Mental Health Not sure if I need an antidepressant or time (post drug use, sobriety)

[behindblueeyes]

So this last month has been quite a whirlwind for me to say the least.

A month ago, I quit benzos after being on them for years. The withdrawal is pretty much over.
I quit drinking about a week ago.
I quit adderall too (was prescribed, but I couldn't stop myself from abusing it)

I'm now completely sober, minus remeron for sleep and cigarettes.

The problem is, my anxiety is pretty bad. It comes and goes in waves. My depression is getting better, but my social anxiety is through the roof. I really get nervous because I start trembling in social situations very easily.

This is also the first time in years I haven't had a benzo or other mind-altering substance to deal with it. I have a doctor appointment Monday, and I'm not sure if I should inquire about an anti-depressant, beta-blocker, etc. or just ride it out and see if sobriety lessons the anxiety more over time.

I'm particularly interested right now in beta-blockers for the physical symptoms of anxiety. Does anyone have any experience? Do they cause mental fog?

I just feel like I need something as when I was at my worst, I demoted myself at work. I'm trying to prove myself again and it's hard when I'm shaking like a leaf.

Thanks!

Edit: My apologies if this is in the wrong forum. Move as needed.

 

[Tillyy]

at my worst, clonidine worked great. its mostly for opiate WD but it helps calm your body down when you get those waves of anxiety that happen in benzo WD.

 

[Keif' Richards]

^ I second the Clonidine idea. It's just a great all around drug for managing withdrawal symptoms of all kinds.

Unfortunately Benzodiazepine dependence is hard to fully break. It can take months or even a couple of years before you are completely back to normal. If it helps, you should constantly reaffirm yourself mentally with the knowledge that time and abstinence from sedatives will heal most of your problems.

 

[behindblueeyes]

Thanks for the responses. Sorry it took so long.

My anxiety is actually getting better without adding antidepressants in. I didn't think so much about it being benzo withdrawal related, but I'm about a month and a half of being benzo free and things ARE GETTING BETTER . It's hard for me to know what my "baseline" is because I was medicated on benzos, etc. for so long but I feel like I'm getting there.

I've never tried Clonodine but I was scripted Gabapentin when I came off the benzos, and the combo of that and Remeron indeed helped (I now only take Remeron).

I know this is a bit off topic for the Basic Drug Discussion forum but I wanted to give some positive advice to those dependent on benzos from someone who has been there- It can be done!! 2 months ago I was a suicidal mess and hit rock bottom head first. I was pulled off benzos cold turkey in a psychiatric hospital. It hasn't been an easy road. What really helps during withdrawal is sobriety from all recreational drugs, exercise, and time. It's still very tough, but after a month things gradually start improving.

It's not easy, and I definitely recommend tapering, but the brain will heal itself eventually.

I'm starting to realize my underlying issues of self-esteem and OCD type anxiety that I've always had and will work to get that treated after more time of sobriety.

 

[《Plasticity》]

Hmm, I'm gonna go ahead and move this to mental health. Please check out sober living as well should you ever feel like relapse is imminent. I wish you the best of luck, be strong

BDD -> MH

 

[Tillyy]

Thanks for the responses. Sorry it took so long.

My anxiety is actually getting better without adding antidepressants in. I didn't think so much about it being benzo withdrawal related, but I'm about a month and a half of being benzo free and things ARE GETTING BETTER . It's hard for me to know what my "baseline" is because I was medicated on benzos, etc. for so long but I feel like I'm getting there.


I've never tried Clonodine but I was scripted Gabapentin when I came off the benzos, and the combo of that and Remeron indeed helped (I now only take Remeron).

I know this is a bit off topic for the Basic Drug Discussion forum but I wanted to give some positive advice to those dependent on benzos from someone who has been there- It can be done!! 2 months ago I was a suicidal mess and hit rock bottom head first. I was pulled off benzos cold turkey in a psychiatric hospital. It hasn't been an easy road. What really helps during withdrawal is sobriety from all recreational drugs, exercise, and time. It's still very tough, but after a month things gradually start improving.

It's not easy, and I definitely recommend tapering, but the brain will heal itself eventually.

I'm starting to realize my underlying issues of self-esteem and OCD type anxiety that I've always had and will work to get that treated after more time of sobriety.

hey man that gives me hope. my doc is tapering me from 4 mg of clonazepam and 30 mg of temeazepam a day. ive been on them for years. sometimes i feel like i will never be able to kick. wishing you the best

 

[Rybee]

I actually quite like Beta-Blockers to hide the physiological symptoms of acute anxiety; rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, agitation etc... and I do keep a packet of 40mg Propranolol handy for infrequent use. No real side effects and as I say, it works pretty well for me. However, it is useless for the psychological symptoms of anxiety and Benzodiazepines are much better for that IMO. Though granted, unlike Beta-Blockers, the long term use of Benzodiazepines isn't really sustainable.

I like to stay off the meds as much as possible though and learn alternative ways of managing with anxiety. I think it's quite easy to forget that anxiety is a natural emotion and often it's quite rational to be anxious in a lot more situations than we think.

Good luck either way.