withdrawal
This is my first post -- I just stumbled on the thread by complete accident....
I love G -- though I know the factors which do not make it the "perfect" drug. For me, the downsides are clear -- unless you have nothing much to do in your life as far as significant responsibilities, its not going to work. I used GBL for an aggregate of 2 years (24/7) probably between 2003 and 2005 (inclusive, so 2 out of 3 years). There were times we (my roommate and I) would run out, and that always meant going without.
And my impression of G withdrawals are this: there is no greater panic-inducing feeling than getting off of G, BUT, the time for recovery is relatively short. Compared to what I have heard about people who get dependent on benzos (alprazolam/xanax or valium, etc) these drugs get far more integrated into your neurochemistry and some people have never felt the same again. For me, basically when I ran out of G, I would drink a great deal (and/or take benzos as I was lucky enough to have a prescription), and after getting through 2 days using EtOH and benzos, I would be OK. Usually during these two days, taking enough of either the benzos (which require a huge amount comparatively because your neurotransmitters are so out of whack) or EtOH I would end up passing out/sleeping.... as being awake was not going to cut it But then, by the third day, I was fine... maybe 1 mg of xanax 2x a day or a few drinks during the day... but all in all, better.
It wasn't simple.... and sure, I suffered a little anhedonia (inability to be happy), but that faded maybe a week later.
And of course, I missed it sorely -- but that was psychological, not physiological.
What I don't understand is why people here are going to such great lengths (in using various compounds and/or titrating off G, etc) in withdrawing. In my opinion, you cannot titrate off G.... as long as I had it, I used it... I might have cut down a bit if I had to go to work... but I never stopped. So, if it wasn't for the unavailability, i.e., if they had sold it at 7-11 stores.... I might still use it, but I probably would have lost my job and condo over the next 3 years.
As it has been said here, GBL has a lot steeper dose response than GHB... GBL is rocket fuel compared to GHB (and 1,4 butanediol was awful.... it worked, but I would end up puking at least once a week in some G blackout) so GHB, if it were tinkered with a bit more to allow it to have a much longer half-life in the body.... making it slower than normal GHB (which would be 25x slower than GBL), it might be able to be a suitable "euphoriant" (though until the Feds wise up, it won't be legal anytime soon). But I never had such fun as I did on G. But then, I only ordered the highest quality GBL from Europe through hushmail accounts, etc... so I was not getting garbage--- this was lab quality.
But bottom line, my input here is to suggest to others who want off of it.... 1) dump it out, 2) just try and drink or heaviliy medicate yourself for 2 days (3 days max), and most people should not suffer those continued panic/anxiety problems (of which I am all too familiar). After that, you might be a bit bored or depressed for a month, but not in some kind of hell.... and of course you will miss it... But after a few months, and you will forget about it.
P