Benzos Experienced users - When does recreational benzo consumption become a problem?

[awrt]

I have used benzos off and on now for 12years.

was first prescribed valium in 2015 then got a couple more scripts of it for severe anxiety.

fast forward to 2027 - that wasn't anxiety..it was PTSD that I was diagnosed with 2 years ago.

I have abused benzos at times taking them from 1-2 times a week to start off with - leading eventually to everyday use. when it becomes daily it definitely becomes a problem and I know about 2 weeks of daily use I will get some withdrawals.

I don't find benzos recreational really - I find them functional because they kill my PTSD symptoms and allow me to forget about the past. hence why I find them addictive.

but of course they don't cure my PTSD and I realise I was running away from it for years.

my benzo of choice is actually diazepam, but I have had almost every benzo under the sun - Alprazolam, diazepam, Temazepam, Clonazepam, etizolam, bromazolam, flualprazolam, diclazepam, nitrazepam.

I wish I never took benzos. I have now been sober from them for a month and hope to never take them again.

 

[white55]

It becomes a problem when one of these things happens - you're taking so much that you keep blacking out and doing something stupid, you're taking so much/so often that your tolerance is too high for them to be enjoyable or when you take them long enough to become dependent on them and can't stop without getting potentially life threatening withdrawals.

 

[notsmokeymcpot42088]

^This is pretty accurate. The first can be solved with a trip sitter - which most dont consider for benzos, less a trip sitter -- more someone to remind you not to leave the fckin house.

I think I am the exception but I enjoyed them more recreationally when I had a higher tolerance -- zoning on 50mgs is different than 5 even if you have the tolerance to handle 50 -- IME -- YMMV -- NOT WORTH FINDING OUT.

Life threatening withdrawals were the big issue but I was careful to put a fuckton aside to taper with -- than I have my script which is enough to survive. Really they have gained full potency back I think, 2mgs id be takin a nap again.