Will I experience benzo withdrawel?

[olab7]

Hey everyone, I searched and couldn't fine any helpful information. I'm new to taking my benzos perscribed and I'd like to take them as much as possible for my anxiety but would like to avoid any future withdrawal.

Here has been my Benzo schedule starting November 22nd:
tuesday 1 mg of klonopin
wednesday 1 mg of klonopin
thursday none
friday 1mg of klonopin
saturday none
sunday 2mg of klonopin
monday 1mg of klonopin.

If I were to stop cold turkey today would I experience any withdrawal symptoms? And if I didn't stop today how much longer could I go with a schedule like this before reaching that "stop now and go through withdrawal" zone?

 

[buriedlies]

Hey,

I used to have EXTREMELY bad anxiety, so of course I was also put on benzos (Klonopin, Xanax, you name it.. I've been on them all). It helps a lot, but like you I worried about withdrawal and other factors.. I am here to help you! I definitely don't recommend using benzos to cure your anxiety.. I actually don't recommend ANY type of man-made drug to cure your anxiety, for the matter.

Anxiety is all in the head, thus only you can cure it. Least, that's how I see it. It might take lots and lots of therapy, coping skills, and possibly even hypnosis to help alleviate or cure your anxiety disorder. Don't fret though, after years of therapy I have overcome my anxiety, so keep faith.

As for your original question:
You should be fine, I've done longer and worse on klonopin and experienced no withdrawal at all. Definitely limit your use to ONLY when you really need it though, like maybe during situations that trigger your anxiety. That everyday bullshit will get you dependent on it and cause nasty withdrawal (as you know), and in the long run will make everything worse.

My philosophy on the stuff.. I basically don't go any longer than 2 weeks of every day 1mg use. So.. No more than 14mg total in 2 weeks, I guess. I think Im being over-cautious, but hey.. Better safe than sorry. I've been fine doing it that way.


I am not a medical doctor nor do I claim to be, so don't take my advice as such. This is purely from my own experience with both anxiety and benzos over time.

I wish you the best on your anxiety journey.. I suggest EMDR, btw.. Shit's magical! Ask your therapist or look it up, it's rather cool and works on a good amount of people (including me). It's usually used for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but I've found it amazingly useful in helping my anxiety and my fear of having a panic attack.

Much love xx

 

[olab7]

Thanks for the answer buriedlies it sounds like I should be fine then. But yeah I agree I'd rather find another alternative to my anxiety problem instead of taking drugs for it. I'll look into some other options

 

[Oxide]

Benzos really aren't a long term choice for anxiety treatment. The physical dependence takes longer than a week to set in though, so you're going to be fine.

It's a slippery slope. Especially when you have anxiety and benzos 'remove' it. Self-medication is an easy habit to start, and a nearly impossible one to break.

 

[Alex000]

6 days on 1 - 2 mg Klonipin a day with 2 days off will not result in dependence, no withdrawal symptoms. Klonipin is a good benzo for anxiety, but it isn't best to be used as needed, because of its long half-life. Say you go 2 days without it in a row, it will still linger in your system, so when you want to stop for longer w/d's might ensue, this is of course if you keep taking it for a long enough time to develop dependence (I'd guess as short as 2 weeks in some individuals, but of course it would be more mild). If you want to manage anxiety with a benzo round-the-clock Klonipin is really good as far as they go, I'd recommend 0.5 mg 3 x daily for moderate anxiety if you feel round-the-clock would be better. If you want something to knock the anxiety every now and then, or even more often, but not daily, I'd go for Xanax, which has a very short half-life and won't really linger in your system. You can take Xanax a few days of the week, and the others not so much without much wd symptomology, but with Klonipin it will kinda of always be in your system. You can develop a nasty addiction to either, though, fairly easily, which is why I'd kind of recommend Klonipin if you need relief more days than not. Klonipin dependence isn't really more forgiving than Xanax dependence, but it is easier to manage.