How to avoid Benzo addiction?

[WorldWarMe]

About three to four weeks ago I was prescribed Ativan. They were 0.5mg Sublingual tablets, and I got twenty. A week later I went back (Already done the 20 pills), and was upped to 1.0mg and was given 30. The week later I went back (Done the bottle again), I was prescribed 15mg Temazepam and was given 30. It's been almost two weeks since I was prescribed the Temazepam, and during those two weeks I found another bottle of 0.5mg Lorazepam, 30 tablets, and although they were four years old, I figured they were still good, and I've gone 10 tablets into that bottle.

Realizing that I've been taking a lot of benzos, I decided to stop taking them, and am already 1 and a half days without them. I'm kind of wondering if I'm going to get withdrawals or not, although I feel fine as of now. Does anyone have any opinions on whether or not I'm going to get withdrawals? If so, how bad?

Does anybody know how often they can be used without becoming addicted?
Would lets say once a week be enough to use recreationally but not get addicted?

 

[Psychonauticunt]

Once a week won't make you addicted.
In this time, it doesn't sound like you'll have developed massive withdrawal - the time is short and the doses don't seem to have been ridiculous. If you feel fine now that should be a relatively good sign, since lorazepam and temazepam have fairly short half-lives. If you start feeling shittier try to take the smallest doses you can, but really, I don't think you'll get much in the way of withdrawals in that time.

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Once a week won't give you an addiction. And being off them for 1.5 days with no withdrawal symptoms I'd say is a very good sign. Should you get any withdrawal symptoms take the lowest amount possible...say .5 mgs. That should ward off any "sickness" you may get.

But from reading your post, I'd say you're ok

 

[Violenza666]

Yea just keep your use to as needed... Or just recreationally not daiy to avoid addiction. It will sneak up on you but using them a few days a week is fine!! You will be okay

 

[lostsoul.On.E]

once or twice a week wont get you addicted but it would raise your tolerance. but as long as you stay at the same dose then tolerance shouldnt raise too high

 

[RevRane]

Does anyone know if every other day benzo use will cause physical dependence? I can't find safe use rules...

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

Does anyone know if every other day benzo use will cause physical dependence? I can't find safe use rules...

Yes, every other day use will cause physical dependence if taken long enough. Every other day will very easily become every day.

 

[RevRane]

Yes, every other day use will cause physical dependence if taken long enough. Every other day will very easily become every day.

So do you have guidelines you'd suggest? I have this enormous script and am doing a subutex taper which is making me very uncomfortable and of course they provide relief ... I am getting a lot of answers sayin not to get a habit but not how to make the most out of them while making sure I don't become physically dependent. I have given them to my dad and instructed him to dole them out no more than every other day but maybe I need to amend those instructions...?

 

[WorldWarMe]

I stay at once a week max and I've found it works very well. Knowing that I can go a whole week without touching my Temazepam just shows that I don't have much (if any) dependence to them.

 

[RevRane]

I stay at once a week max and I've found it works very well. Knowing that I can go a whole week without touching my Temazepam just shows that I don't have much (if any) dependence to them.

That seems like a good strategy for long term use, but if one needs them for a few months of a taper it doesn't seem like it would maximize their effectiveness- of course, I am not an expert which is why I ask!

I'd like to get some more opinions, the threads I've read have been all over the board. Maybe it's truly individualized...?

One thing I can say is that my Dr.'s response to this concern was truly disconcerting: "Well, let's first get you tapered from subutex over the next six months then we will taper you from Xanax." Obviously she's never been through w/d if she thinks that's an acceptable plan (knowing that I am not currently addicted to benzos).