Back to benzos?

[BarryAllen1]

Years ago I stopped taking benzodiazepines because of the irritability it caused when it was time for my next dose, years later after anxiety getting in the way of life and work I'm asking myself Is it worth being addicted to benzodiazepines if it makes me feel like myself? I've tried a bunch of SSRIs and anti anxyalitics but nothing works.

[Mia51]

This might seem awful to most people.Ive spent years trying to get my son off drugs etc. Last year he got clean and really tried to do things right.Anyway,he was miserable and ended it all.Just through this experience My daughter and I wish we had left him to do what he wanted as now it’s too late,hes gone.Never thought I would think this way.Hope I’m not giving you wrong advice.xx

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to Mia51]

I'm so sorry for your loss. But I needed to hear that meds are often necessary. Thank you for your sharing of your pain to help others.

[Hidden in reply to Mia51]

What drugs was he taking?

[Mia51 in reply to Hidden]

Probably anything he could get his hands on.Drs put him on pregablin for anxiety.That was the worst move ever....they are lethal as far as withdrawals.

[Believeinyourself123]

I'm sorry sometimes medicine is not the answer. Are you on anything like an antidepressant to help you? I wish you well.

[Believeinyourself123 in reply to Believeinyourself123]

Maybe try taking with your Dr I've been on almost everything and im still depressed and anxious. Maybe its not medicine but other things we need to get better. With me not on antidepressants Im crying all day uncontrollably over the simple things. So it does help me but it does not take it all away.

[MaskedNinja]

Speaking only for myself, I have no problem taking clonazepam every single day for the last 16 years. It has enabled me to live a life I couldn't have managed with otherwise.

Do you 'feel' addicted? Do you find them 'morish'? Do you feel the need to keep escalating the dose and take more than is prescribed?

You have to weigh up the pros and the cons. What would life be like without them, right now? Personally, I know I would slip deep into a hole. In fact, I have no intention of ever stopping them, not at this moment in time.

Maybe someday I will find a good reason to stop but I can't currently think of one.

I have never felt that I need more. In fact I never even think about increasing the dosage, neither do I require more. I've been on the same dose for years and my current dosage has suited me down to the ground for a long time. I have no intention of stopping. Neither do I consider myself an addict because of this.

Be careful of how you perceive yourself.

True addiction is always a downhill struggle without exceptions. Things always get worse and you will become progressively unwell and usually go right off the tracks. A real mess! (trust me, I know!)

But just because you take something which you can't just stop without getting withdrawals, even life-threatening ones, does not necessarily mean you are a drug addict!

Most antidepressants aren't even a good idea to just stop taking.

You need to weigh up the pros and cons.

You may be worrying over nothing or it may indeed be time to stop.

I think if you really are a drug addict you already know that in your heart.

If that IS the case then of course get some help, don't wait around.

But if you are only worried that you may be an addict simply because you cannot simply come off the medication overnight, whether you want to or not, then maybe you need to view your situation from a different angle.

M.N.

[Momwithaplan]

Hi. You must not allow the shaming culture we are now in to stop you from taking necessary meds. There is a big difference between being dependant and being addicted. Benzos are not a problem as long as your doc works with you and you do not find yourself taking more than prescribed

[Hidden]

I'm sorry you're in this pickle...benzos saved my life for 4 years, I took 4 a day for 5 years, then one day I went down to 2, no problem for me...now I may go 2 months without taking one....or depending on my dear friend anxiety shows his head I may take when when feeling out of control..

I truly wish for you peace of mind...

Sparkles and dump trucks of groovy love, peace, light, joy & hugs BarryAllen1!

[Spooky99]

Yes! In my opinion. I’m 52, I became a big drinker to get out the door and function before clonopin. I’m in AA sober 26 years. I take one a day without abusing. I can live my life better!! I worry about the long term effects but without meds I’d drink or kill myself. I use to feel guilty and I get nervous thinking what if I had to stop? At this age in my life , I don’t see why it matters. If I was young and there was a better way for my nerves, sure! But in the 80’s they handed these out like candy. I never knew what a benzo was until last year lol. (As I’ve been on them for decades) ugh. Well don’t judge yourself and best of luck!!!!

[Michalbaner]

Perhaps your problem is not a neurotransmitter imbalance. I would look up a naturopath in your area and try to reach out to them. There are many non-pharmacological therapies that can be very effective for depression. None of the natural remedies are addictive unlike benzies and other drugs.

The undeluying issue could be completely elswehere. Do you have a purpose in life? Are you happy where you are? Do you have a kind and loving partner? How about your other relationships? Do you get outside during the day? Do you exercise? What is your diet like? What is your sleep like? Are you allergic to anything that you keep ingesting? Do you feel trapped in any area of your life? Has you had a recent bereavement?

All these questions may help uncover the underlying root.

You may have impaired liver detoxification, you may have heavy metal toxicity (dental amalgams?), your digestion could be impaired causing you to recycle your liver metabolites, you may suffer from nutrient deficiencies etc.

[BarryAllen1]

Thank you all for your responses, I had a hard time remembering the website to log back in lol. So I found that most of my anxiety was coming from my medication and constant drinking. I quit my buspar and cut back my drinking and it seems to have helped greatly. When I was on diazepam I often did want more to be high so I really just dont want to be like that again. Today was my first day back to work after a horrible two week withdrawal and I had very minimal anxiety with some cannabis so i think I'll stick to that. Things are looking better