Has anyone had an addiction to benzodiazepenes?

[retroaddict]

I think I'm heading into dangerous territory there.

I take a med for bipolar, but have always had available on the side things like clonazapan and alzprozolam for panicky situations like flying and public performances.

Anyway have been feeling shite past weeks over mega f*cked up relationship, and have just been taking benzos for the hell of it really, because they keep me sedated.. . and I even swallow them down with wine, vodka, whatever. I'm being SO pathetically 1960s/70's! (No need to point this out!)

I'm going to run out of the tablets soon, so have obsessively been thinking of ways to replenish the RX, and I I think I've been successful, but they won't last for more than a moth.

I'd prefer NOT to see GP about this prob, if it is a prob, in case he bars me from sedatives full stop (and I do legitimately need them sometimes) but is this a habit that I can kick in one day, or do I have to taper off. . ..Anyone been in this situation?

[notnowbernard]

How much a day are you taking, what exactly are you taking and how frequently?

[retroaddict]

Today I've been taking 1-1.5mg xanax (alzprozolam) about every 4 hrs or so since this a.m.

So maybe just on my 4th dose of that.

Also some alchohol (tho usually I'm a moderate drinker only). Tongiht I drank vodka with my last dose.

To give a context: last night, when I performed, I had 1mg with beer, and antoher 1 mg earlier in the day. That kind of twice-daily dosage was consistent for about a week. (Before then, i almost never used benzos except in emergencies.)

So today is the first day I'm beginning to feel I'm maybe on a slippery slope, but maybe I'm just being melodramatic!

[notnowbernard]

I think the max. dose is 4mg per day, taken in divided doses.

Is not intended for long-term use (which you know anyway). No benzo is.

Definitely need to avoid taking them with booze (risk of accidental od, respiratory probs)

VERY addictive. Nightmare to get off of.

I can understand you not wanting to talk with your GP, they aren't the best when it comes to addictions. You say you are on meds for bi-polar, are you under the care of a psychiatrist?

[retroaddict]

thanks notnowbernard. so kind to respond. x

[notnowbernard]

Retroaddict - don't stop them suddenly, you can get nasty withdrawals. Taper off.

[blanki]

I was prescribed benzo's and took them for a few years. (I was really unwell) I felt like I really needed them just to get through the day. After some hassle with xp I decided that they actually had stopped doing their job. I saw my GP and we reduced the dose over a week or so. Actually I came off them with no problems and the need was more psychological. That was about three years ago and I haven't needed them since. Good luck!

[retroaddict]

that's encouring, blanki.

I've woke up, no shaking today or anthing, so will start reducing my dosage starting today.

This littls "addiction" thing has only been going on a week, so I think can easily stop it now.

It's just it seemed a way to dull all of life's experiences, and I've an addictive type pesonality, so it was tempting to turn it into something bigger than it has to be. i mean, i could very easily SEE i turning into an addiction more than believing it was already one.

Advice much appreciated from you both

[notnowbernard]

All the best, Retro