Diclazepam (2'-chlorodiazepam) has been recommended a lot on the internet for tapering.
What about Ro5-4864 (4'-chlorodiazepam) or gidazepam/desalkylgidazepam - has anyone tried them, for tapering purposes or otherwise? i'd greatly appreciate any input!
OK diclazepam was actually designed as 'the methadone of benzos' with a half-life of 42 hours and a half-life of active metabolites (delorazepam, lormetazepam & lorazepam) of about 9 days.
It's quite reasonable to dose diclazepam once a day. It is a high-affinity ligand. For that reason, if one can get down to 2-4mg/day, swapping for 20-40mg of diazepam and reducing is likely the best option.
I was taking 24mg/day of diclazepam for over a year and the doctor had to give me 360mg of diazepam to stop the severe symptoms. It took me a year to stop and 10 years later diazepam still has no effect on me so I think the 'kindling effect' extents to permanent alteration of the receptor.
Oh, but another tactic is to swap to clobazam (a 1,5-benzodiazepine). It binds at different sites so in practice it just reduces anxiety and increases seizure threshold. You will still have a LOT of anxiety (clobazam seems to have a ceiling) but it's possible to go from a huge habit to nothing (in practical terms) in a way that is quite safe. But of course, ask a doctor.