longest period of time awake I've ever experienced, which of course just added to the hallucinatory delusions I was going through. I cannot describe how bad it really was. It was the worst thing I've ever felt. I prayed to God to please kill me, no lie. I was in tears and wanted to die. I couldn't have gotten up and found something to kill myself if I had wanted to. I was also brain dead. I thought I was stupid forever.

My friends told me that during that period of time and at least 6 weeks after, I could not answer questions. A friend came to smoke some weed with me, and asked me if I wanted to. He said that I took over half an hour to tell him "yes", but after he helped me take a hit I apparently told him that I couldn't. I really don't remember this. Maybe a flash, but I just don't know.

If this means anything to anyone, please don't do this to yourself. I almost died during this time. One of the only things I remember was my father coming over and picking me up and carrying me (like I said I was 93 lbs or less at this time, that was the last time I had weighed myself a few weeks before) to somewhere where there was an ambulance and a medical team doing stuff to me. It was really bad. I refused to go to detox or rehab.

Good luck and all my love to anyone going through this, or who soon will. PM me if you need to talk or need help. I'll do anything I can to help.

Love you guys.
 
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im sorry man but posts like this make me cringe. when ya cross YOUR line with benzos and booze you will likely be better off to stay treading. good luc
 
Honestly I didnt realize how much anxiety I had untill i took benzos (Mostly Klonopin) 4mg a day for panic and anxiety. I would suggest acting your doctor ask for nuerontin and/or lyrica. But dam nothing to me helps anly where close to benzodiazepines.
Are u still having withdrawels? cuz u could problly cuz a 2 week prescribton For Librium (Another benzo sometimes used for withdrawels)

PLeasee help me guys :[[ iim stuck?
http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/...freebase-(Crack)-READ!?p=10201044#post1020104
 
I went through long term withdrawal and I got a lot better but not completely. I was on xanax, 4 mg a day for a year and a half. I tapered off it and the next two years were hell on earth. I really only started feeling better this past fall but I still have some symptoms of withdrawal. I am hoping in another couple of years, I will be all the way better or at least close to all the way.
 
I went through long term withdrawal and I got a lot better but not completely. I was on xanax, 4 mg a day for a year and a half. I tapered off it and the next two years were hell on earth. I really only started feeling better this past fall but I still have some symptoms of withdrawal. I am hoping in another couple of years, I will be all the way better or at least close to all the way.

Isn't it fucked up how that works, dude? You finally decide to get off the shit to make your life better, then it just keeps fucking going. I want to time-travel so I can see some reports on the long-term permanent effects of heavy alprazolam abuse. I'd be willing to bet it's not pretty.

I gave up on feeling that way. I'm on high doses of both gabapentin and pregabalin. Yeah, it's not Xanax, and it's just swapping addictions. However, this one is manageable, similar to the way that Suboxone is more manageable than heroin. It works, but leaves me feeling like this: :-/
 
I would think you would be recovered by now, or recovered to the point where you wouldn't notice symptoms. How do you know this isn't just your normal anxious self, and not the drug withdrawals?
 
I would think you would be recovered by now, or recovered to the point where you wouldn't notice symptoms. How do you know this isn't just your normal anxious self, and not the drug withdrawals?

Because I've never had anxiety in my life. I took the benzos recreationally, not for anxiety. Comments like this fucking piss me off--do you really think people are too stupid to tell apart anxiety from withdrawal? Sleeping 5 hours a night is not normal anxiety for anyone.

P.S. Your question didn't actually piss me off, it's just your thought is what doctors automatically assume, I.e., a return of original anxiety. When they've never taken a benzo in their life. People who have their lives totally fucked up by benzo withdrawal are just discounted as having anxiety.
 
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Truthfully you should look into some type of medical detox....I was retarded when I detoxed off my benzo's by myself but I didn't know any better. The results from this was multiple seizures...Many main cities have a University hospital that usually has a free detox program. They will most likely give you a Valium taper and throw some Librium in there too if it is needed among many over the counter things....You should look into it! Good luck!
 
