Depressant Withdrawal (Benzo's, Atypical, & Alcohol)

[Cid Lysergic]

Recently after starting on Bupropion (Zyban), I have had to use for close to 2 weeks now & downer I can to balance myself from this stimulant, to deal with roommates who have no common curtosy, to deal with a bi-polar father who also takes Bupropion (but does not believe in the existance of side effects), and to sleep.

I have been taking straight Vodka, Oxazepam, Loraxepam, Zopiclone, & Methocarbamol for close to 2 weeks now.

I only do this as I work early on in the mornings & the roommates refuse to turn down their tvs, so psychological addiction is not a problem in this situation. I have 3-4 days off soon, so plan to stop.

From those who have gone through similar Depressant withdrawals, what are the major things to expect & how bad might it be. I also take Oxazepam during the day to control the shakes from Bupropion.

EDIT: Sorry if some things don't read out to be gramatically correct or wrong spelling. Tonight I have had to take a combination of the above to get drowsy.

 

[2cme]

I'd say you can expect to have your typical sedative/hypnotic type wd's, but being that you've only been taking the combo for a few weeks, they probably won't be overly intense and the worst of it shouldn't last for more than a few days.

I've only had experience with alcohol/benzo withdrawal's but I abused them for a much longer period of time.

I'd say you can expect some insomnia - (the toughest one imo), restlessness, headache, and maybe some anxiety. You may have some pretty crazy dreams for a few nights too - (this is because depressants can throw your body's sleep cycles out of whack and then it takes awhile to readjust.)

The important thing to remember is that while it may be tough for a while, it's best to set your mind to quitting and just get through it. The longer you wait the rougher the wd's will be and the longer they will last.

If they are too rough and/or you feel as though you are in physical danger then consult a physician. I really don't think this will be a problem since you were only on them for 2 weeks, but sedative withdrawals can be life threatening if bad enough so I feel I need to say this.

Best of luck to you bud, you can make it.

 

[Allein]

Hi Cid TBH I'm a little confused by your post, it reads as if you are using the Bupropion to WD from Alcohol and / or Benzos ? From what I know about Bupropion that doesn't sound right at all, in fact it sounds unsafe. Maybe you can clarify once your feeling a bit less drowsy

 

[2cme]

What I got from it is that he was recently put on Bupropion and has been taking Vodka, Oxazepam, Lorazepam, Zopiclone, & Methocarbamol at night to counteract Bupropion's stimulating aspect and get some sleep.

At least that's how I interpreted it. Either way good luck cid and maybe you can help clarify.

 

[Allein]

Yeah I kinda got that but the thread title talks about withdrawal, given the effects of Bupropion I was little concerned the OP may be trying to WD from alcohol and/or Benzos whilt on the stuff which I think may be a very bad idea. I'm sure Cid will clarify, but that's a hell of a cocktail if its just for sleep.

 

[VanWeyden]

Bupropion is known to lower the seizure threshold and it's dangerous to simultaneously start bupropion and withdrawal from depressants like alcohol or benzos. By the way, I don't really understand the harsh side effects you experienced. ime bupropion had rather mild side effects, I was a bit agitated for the first two days and irritable for a few weeks, but didn't experience shakes or too much sleeplessness. Wouldn't it be a better idea to give another antidepressant a try if you need such a hell of a downer cocktail to fall asleep?

 

[Missykins]

I was placed on bupropion as well but its stimulating effect precipitated an acute manic state for this bipolar individual. I, too, would recommend that you speak to your doc about alternatives.

ps roommates can drive me bonkers.

 

[Cid Lysergic]

To clarify, I was put on Bupropion to quit smoking. I'm using the Depressants to counter-act the upness of the Stimulant as I get really shakey even off of Caffeine. I have 3 or 4 days off of work coming up, so that's my time to get my sleep fixed. Thanks for all the info.

 

[It's a baby!]

Buy earplugs at a hardware store and get a sleep mask. Those two things alone will make a HUGE difference in the quality of your sleep. Good earplugs fit right in and aren't uncomfortable, and the sleep mask will make it so that when you wake up in the middle of the night all you see is pitch blackness.

I know how freaking annoying it is to live with people who like to stay up all night watching TV. I can only imagine how freaking annoying that 'would be if you're withdrawing from benzos. I don't know enough about benzos to recommend whether you should stop entirely or what, but I feel for you.

You're going to have to get off the benzos sooner or later though. The trick to insomnia is not thinking of sleep, you just lie down and say "I'm resting". I really have experienced SEVERE insomnia at some points in my life, to the point that I would stay up for so long that I would become totally delusional, and it's taken simple things (melatonin, bedtime rituals, sleep mask, and a right attitude to sleep) to get me back to normal. I don't even smoke marijuana anymore and I used to think I needed a joint before bed in order to sleep at all.

I'm not trying to minimize your sleep issues by talking about my own insomnia. I'm just saying I've been in a similar place of being dependent on drugs (particularly beer and pot) to be able to sleep, and with time I have learned to sleep without substances. Anyone can. Human beings have been falling asleep for thousands of years without drugs (granted some cultures did use drugs but you get what I'm saying).

 

[Cid Lysergic]

Well so far I haven't quite stopped using downers, but I've reduced. I've stopped using Oxazepam in the day, & only been drinking Green Dragon to put me to bed early rather than combinations. I noticed one time today when I suddenly felt all shakey & anxious while having a bite to eat at McD's, but I chalked that up more to Nicotine withdrawal & was fine when I got home.