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Benzos Question about developing BZD dependence

I

Ignant

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 3, 2011
Messages
80
I am currently taking ativan which I am prescribed and am somewhat worried about developing a dependence. My question is about whether the half life of a benzo has anything to do with how often you have to take it to become physically dependent.
For instance, lorazepam has a half life of 9-16 hours (according to wikipedia, correct me if i'm wrong). If you dont redose for at minnimum the duration or slightly longer of the half life; in this case up to 16 hours, does this keep you from becoming physically dependent? If not is there any usable information on developing BZD dependence? Anything would be appreciated. It goes without saying taking it often is going to lead to dependence eventually, but I'd still like any information available whether on ativan specifically or on benzos in general.
 
Ignant said:
I am currently taking ativan which I am prescribed and am somewhat worried about developing a dependence. My question is about whether the half life of a benzo has anything to do with how often you have to take it to become physically dependent.
For instance, lorazepam has a half life of 9-16 hours (according to wikipedia, correct me if i'm wrong). If you dont redose for at minnimum the duration or slightly longer of the half life; in this case up to 16 hours, does this keep you from becoming physically dependent? If not is there any usable information on developing BZD dependence? Anything would be appreciated. It goes without saying taking it often is going to lead to dependence eventually, but I'd still like any information available whether on ativan specifically or on benzos in general.
Click to expand...

A half life for a drug indicates how long it takes half of the drug to be removed from your system. You can still become dependent on a drug taking it based on the half life.

To avoid dependence, you shouldn't take benzodiazepines more often than once or twice a week. Twice a week even might be pushing it for benzodiazepines like flurazepam or diazepam.
 
i find that regardless of half-life once a week is about all i can get away with. anymore than that and the rebound syndrome is quite grave, where in spite of my best intentions i keep using more and more in a sort of avalanche effect. i've always preferred the short to intermediate acting benzos, although especially for persistent anxiety i find clorazepate and diazepam quite nice.
 
it always depends on the person, but if you are anxiety prone, the side effects will be mentally there, as a desire to take a benzo and relax. i use them often, because they help, alot. im trying to find that fine line also and trying to use half life to help myself not become physically dependant. for people like me, who have addictive/abusive personalties, mental withdrawal or cravings can be immediate on shorter acting benzos especially. i dont know as much as id like to, but am learning. -aphex
 
The half life does not play a major part. Ativan is the worst benzo regarding dependency IMO, I've used benzo's (alprazolam, oxazepam, temazepam etc.) for years sometimes binging few weeks, mostly only handful of times a week. Never experienced withdrawal. When I tried Ativan for less than a week at night, 1-2mg, I become instantly dependent on it and suffered almost a week of nasty withdrawal symptoms. Be really careful with Ativan.
 
Thanks for the replies. This worries me because I was taking 1.5mg of clonazepam 2-5 times a week for about a month and have now been taking ativan almost daily for about 10 days, im not entirely sure which days I didnt take them if there were any. The last time I dosed was last night. When/if can i expect withdrawals to start? What can I do to manage them? I plan on not taking any benzo for at least 2 weeks after reading the post above.
 
I'd think you'd need to wait more than just one half life. More like 5-6 (this is usually considered the the time for the drug to be gone from your body) . This gives once to twice per week for most benzos to avoid dependence. Basically you want to give your brain at least as much time off the benzo than on.
 
With my friend the Benzo' withdrawal kicks in about a day or day and a half after last dosing and can last up to three days. Nothing bad but can be a bit uncomfortable. As with anything try to taper.
 
benzo withdrawals are worse than heroin withdrawals, they last months, not 3 days.

from a month's worth of moderate use, i doubt you'll notice much of a withdrawal.
 
Ignant said:
Thanks for the replies. This worries me because I was taking 1.5mg of clonazepam 2-5 times a week for about a month and have now been taking ativan almost daily for about 10 days, im not entirely sure which days I didnt take them if there were any. The last time I dosed was last night. When/if can i expect withdrawals to start? What can I do to manage them? I plan on not taking any benzo for at least 2 weeks after reading the post above.
Click to expand...

Lorazepam is so short acting you should feel them 24-48hrs after your last dose if you have developed depedency.
 
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