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When Does Benzo WD End? Please help!

S

Stotched

Bluelighter
Joined
Aug 12, 2014
Messages
217
Location
Flagstaff, Arizona
I posted here back in July about coming off a daily 20mg flubromazolam, 10mg clonazolam, 10mg etizolam habit. I was also using 8mg of suboxone daily, 3 grams phenibu daily, 900mg gabapentin twice daily, along with a minimum of a pint of vodka. These tolerances did not happen overnight, and in my previous post I mentioned that hospitals thought I was drug seeking when I sought treatment.

Its been almost 5 months since I had my last drug. I still feel very weak and can barely get out of bed. I also sleep about 3 hours a night, in one hour spurts, being woken up by a jolt of adrenaline, pounding heart and sweating.

I'm worried that with the doses I was taking, mixed with the alcohol and sub's I have permanently destroyed my brain. My friends and family have commented on my mental decline.

Will this post acute benzo withdrawal ever end? My doctor said most people are fine after 3 months of withdrawing, any input is appreciated.
 
Hey there. I understand what you are going through. I was using about 10-14mg of etizolam everyday for about 8 months. I ran out one day and had a seizure. I realised I had to get off it. I went to the doc and was put on 30mgs of diazepam, but it wasn't enough, and for months I was still in horrible wds. I don't want this to freak you out, but I went into drug induced psychosis when tapering.. It took my body and mind over a year to adjust.

Also, I promise you, you haven't destroyed your brain. I thought the same thing. My short term memory is back now :) It takes up to a year after your last dose to get back to normal.

Mate, you need to taper off slowly and properly, by switching to a long acting benzo. If they put you on the right dose, it will make life so much easier. Please go back to your doctor, explain, and get him to help you. In the UK, benzos are heavily scheduled, but they helped me as benzo w/ds can be life threatening. They have a duty to help you. If you do it with a doc, in a controlled way, it would help you so much.
 
I have been to many doctors in my area. The best one I found gave me a 5 day script for librium, which I believe made things worse. I live in an area that just cracked down on prescription pill abuse, and it is very hard to find a doctor to give a benzo. They all think I'm drug seeking, and they all claim I would be dead if I took what I was taking. I'm now on probation or I would just buy kpins off the street and taper myself.
 
Are you with a substance misuse clinic? If yes, get them to speak to your doc. If no, register ASAP!

It is hard getting on a tapering program, especially with all the crack downs.

I went to a doc whilst in w/d, and wrote up 2 pages of all the physical and mental w/ds I was having. They immediately put me on something. If I were you, I'd tell them you're JUST abusing benzos (not opiates), for anxiety, and tell them how dedicated you are to give up. Describe the worst w/d you've had. (I think they only took me seriously as I was really messed up and terrified about having another seizure).

They have to be careful handing out benzos, but if you seem genuine, I'm sure they will help you. (Also, make sure you don't ask directly for a script. Instead, just tell them about the horrendous w/ds, how you know they are life threatening, etc. Tell them how you want a professional to help you, in a controlled way.)
 
Have you read the Ashton Manual?

Many people have issues with long-lasting (months to years, to indefinitely) PAWS symptoms after quitting alcohol or benzodiazepines or barbiturates. It is best to have tapered.

Some people cannot taper properly on their own, and in this case you should seek professional help. It appears you did so and doctors thought you were drug-seeking instead of desiring to have a healthy, medically assisted taper. This makes me sad and I hope one day that medical professionals catch up to the rest of the world. <3
 
@Stotched,
Indeed, it seems we are a bit like an avatar when we are under benzos 24/7.
If you keep up with your tolerance, you get use to deal with difficult issues quite easy.
And that changes substantially when you quit!! It's tough.
Congratulations on your victory!! :) <3
Erik
 
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