Benzos Need help. I'm addicted to alprazolam

[tricomb]

Honestly at that dose you could just quit cold turkey or taper down with whatever you have left and quit. Some people like to just get the WDs over with and move on. Its definitely not going to be easy man but you can do it! (get weed)

Are you seriously telling someone that they can cold turkey discontinue a benzodiazepine, especially one as potent as alprazolam at a dosage of 2mg?

2mg is no small dose and that "advice" you gave could kill someone, benzodiazepine withdrawal can induce seizures which can easily turn fatal, so please think twice before posting this is a harm reduction focus forum.

 

[556m4]

I'm not prescribed the alprazolam. That's why I've never went to a doctor I acquire it from a reliable source. I've always had a ample supply of it. I'm just worried i'm not going to be able to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe somebody alprazolam who is technically an abuser. I have been taking it steadily since November of 2009, and I doubt i will be able to find a doctor who is going to prescribe me alprazolam or diazepam. I was only using 1mg a day split into 2 .5mg doses until April of this year until I started having problems. I increased the dose gradually to where i'm at now which is 1mg twice a day.
I know its hard to believe but I don't take it for a high just to keep me sane and functional. I know i'm abusing drugs but I don't get any kind of high from it just relief from anxiety which is anxiety from interdose withdrawl. I can't really get high off the stuff, even when I didn't have a tolerance before I was dependent I would take .5mg and just go to sleep. I doubt a doctor is going to believe me that I don't take it for a high. All it ever did for me was knock me out.
Thanks for the support Swimmingdancer.

 

[MissNervosa]

First off,stop being so hard on yourself! It sounds like the xanax got you through some hard times,and it is VERY addictive after just a couple weeks of daily use.

Hey there, I can help you with this, but it involves you speaking with a doctor. Just make an appointment, any physician will do, a GP is fine, NOT AN ADDICTION SPECIALIST (Just because you're trying to quit doesn't make you an addict, if you're not abusing your medication do not see an addiction doc), you can even just walk into the ER. I would recommend you call and make an appointment with Urgent Care, they'll know what that means, tell them that you would like assistance discontinuing your medication by slowly tapering off, switching first to diazepam.

2mg alprazolam is equipotent/equal to 40mg diazepam, so that's what you want to make sure the doctor writes the prescription for. Be very clear to the doctor that the taper is to be completed at your own pace, this is not something that should be accomplished in 30 days
What you're going to want to try first is tapering your medication down very slowly. The slower you taper, the better and easier it will be to discontinue the medication and also, in my experience, refrain from relapsing ever again in the future.

Then usually every two weeks you can drop 5mg, so it will take you about 8 weeks minimum to complete this taper. Sometimes the patient experiences more difficultly as they reach the lower doses, and then the taper should be extended gradually per the patients comfort.

This ^ is excellent advice and exactly what I did when I was addicted to xanax.Only my tolerance was at 6-10mg a day that was built over 2 years.My doctor was a fucktard and cut me off cold turkey,resulting in a visit to the ER.

I ended up seeing an addiction specialist who put me on a diazepam taper as described by tricomb only I started at 75 mg spread into 3 doses throughout the day,as i was taking far more xanax than you.It's much smoother if you spread your dose out,and it should keep the initial rebound anxiety at bay.My taper involved me just having 5mg less every couple of weeks or whatever I felt comfortable with.

If your G.P isn't helpful,I'd suggest trying a psychiatrist next and leave the addiction specialist as a last resort,as you haven't been abusing them.The only reason I went to an addiction specialist was because the G.P who was prescribing the xanax wouldn't see me,and I couldn't afford a psychiatrist.

In the meantime,try learning some breathing techniques to help you through the panic.Also download/buy a guided meditation for sleep,as I found it hugely helpful when I was up at all hours with insomnia.

I promise you though,the diazepam taper is not as hard as it seems right now.It is far far easier than just reducing your xanax (I tried that before and it was near imposible).Take care and let us know how you're going

 

[cook]

http://www.benzobuddies.org/

From there you can find lots of good quality information and discussion and support related to this subject. The most important thing is that never go CT with benzos after extended period of time. Not only it can harm you, but it can also lenghten the recovery time your body needs after you have completely stopped using.

I would also consider using GABAenergic supplements like phenibut and l-theanine during withdrawal if you find them helpful as some do. Good luck OP, but you don't really need luck because your problem is still completely manageable, you just have to be able to stand some level of discomfort during and after the withdrawal.

