Hello all,
Been reading Bluelight.com threads for about a year now, and I've finally decided to post something.
I'd like to begin by talking about my best friend. He struggles with a severe anxiety disorder that is exacerbated by his work-life and occasional irresponsible drug use. A little under a year ago, he developed a physical dependence for oxycodone. At the time, he was also frequently using marijuana, alcohol, and adderall. This finally stopped when his supply ran out, and he went through excruciating withdrawals. He had also been abusing other medications such as codeine, and vyvanse (which he would binge on). After this passed, he was sober for about 3 weeks, then began smoking marijuana again. Nowadays, my friend does not go near opiates, as he remembers the terrible withdrawal symptoms he forced upon himself. However, he does currently use cocaine, adderall or vyvanse 1-3 times a week, along with the infrequent administration of benzodiazepines, and weekly consumption of marijuana.
Now, he has been taking an SSNRI as prescribed for about 4 weeks, as well as gabapentin (also prescribed) for anxiety. It has helped with his depression, but his anxiety still gets in the way of enjoying life. He understands that abusing stimulants does increase his anxiety, especially during the comedown/day after he uses, yet his stressful job always results in him coming back for more (and before you ask: no, he cannot quit his job at the moment). He is now trying to step back from all stimulants in order to get ahold of his anxiety. The drugs he is currently prescribed are not helping him get through a rough period, and his psychiatrist refuses to write a script for any benzodiazepine because of his history with drug abuse. My friend told me he is thinking of self-medicating with xanax, which he does not enjoy recreationally at all, but does find very helpful for his anxiety. He only wants to use it for about 2-2.5 weeks, and does not want to create another issue. He also does not need to take it every day.
This sparked my curiosity around his "self-medicating." I am wondering if it is possible that he could be successful in taking a certain dose of xanax every now and then to get through this rough patch, without experiencing any sort of withdrawal effects.
TL;DR: Is there a dose of xanax my friend can take--and how often--for about 2 weeks, to relieve his stress and avoid dependence/withdrawal and/or addiction?
Thank you all very much,
A Newcomer
Been reading Bluelight.com threads for about a year now, and I've finally decided to post something.
I'd like to begin by talking about my best friend. He struggles with a severe anxiety disorder that is exacerbated by his work-life and occasional irresponsible drug use. A little under a year ago, he developed a physical dependence for oxycodone. At the time, he was also frequently using marijuana, alcohol, and adderall. This finally stopped when his supply ran out, and he went through excruciating withdrawals. He had also been abusing other medications such as codeine, and vyvanse (which he would binge on). After this passed, he was sober for about 3 weeks, then began smoking marijuana again. Nowadays, my friend does not go near opiates, as he remembers the terrible withdrawal symptoms he forced upon himself. However, he does currently use cocaine, adderall or vyvanse 1-3 times a week, along with the infrequent administration of benzodiazepines, and weekly consumption of marijuana.
Now, he has been taking an SSNRI as prescribed for about 4 weeks, as well as gabapentin (also prescribed) for anxiety. It has helped with his depression, but his anxiety still gets in the way of enjoying life. He understands that abusing stimulants does increase his anxiety, especially during the comedown/day after he uses, yet his stressful job always results in him coming back for more (and before you ask: no, he cannot quit his job at the moment). He is now trying to step back from all stimulants in order to get ahold of his anxiety. The drugs he is currently prescribed are not helping him get through a rough period, and his psychiatrist refuses to write a script for any benzodiazepine because of his history with drug abuse. My friend told me he is thinking of self-medicating with xanax, which he does not enjoy recreationally at all, but does find very helpful for his anxiety. He only wants to use it for about 2-2.5 weeks, and does not want to create another issue. He also does not need to take it every day.
This sparked my curiosity around his "self-medicating." I am wondering if it is possible that he could be successful in taking a certain dose of xanax every now and then to get through this rough patch, without experiencing any sort of withdrawal effects.
TL;DR: Is there a dose of xanax my friend can take--and how often--for about 2 weeks, to relieve his stress and avoid dependence/withdrawal and/or addiction?
Thank you all very much,
A Newcomer
