Question about Xanax? - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

Twilight · 08-19-2002, 08:36 PM

My daughter (age 33) started taking Xanax many , many, years ago. I'm not sure how long it's been. She started it for sleep, but now she knows she is addicted. She won't tell me how much she takes every day, but I know it's a lot.
About a year ago she started doing methamphetamine at parties, and then it progressed to doing it during the day at work. Now she is hooked on both crystal meth and Xanax.
She finally told her doctor, and the doc said she would need to go into rehab for the Xanax. That it is hard to detox from it, unless you are under medical supervision.
She can't afford to tell her boss and risk losing her job. She wants to do it herself - slowly, etc. Is this possible? Would this be dangerous? What could happen?

canyonspirit72 · 08-20-2002, 04:16 PM

it is very dangerous for her to do it alone and she will relapse or get or possibly suicidal...please have her admitted and talk a leave of abscence from work...her psychiatrist can send in the forms without telling the company why she needs it......she will be safe and monitored because they are professionals and unfortunatley she got herself into it she may have a hard time going off alone......good luck

labpw · 09-07-2002, 12:12 PM

I'm a nurse, I worked in a treatment and detox center for 2.5 years, not to mention that I'm a recovering addict.

It's time for your daugher to put her pride aside and get help. Benzodiazapine withdrawl(drugs like xanax) is a very dangerous and hard detox. If she tries to do it on her own the chances are that she with either not stop or die. Thisis nothing to play with and it is just as deadly as trying to come off alcohol alone especially since the class of drugs that include xanax are just like alcohol, except in a pill form.Unlike alcohol, who's withdrawl period typically last from 3-5 days....Xanax typically last from 2-3 weeks. This is a very intense detox and a lot of patients go AMA before completion as the withdrawl is so bad. With her history of use, at best, if she tries to do it at home, she probably won't suceed....at worse..she could have a seizure and die. People in this kind of withdrawl have trouble sleeping, are very irritable and anxious, and have difficulty concentrating...not to mention the body aches, sweats, and shakes. I don't see how anyone can go to work in benzo. withdrawl and NOT be noticed. She needs help and she can get it with out her boss knowing. She's intitled to use her sick leave for this and would be eligeble for any benefits under a short term disability insurance policy, if her company has that insurance. Please encourage your daughter to go get help, and remember...if she calls you to come pick her up from the rehab against medical advice....say NO. Encourage her to see this thru.

letony · 10-23-2002, 07:20 PM

After reading some of these responses to Xanax addiction it only reinforces my total disgust with doctors in general.Dont get me wrong,there are just as many positive expieriences as negative I guess.But after being on xanax for 7 years 8mg's a day I decided that I wanted to stop taking it.I dont know why.During these 7 years I regularly asked the Psych.about taking this med long term,as I had read that it wasnt the best "drug of choice" for a long duration.He insisted that I wouldnt have a problem and not to worry.So I kept taking it cuz "doctor knows best" RIGHT?....... BULL****! This stuff nearly killed me.As I was weaning down he decided that he did not want to treat me anymore and referred me to my General Practitioner,who even suggested that I take some legal action against the shrink.Can you believe that?Well I didnt pursue his suggestion although looking back on it I probably should have.I better stop rambling here as I am actually starting to sweat just thinking of this ordeal.O.K. You probably should get some professional assistance with this,although You didn say how much she is taking.In microcosym it took me a whole year to begin to feel "normal " again and during that year I was in and out of emergency rooms,seldom slept,bad head aches every single day etc. etc. If I could be of any help in the future please feel free to ask.Good luck and God Bless.Tony.