I have a question for long time Benzo users. I've been on Benzo's for about a year. Started with Ativan, and then ended up on Xanax back in Feburary. It got to a point I was abusing it and was taking up to 10mg a day and running just 4 miles across the border to mexico to get more. I've stopped C/T two or three times and it was pure HELL, that after one time being off of it for 3 weeks, I just had to go and get more.

Now...here comes the situation. I am using about 2-3 mg a day now for the past month. For the last two days, because of low supply, I've been on 2.0 milligrams, .50 4xdaily. When I recieve my order, I'm going to start everry 7-10 days lowering it by .25, until I can reach zero.

I am also on Lexapro 20 mg. Will the withdrawals be as bad as they were CT? Will being onthe Lexapro help me any with the symptoms? Or will I just turn back to being hooked onthe Xanax for the rest of my life? I do have GAD, but it hasn't been so bad (assuming it's because the xanax).

Any help with this one? What's ironic, is that 17 years ago,I was hooked on crank for 2 years. I quite CT. Yet..this seems to be the hardest? Crazy isn't it?

Thanks for the help in advance!

Hi NW,
Wow, your plate is full right now with your accident etc. Speaking from my own experience, I was taking .5mg 3x/day (Xanax) and went CT because I was out of town longer than expected and ran out. I experienced no withdrawal at all except for 1 sleepless night and one day of just feeling kinda lousy. So I think your tapering plan sounds more than adequate. Also, I don't think Lexapro will have any effect on your withdrawal whatsoever. Remember, this is my own experience, everyone reacts differently. Take care.

Thanks Janie.

Anyone else? ANy succeess stories with getting off and not experiencing any withdrawals or return of anxiety? Will I forever be like this?

Can anyone tell me how little you can take of a benzo and wind up addicted?

I take 1mg Ativan about 5 days a week. Been careful not to escalate. Could you stop CT from that with no side effects?

quote:

Originally posted by Flaminblonde:
I've stopped C/T two or three times and it was pure HELL, that after one time being off of it for 3 weeks, I just had to go and get more.

Any help with this one? What's ironic, is that 17 years ago,I was hooked on crank for 2 years. I quite CT. Yet..this seems to be the hardest? Crazy isn't it?

First off, don't ever quit benzos CT. It can kill you. You must taper.

Regarding the crank. Remember that crank is not very physically addictive. You quit crank, you sleep for three days, wish you had some more, feel depressed, but that's about it.

Benzos can really get their hooks into you. You can suffer seizures or worse if you don't taper.

Also, be careful in Mexico. Although, it can be a haven for acquiring meds it can also land you in a El Pueblito (Tijuana's prison).

There's a lot of unscrupulous cops there. So make sure you bring enough money for your meds plus a healthy payoff in case you get stopped.

I was stopped an searched once by the cops in TJ. If it wasn't for me hiding the meds in a very clever way I probably wouldn't be writing to you right now.

Also, don't do anything to p!ss off the locals when you are in Mexico. Be exceedingly polite and gracious to everyone. Even if someone is obviously trying to scam you.

Yes, I live onthe border with Acuna in Texas. It's not so bad as TJ, thank goodness. You're in and out in 5. Most of the time without a prescript.

I've been lowering my dosage and hope that by the time I get to zero, about 3 months, I'll be ok without it. But I'm afraid of the anxiety returning after I quit using it. I'm seeing a psychologist who tells me that I don't need to be on it and that CBT will help me if I learn it. He understands how hard it is for me and agrees not to just stop, but to taper off.

WIll I have anxiety all my life. This 27 AUg is my sons birthday. To the day, one year, that I had my first panic attack and ambulance ride. What a birthday he had.

Re: Xanax withdrawel
I am getting up there age-wise, (late fifties) I have taken Xanax intermittantly all of my adult life for recurrinf, (cyclic) episodes of panic/anxiety, because I do not particularly enjoy a sedated feeling, abuse, (taking too many at one time) has never been problematic, when I feel like I have passed an episode, I cut back, then eventually stop. At times, I have switched over to Valium for awhile. I would be remiss not to mention that I have known folks who LOVE the sedative effect of Xanax, and recently had a friend total her car, like the sleep preparation, (Ambien) she has no recollection of getting in her car and driving, most of her clothes have burn holes, she is on a road to self-destruction. My point?...Diabetics often are looking for a lifetime of insulin injections, they do not exceed in insulin doses. I think each individual knows full well when they are abusing a med. There is absolutely nothing wrong with including a regimen of anti-anxiety meds. for the rest of your life if you are unable to put a "lid" on such attacks. Common sense dictates in all cases of med. use. At present, I am on Methadone for my various back problems, I am probably looking at a lifetime of Methadone use. Use your head, listen to your Doc, or get a second opinion. Do not rely on the opinions of laymen who do not understand the dynamics of your medication routine.
My best,
dave

I guess I've been on xanax so long, it doesn't sedate me thank goodness. I actually have more energy. I find myself yawning for a little bit after it kicks in, but then I'm just fine.
Ambien on the other hand that'll knock you on your butt. Unless you buy the crud that I got from Seypharma. It does nothing. That was a waste of 50 US. I'm just hoping being on an anti-depressent that the side effects and withdrawal will be lessened. I found I was getting to a point of popping them all the time to prevent an attack, now..I use them when I feel uncomfortable. That's about 2 or 3 times a day. Just want that to go away too.

Hugs!