Because I've never had anxiety in my life. I took the benzos recreationally, not for anxiety. Comments like this fucking piss me off--do you really think people are too stupid to tell apart anxiety from withdrawal? Sleeping 5 hours a night is not normal anxiety for anyone.

P.S. Your question didn't actually piss me off, it's just your thought is what doctors automatically assume, I.e., a return of original anxiety. When they've never taken a benzo in their life. People who have their lives totally fucked up by benzo withdrawal are just discounted as having anxiety.

Don't confuse this for an attack on you but I've lived with only having about 2-3 hours sleep a night 5 days a week because of my job. Whilst 5 hours sleep might not be satisfying, it's enough.
 
Because I've never had anxiety in my life. I took the benzos recreationally, not for anxiety. Comments like this fucking piss me off--do you really think people are too stupid to tell apart anxiety from withdrawal? Sleeping 5 hours a night is not normal anxiety for anyone.

P.S. Your question didn't actually piss me off, it's just your thought is what doctors automatically assume, I.e., a return of original anxiety. When they've never taken a benzo in their life. People who have their lives totally fucked up by benzo withdrawal are just discounted as having anxiety.

Some people can't tell the difference, and that doesn't make them stupid. I believe that yours is withdrawal, and you know that. The reason I agree is because I was prescribed 3mgs of xanax for over 3 years, and I switched to valium to taper. I was down to .5 of valium every other day, and felt fine. When I got to day 4 off of this tiny dose, I started feeling extreme anxiety and other problems. We all know that after 5 years on xanax, the last 3 being at 3mgs, .5mgs of valium wouldn't even touch somebodies anxiety, therefore, it had to have been withdrawal I was feeling when I got to day 3 without it.
 
Eventually, it does get "better." Maybe not totally, but it has gotten easier for me as time goes on.

Learning to cope and deal with your anxiety again is one of the hardest long-term effects IMO, and it can be seriously hard sometimes.
 
Take some valerian root and try to surround yourself with friends and shit you like to do. I was on anywhere from 5-7 bars a day for months, and the physical wd was hell, but bro the mental torture was the WORST! Just know that it will get better, and yea man it took me the better part of a year to feel myself again... just took time and distance from the Poison
 
It does get better, but unfortunately many of us feel that something has changed permanently, that some things in the brain will never be the same as they were before the benzo-usage. Luckily though, eventually things do get very much manageable, even if you won't get back to feeling 100% normal. I started taking benzos at the age of 16 (prescribed for anxiety and depression) and eventually, mostly thanks to retarded doctors, was totally hooked on mostly clonazepam and temazepam for 4-5 years. Hard to estimate what my daily dosage was, but my highest single dose of klonopin ~75mgish which was sort of a suicide attempt but that's another story. I downed thousands of these pills during those years thinking I was treating some kind of mental illness, while in reality I was suffering from benzo wd's even while still on them (my dosing was irregular, the prescription said to take them when needed, and oh man did I need them after waiting long enough between the doses..).

Anyway it's been a few years since I kicked the habit, I still suffer from atleast poor(er) quality of sleep, increased anxiety (which I have learned to cope better with), over-excitability issues, some minor muscle twitching, concentration/cognitive issues and more pronounced mood swings. Very scared of taking anything GABAergic since I seem to be quite sensitive for that kind of stuff, especially sensitive for any adverse effects and taking even a little benzos will likely manifest some relatively mild wd symptoms. Alcohol is kinda out of question too, but I never was much of a drinker. Smoking cannabis seems to bring anxiety much more likely than it used to and for a time I couldn't enjoy weed at all.

I don't think anybody can imagine the hell that benzo withdrawal is unless they experience it for themselves. I try to politely warn people about benzos when I see irresponsible, abusive use but it all goes to deaf ears. Especially with opiate addicts, they think nothing can be worse than the opiate withdrawals they go through or have gone through, so they end up munching obscene amounts of benzos for minimal opiate wd help without realizing the cost... The abundance and low price of benzos makes them easy to obtain, leading to people underestimating what they can potentially do to you.

Everyone is an individual, even if 99% of people who had a long-term benzo addiction would never get completely back to normal, you could still be among the 1% that does get. Don't give up hope... there is no such thing as being permanently 'broken'.
 
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