 

[bronson]

I'm just worried i'm not going to be able to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe somebody alprazolam who is technically an abuser.

Abuser or not, any doctor with their head on straight should understand the implications of benzo withdrawal and respect the fact that you want to get off of them. It's a situation where the only way to safely quit is to do a taper, and it goes against the patients well being not to recognize this fact.

If you end up with a doctor that doesn't understand, chances are they are a poor doctor in the first place. I would not hesitate to look for doctors until you find one that gets it. Imo, that's why I suggested a psychiatrist to start, as they generally are more knowledgeable about this specific class of medication, but by all means even a GP should understand and be helpful.

 

[Skeeef]

Wow what an incompetent doctor wds from benzo can kill people...

 

[keeponkeepnon]

Just some suggestions of my own Relora (over the counter) = a wonderful supplement that is GABAergenic and works very similarly to benzos.
Another suggestion that can help but I'm not sure how you would go about getting it is Lyrica (Precription). This drug is magical in it's ability to almost completely quell the need for a benzo and it doesn't even require a dose higher than 150 mgs. Neurontin is a similar drug which may be easier to come by but may not be as effective.
The memantine may also be something VERY worth looking into. This is exciting to hear about as I too have been on Xanax+Klonopin for 3-4 years. Xanax - .75 mg daily Klonopin - 3 mgs daily.

I think you've gotten some very sound advice especially regarding the switch to Diazepam. A close family member who was on barbs then ativan for 40+ years has now been working a diazepam taper for a year or two.

Finding a compassionate dr will be key. Ask some friends or perhaps pay for angieslist and search out a doctor who has very good ratings and then just be honest and any good dr will respect your honesty and want to help you and will help you.

I hope you find peace in your journey towards being free of BZ's. I too will need it someday.

*edit*

Was just thinking a couple of othe things that can help is a very good Magnesium supplement. And if you choose to utilize any Phenibut I would get it through a product called MRM-Relax All and follow the directions to a T. It is VERY good for sleep but you cannot use it long term.

 

[jambabomba]

Hi,

I was about in same situation as you are now. I know it is hard and I wish you best luck.

I used 2-4mg xanax and about 40mg temazepam at evenings about six months. Also I used 5g phenibut and 300mg lyrica everyday. I did very rapid taper from xanax and if I remember correctly about in week or two I was on zero or allmost zero. Then I did rapid taper also with temazepam and it was hard physically and emotionally but I think Lyrica and phenibut helped even though my body is dependent on them allso so I don't know how much they had helped on withdrawal process cause my gaba receptors are allso adjusted to them over time.

So I did rapid taper and then took few diazepams and let them selftaper and that was it. After I had took diazepam it was easier but that last week was still hard and everyday harder until after about seven (7) or eight (8) days after last diazepam dose my mood suddenly brightened and I felt really good and liked to talk people wich I usually doesn't do. That suprised me. And after that I didn't had any withdrawal symptoms or PAWS.

I don't suggest anything taper schedule but I believe 2mg with rapid taper isn't going to give seizures or anything lethal problems if you are healthy and young person. I agree it will be stress on your body because of elevated blood pressure, insomnia, cortisol etc. but that isn't lethal or permanently damaging if one is healthy. But that is just my opinion - I'm not a medical professional. I only have personal experience with withdrawals from benzos more than once.

 

[cook]

Another suggestion that can help but I'm not sure how you would go about getting it is Lyrica (Precription). This drug is magical in it's ability to almost completely quell the need for a benzo and it doesn't even require a dose higher than 150 mgs.

I'm sorry but there is nothing magical about pregabalin, it tends to cause very difficult addiction too. Just like benzos, and some people find it useful for substituting their opiate addiction for pregabalin. But it is just trading for one thing for another, and in this case probably worse than the original drug.

 

[xxsicknessxx]

Please try kicking heroin. benzos aint shit. go to detox they give you a bezo-like meds that will help with the withdrawals. your not on a high amount so i cant imagine that you would have any seizures, which happen to people who really over do that shit. Also there are tons of doctors that would help you out. you just have to find the right one. good luck buddy take care of it now while its still possible.

Uhhh.. have you kicked benzos? You can't die from heroin you can die from benzos... and the not sleeping is way worse with benzos I think IMO... heroin is terible but a equal dose of benzos compared to heroin is a equal hell of its own.. very bad and depending on how it effects you it can be a horrible event. I don't think his dosage is that high to really have that bad of WD IMO also but still ... a lot of herion compaired to a lot of xanex is just as bad plus u can die... :L

I agree with everyone else go to a doctor maybe they put you on phenobarital to WD which is very long lasting 24 hours... help you kick it (what they use in detoxes)

 

[MissNervosa]

Wow what an incompetent doctor wds from benzo can kill people...

