Avoiding Diazepam Dependence

[infectedmushroom]

Hi folks,

Over the past six days i've gone through 250mg of diazepam (averaging about 8 5mg tablets a day.)

How long should I take a break for if I want to avoid physical dependence?

My guess would be four or five days, but i'm thinking of just binging through the next 50 as well in 6 or so days (making my total binge length 12 days - I'd definitely take a decent break after that.) I've done some reading and clinically it is suggested daily use not surpass 2-4 weeks - so i'm thinking 12 days then a long break should be fine. Perhaps some minor rebound-anxiety and insomnia symptoms which should be manageable with promethazine and pot.

I have a fast metabolism as well, if that means anything.

 

[cuivre]

The only thing is that 40mg is a pretty high daily dose to be continuing on for 12 days straight, if I'm reading right. I would definitely recommend taking a short break before continuing just to err on the side of caution. You seem like you've sort of answered your own questions but I do think 12 days of diazepam at that dose at least sets you up for some bad rebound anxiety if not mild withdrawal, although both of these things will indeed vary from person-to-person. Despite your fast metabolism, I think if you really want to be on the safe side then I would agree a 4-5 day break is in order now. Logically you know you will be much more physically and mentally comfortable taking a break after six days than twelve. I think you're probably right that you shouldn't be in too bad a spot after 12 days if you weren't taking any before now, but personally I'd also consider cutting down the dose the last few days of a 12 day binge if possible.

So... yeah. I strongly feel that you're better off taking a break before going on, but don't disagree 12 days is unlikely to cause serious withdrawals. I think it could be more uncomfortable than you're thinking, especially with regards to the psychological component, but it depends. I get bad rebound anxiety after much lighter usage than that but of course you're not me.

 

[PotatoMan]

That's quite a lot.


But finally a thread I actually been thinking bout starting.

Im wondering if the metabolites of the valium left over In your body from 40mg a weekend cross over to the next weekend and cause a sort of dependency. I mean I can feel anxiety but it's definitely not as often or easily...

 

[infectedmushroom]

Whenever I acquire benzos to binge on my general habit is to not exceed two weeks of daily use. That's due to supply more often than choice.

It does help though that two weeks is the threshold beyond which physical dependence and noticeably unpleasant psychological rebound symptoms generally arise, so it's actually a good thing.

The one occasion I used Xanax daily for two weeks then stopped produced some unpleasant effects for a few days following cessation - again nothing some pot and promethazine couldn't soothe.