Tapering off Alcohol - Already on Benzos

[EternallyDamned]

For the past 6-8 months I've been consuming about 6-7 beers per night - never enough to get drunk, just enough to relax. The problem is, I've discovered that if I try to go a night without beer - well needless to say I'll start having withdrawal symptoms. I've been doing some research on the Internet and I know it is entirely possible to taper off of alcohol and this is what I plan to do over the next 2-3 weeks. I've also read it's a good idea to have some Benzos on hand for the withdrawal symptoms. The problem is, I'm already prescribed 4mg of Clonazepam per day - 1mg 2X daily and 2mg at night. I have plenty of Clonazepam stockpiled (I use to not take it) so here's my question - While I'm tapering, should I just increase my dose of Clonazepam to ward off the withdrawal symptoms - will that be enough? I know a lot of you would say go to Detox but I have no insurance, I'd lose my job and I graduate from college in May - so tapering seems to be the best way to go. Any suggestions?

 

[aveoturbo]

I would just use enough to stave off the w/d's. IE, if you start getting anxious or fiending for a drink, then take a dose of your benzo. Its not wise to just replace one drug for another. Good luck! Stay safe!

 

[Legerity]

Yeah that is already a decent amount of clonazepam. I would consider it a transition from drinking to not drinking by using a different substance rather than actually helping process withdrawal. I'm not an expert with substance withrawal...seriously the worst I've had is with caffeine or nicotine...so I don't know how it feels. But if you can do it bit by bit without having to replace with clonzepam then you can potentially avoid a massive clonazepam tolerance to deal with afterward. Although if you are just talking about a few days it may be helpful as long as you acknowledge that it is a temporary replacement rather than a solution.

 

[Missykins]

When you say that you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, what do you mean exactly?

 

[EternallyDamned]

I'm fine during the day - for about 24 hours after I'm had my last drink. At that point, I start experiencing anxiety, nausea, irritability and my heart rate increases.