Yup,I ended up in the ER after a seizure,and they sent me home with like 25mg of valium and said that should be enough to taper (pfft yeah right).I went through more withdrawal hell,and ended up back in the ER after a suicide attempt.

Incompetent is an understatement

 

[jerkme]

mybest thoughts on this

I am currently addicted to alprazolam, I take 2mg a day. Here is my situation I started taking alprazolam everyday since november of 2009 because I was having problems sleeping and it worked great at knocking me out I was taking .5 mg a night to sleep, so stupid i know.

I continued taking that dose for about six months until I started noticing withdrawl symptoms about 18 hours after my last dose. I began taking .25 mg in the afternoon and .50 at bedtime. So now i'm up to 2mg a day, 1mg morning and 1mg at night.

I am fully aware of the dangers of doing what i'm doing I'm just tired of living in this cycle, my emotions are blunted and I can tell a difference in my cognitive ability and memory. I have only been using 2mg a day for the past 4 months due to problems in my family where I was under a lot of stress with work and the death of a close family member, which is no excuse.

Previous to that I was taking .50 morning and .50 at night. I have tried to direct taper everyway I know how, except water titration but I just cant do it. I am fully aware of all the benzo sites out there and have read the Ashton manual a couple of times. I just can't seem to reduce my dosage. I don't have a prescription for them I acquire them from other sources which are reliable.

I don't have health insurance and am afraid of going to a doctor because I don't know what they would say or if they would help me out. I just want to get off without going cold turkey. I honestly don't take them for any kind of high or anything just to keep the withdrawls at bay.

I wonder if I went to a doctor and told them my story would they believe me? I need opinions suggestions some kind of direction, I can't take time off work. I just want to get off this I'm tired of being chained to the pills. Your replies and suggestions are much appreciated I am fully aware of what I've gotten myself into so please no insults I just need some kind of direction like what kind of doctor to go and see I haven't been to a primary care doctor for at least 10 years so I don't have one. I'am in good health in my early 30's and have always been in pretty good physical health and shape. Again your suggestions and replies are appreciated -556m4

So, you can not afford to go rehab? What ever you do DONT stop cold turkey. WHat i think you should do is make an appointment with a psychiatrist and tell him what happend. tell him you want to get off of them. he maay put you on a safer benzo like valium wich is far far longer lasting and has a halflife that is so long ....... you would prob never have seizure coming off them. Valium is far easier to get off as well. Xanax is very bad benzo. there are some that are worse but you cant get them in this country. I dont want to scare you but long term benzo use may be linked to Alzheimer’s and Dementia later in life.

 

[inthetriptank]

hey OP, i know this thread is from awhile ago, so don't know where you are at currently re. your benzo dependance, just wanted to put in my 2 cents...i am an long-term opioid addict currently tapering myself, and just wanted to reiterate what some others on this thread have said: ANY REPUTABLE doctor will help you. i have watched friends and a long-term partner struggle with benzodiazepine withdrawal, and it is no joke. I feel for you and want you to know that help IS available. you don't have to do it on your own, and asking a healthcare professional to help you is just asking them to do their job...i myself had, and continue to have, issues with asking for help (especially from family), but you need to put your health first for your family and yourself...please see a doctor if you haven't already, most of those I've dealt with are kind and professional. the BL community is also super helpful good luck and I hope you are doing well.

 

[etnies]

ajabaday;"Please try kicking heroin. benzos aint shit. go to detox they give you a bezo-like meds that will help with the withdrawals. your not on a high amount so i cant imagine that you would have any seizures, which happen to people who really over do that shit. Also there are tons of doctors that would help you out. you just have to find the right one. good luck buddy take care of it now while its still possible."

I kicked a 260mg a day habit of oxycodone in the past, after taking them for a considerable amount of time. I would rather do this ten times over than to try and detox cold turkey off the amount of alprazolam I am on. If I could somehow magically switch my benzo addiction for a heroin addiction I would do it in a heartbeat.

Ask anyone who has detoxed off benzodiazepines and heroin which was worse. I'm not a pussy, but you evidently have no idea what you are talking about, 2mg is not a small dose.

This.

EDIT: wow wtf, this thread is mad old.