Benzos and alcoholism.

[twotoomany]

This may be a stupid question. Im only asking because I've been lead to believe that alcohol and benzos both work on gaba system. I'm a bit of a drinker. Couple drinks a night 3-5 times a week, in addition to my other vices (opes, herb,benzos). After kicking my ope habit, I'm tapering down on benzos. If I drink a little more coming off the benzos, do I run the risk (more so than normal) of developing an alcohol addiction? I've never been a binge drinker or morning drinker, although alcoholism runs in my family. I'm currently down to .125 mg kpin again. Was at that level till I came off subs, then bumped up to 1-1.25 mg. been using kpin since February of this year. Never more than 2mg a day.

 

[pasha]

I don't think alcohol would be a wise idea during withdrawal. It has been noted that alcohol can be a proconvulsant substance by lowering the seizure threshold.

For obvious reasons as well, alcohol could possibly not touch the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal, depending on the severity of your habit.

Alcohol is also neurotoxic, and exicitotoxic which would worsen the symptoms of your withdrawal, and possibly prolong it.

Developing dependance is also a risk.

 

[Cruel Intentions]

While I agree with Chromophobia, it can take the edge off. Your best off tapering off clonies or switching to vals and tapering off that.

And yes, grog is more habit forming when you stop using opiates, they both act on dopamine. Also, some people become addicted to sex after getting off opiates for this same reason

 

[twotoomany]

Thanks for the response. As benzo habits go, I think mine was super light and relatively short lived. It began because I have anxiety issues, but as happens to so many, as needed turned into once a day. Thankfully I exercised what little will power I have and usually kept it around .5mg a day. Getting down to .125mg has been a cake walk. I know there will likely be some discomfort when I discontinue completely. I'll certainly be even more judicious with my alcohol consumption when the time comes.

 

[Cruel Intentions]

I'll certainly be even more judicious with my alcohol consumption when the time comes.

Good plan. It can easily turn from a few drinks at night to getting wasted. Then waking up and waiting until afternoon, so you can "have a few drinks" again. Then some people end up drinking first thing in the morning. I've seen it in a few friends