Benzo's in general.

[Cosmic Trigger]

I'm addicted to medical opiates and that's enough addiction for me. I would like to take benzos occasionally because I have occasional bouts of anxiety and depression along with insomnia. In no way do I want to develop a tolerance or addiction to them. So my question is what would be a super safe use of them for this these purposes? Once a week? Once a month? What would it be from your experience because I have almost none in this area and thank you for your help.

 

[DROCK87]

I would say once a week would be good or only take when you're having anxiety issues or can't get to sleep. I love benzos but never got hooked on them like opiates even after years of use. But be carful benzos can be very dangerous.

Edited to add, what benzo did you have in mind?

 

[Ilove2nod]

Benzos are safe if used when needed and if you can put them down on the days you don't need them, as if you take them every day like i did you will most likely end up dependent on them. I have been dependent on benzos for the past four years or so, mostly klonopin and also valium for a little while when i switched meds, now i am back on klonopin though and take around 3mg a day usually but sometimes 4mg if i have a hard day. That is my only regret about ever taking them as much as i did and still do, is that i cant safely just not take them anymore. i truly felt from the day i was put on them that i needed something daily because my anxiety was extremely bad and hard to live with and to go to sleep at night because of how bad it was. Even half of a day without them, i am a total basket case and become angry and edgy. 2 days or more i start experiencing actual physical withdrawl symptoms similar to opiate withdrawl, but worse, much worse. Depending on how bad your anxiety is on a scale of 1-10 and how often you have it, I would suggest a low dose of valium(diazepam) to start on, like maybe 10mg as needed and go from there depending on how it works for you. If your doctor has a problem with diazepam as a lot of doctors seem to lately, ask to try klonopin at 0.5 to 1mg as needed. that would probably be a good dose to start on with klonopin. Now there is also Ativan(which i have always found useless to me) and also Xanax too, which are fast acting and better for panic attacks and just short bouts with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. I would honestly recommend one of the long acting ones like klonopin or valium, as they work great and last all day and help me sleep all night. One of those would probably do the trick and it wouldn't become a problem as long as you have self control to put them down on the days you don't REALLY need them. But for people like me that was always hard to do, so just know that they can become addicting if you let them and if you have daily anxiety, depression and/or insomnia the chance for becoming dependent on them is higher than if its just the occasional bad day and you just need them for those days. Hope this helps. good luck.

 

[Burnt Offerings]

Take regular "drug holidays" and don't use them as a "crutch", and you'll be fine.

This forum has tons of benzodiazepine horror stories but it's also full of drug addicts, so it's not exactly a good representative sample. Most people who are prescribed benzodiazepines do fine with them and never become addicted. IMO the real tricky factor with benzodiazepines are more subtle concerns, like cognitive issues which may develop from long-term use, or rebound anxiety/insomnia

Over the years I've been prescribed a variety of anxiolytics/hypnotics including alprazolam, diazepam, and zolpidem, so that's where I come from on the issue.

 

[bipolar-sunshine]

I agree take "holidays." I would recommend keeping your use as low as possible. Be sure you're only taking them as needed.

 

[Raysu]

My question to OP would be did you have anxiety, depression, and insomnia prior to your opioid habit? Bouts of all of the above come with comedowns and worsen in wds then can resolve on their own. You may want to try other supportive measures so you don't risk trading DOCs.