Help For An 'accidental Addict' | Want To Get Off Benzos Soon -- Xanax In Particular.

Help!!! I am an elderly lady who has been taking Xanax in what I thought were the smallest doses for insomnia and addiction. Now, I am aware that my habituation/addiction seems to have taken over my life. I have read a lot about titrating but hopefully need a buddy to help me through this. I don't know where to turn. My doctor said she would help me, but I don't know if she had any experience. I thought I might shift from Xanax to Valium but I have no idea how to do that!

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If you google benzos or such there is a doctor who recommended switching to valium and then tapering off that. However, most people today more currently would recommend just tapering off. theroadback.org offers a free online book also if you email them they will help you (very brief help but the book is great). It shows you their method of tapering. They recommend certain supplements. If you don't want to take the supplements or cant for medical reasons, email them and ask for help, they will tell you what percent of the drug (xanax) to remove and how long before cutting you dose again. Tapering is usually a slow process. Most doctors and other health professionals will recommend a taper that is way too fast. If you taper too fast you will trigger withdrawal symptoms. It is an individual thing but I suggest you start by reading this book online. You can email and ask for a free book (they will send a link) or just read it free onlline at the site. I printed mine out even though it was huge and I think it is solid. There isn't just one way to taper off but most people are going to be telling you way too fast, it's better to be too slow than too fast. You taper slowly a certain percent for so many days and if you are not getting withdrawal symptoms you then cut a bit more. If you start to get withdrawal symptoms, you stop tapering and go back to your last level for awhile. Research online there is sure to be more there.

Everyone is different. I heard of one person who was given a bottle of ativan (a benzo) and she only took it occasionally as needed. When she had finished that one bottle she decided she didn't want to take it any more. What she didn't know was that she had already gone into withdrawal and was in withdrawal symptoms for several years before she realized what was happening.

Tapering off a medicine too quickly for that individual's body and mind can cause horrible withdrawal symptoms. It is better to taper very very slowly and be cautious.

I will pray for you.

The free book online isn't the only program out there, I've seen others online and you would have to check them out carefully ...some cost money. This program is free and they give the book and help out free but they do advise you to purchase a few supplements, but that is up to you.

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Many people consider an In Patient substance withdrawal program?

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" I heard of one person who was given a bottle of ativan (a benzo) and she only took it occasionally as needed. When she had finished that one bottle she decided she didn't want to take it any more. What she didn't know was that she had already gone into withdrawal and was in withdrawal symptoms for several years before she realized what was happening."


That is what happened to me. I had 12 full months worth, had only tried a few, and decided I hated them and wasn't going to use Ativan. I got real sick and had to be hospitalized within days.

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I am also an elderly lady accidentally addicted to benzos. I have taken .50mg alprazolam as a sleep aid for five years with no problems until a few months ago. I then started to have weird symptoms and after doing a lot of online research found that I was having tolerance withdrawal symptoms. Why it took so long to reach tolerance I do not know! I talked to a psychologist who gave me a taper schedule but from all I have read it was far to fast for a long time user. He wanted to do a cross over to Lexapro before starting the taper. I have been taking the Lexapro two weeks while all the time still suffering from withdrawals and I don't even start the taper for another two weeks. I badly want to up the alprazolam dose so I feel comfortable and then start the taper. At a loss what to do for the best.

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I can help you though this. please tell me how much daily you were taking. I have completed my step down from xanax and very happy it did not kill me. Please be very careful in how you step down on this med. Doctors have no idea what so ever they just refer you to a drug addict clinic. There you will meet the illegal drug trade, people who will get your address and rob you, etc. You may ask me anything you want about xanax It will take you and this depends if you have any other underlining conditions about a month for each mg. Take it slow. Stop dropping if it is causing a problem, wait a month then step down 1mg the next month. There is no rush in dropping down your dosage.

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If you start taking something else like valium, it is also in the benzo meds. You can start by taking half of what you take for approx. 3 days & then half that amount, slowly ween yourself off,NOT all at once. If you take another drug,you will just get addicted to that one as well,if you have an addictive personality, you can get addited to lip balm,yes,I KNOW! GOOD LUCK, PRAY & PRAY & ask GOD TO HELP deliver you from them ,ALSO! GOD BLESS

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Help! I've been on xanax for 5 years and they are the. 2mg bars. My tolerance is very high, so much that I can take my scheduled dose and feel nothing! I have PTSD but I want to taper down and eventually get off this toxic med. Should I call my dr and tell them what's going on? Or should i ask for something milder to taper of?? I would definitely appreciate any response as I am running out of meds and the w/drawls are very bad. Thanks Jeanette

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You don't want to run out, or spook your Doctor or withdraw without the proper help. Have you thought of entering a withdrawal program?

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Re: Unhappy Granny (# 4)

Visit an Addiction physician in a medical hospital with a psych unit. It us a tough detox and may exacerbate any medical problems you may have why I'm suggesting a hospital based treatment modality.

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I'm in the Olympia area are you close to that area

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