I agree with the majority of what other posters have said. If you're trying to stop as quickly as possible then it is entirely up to you and how much discomfort you are willing to deal with. It sounds like you will have a steady supply to wean off with, which is a huge positive. Benzo withdrawals can be a nightmare. Follow the tapering advice you've been given here and if it gets to where you are unable to function as you normally would in daily life (be it work, school, running errands, etc.) you may want to slow down the tapering process, allow your body to get used to what dose you are at (especially once you hit that 5mg mark and lower). If you are not working or going to school right now then you may want to tough it out and stay on track if you are serious about your deadline of January. Just don't fool yourself into thinking that as soon as you make it to 0 the game is over. The real fight is just beginning. Nobody here has really mentioned what happens after you taper off so I'll give you the general idea of what you can expect (though everyone reacts differently).
Herbal supplements and Tips that may alleviate the severity of withdrawal symptoms:
Obviously taking vitamins (magnesium is a must), drinking water, and eating well are all important and can have a large impact on the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Some herbal supplements that are often recommended include Valerian, Kava Kava, 5-HTP, L-Tryptophan, Melatonin, and St. John's Wort. Many help with anxiety, some help with sleep, and more. Neurontin (Gabapentin) can be great for easing anxiety, sleeping, and can help give you an appetite (must be doctor prescribed though, so since you want to keep it from your doc you would probably want to try the ER or a private/public clinic near you. Some of the supplements above are GABA agonists, meaning they stimulate activity at the GABA receptor creating the potential of a slight, often negligible increase in the overall length of withdrawals.
What happens after the physical withdrawals subside:
The physical withdrawals will pass fairly quickly once you've completely tapered off (usually no more than a couple weeks, less if you've tapered at a reasonable pace). The mental withdrawals take much longer and may cause noticeable changes in your mood and behavior. You're likely to feel agitated, impatient, and more stressed out than usual. You will likely find yourself craving the drug long after it's out of your system as well. This is the truly hard part, and it's where most people slip up. Find someone you can talk to openly about the issue. Friend, family member, counselor, it doesn't matter. Just find someone that won't judge you and understands your situation. Be sure to call them if you find yourself thinking about using. Anyone who has been in your position can tell you that having someone to confide in can make all the difference in the world. Try it alone and you' can find yourself rationalizing your way back to where you started before you even know what happened.
Getting through the mental withdrawals and learning how to prevent relapse:
I'm not advocating starting some 12 step program or anything. From the information you provided it doesn't sound like you're anywhere near that point thankfully. Most people have to hit rock bottom and lose everything and everyone in their life before going to rehab and starting the AA/NA thing. You're making a very wise choice by admitting you have a problem and taking the steps to fix it before it takes over your life in such a drastic way. It may not feel like it sometimes, but the mental and physical effects WILL stop, it just takes time and effort. You may have to change a few things in your life to get there though. The most important thing is recognizing what your triggers are. What places, situations, or people make you crave a couple valium and a drink to wash them down with? When you recognize those triggers you can start taking steps to avoid them permanently. This is the perfect time in your life to start a new hobby, something that you enjoy and takes your mind off using. For me it was playing guitar. I know others who prefer reading, writing, playing sports, or just dusting off that old Xbox or PS3 and getting addicted to some game.
(I got dragged into C.O.D. Black Ops/Black Ops II to join an all recovering addicts clan. Perfect for those like myself who seem to open up more when meetings are held through a mic while indiscriminately mowing down your enemies instead of sitting in some cold room with crappy chairs and crappy coffee while everyone takes turns crying and telling the same story over and over). My best friend actually started to DJ after leaving rehab, now it's been five years and his hobby turned into a well-paying career.
My point is, it doesn't matter what you choose... but having a hobby you enjoy means having a place to clear your head when you are feeling the pressure.
Sorry for the novel here, I probably made it all look much harder than it has to be. There is light at the end of the tunnel, it just takes time and effort to get there. hopefully you can scan through it and find something that helps a little. %)
- DeadheadChemistry
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