I'm detoxing off of benzos. I used them for years, off and on. I have been on them steady for about 3-4 months and it got way out of control. I was taking between 10-12mg of xanax/day, 1400mg/day of soma, and am on subutex maintenance at 16mg/day. That was 2 weeks ago. Now I have dropped to 4mg of klonopin/day, no soma, and still 16mg of subutex. My psychiatrist also put me on Depakote ER 1000mg/day.

I feel like I have turned the corner out of acute withdrawals from the cold turkey of soma and drastic benzo reduction. I am worried about the Depakote though. I feel like my psych is just giving me another med that I'm gonna have to struggle to get off of. MY GOAL IS TO BE COMPLETELY DRUG FREE. I had a grand mal seizure a couple of years ago from going c/t with the xanax. I am 2 weeks into this and not fearing a seizure anymore though. Should I taper off the Depakote(I was on Dilantin for a week, then switched to Depakote for the past week....2 weeks total on the anti seizure meds)? I feel like the klonopin will help me enough with "would be seizures" but I need some advice from you guys. Thanks.

Sounds like you doctors doing a good job, stick with him. All that I could add is that you really need some sort of 12 step program or support group beyond these pills; otherwise you will be left with the same problems you had before you started taking them, but without the medications to block the issues. I hope that makes some sort of sense, it's an importance issue, that goes way over too many peoples head. All they see is "getting clean, getting clean." They don't understand the utter importance of the WEB OF SUPPORT!

Try NA, it's worth a crack and as you've got a desire to be clean, you have a valid right to go to meeting right now, today, even before you're actually clean. The desire is all that's needed. And you don't have to say a word at meetings, just sit at the back of rooms and be quiet, that's often the best in your position, listen and let recovery soak in, whilst you dry out :-) Pick up the phone book and call them, it's that easy if you want it to be.

your Doctor is doing the right thing.........................My Doctor also put me on Depakote for my addiction of vicodin and xanax..........it helped
when my Doctor took me off of it I hade no problams at all..........she told me to stop taking it and I did..................so do what your Doctor says......sometimes they know what they are doing
GOOD LUCK
JCS

Thanks for the advice guys.
Blasterboy, I know I need to get into the AA or NA meetings. I've been to them on and off for 13 years and I know they can help. Its just that I'm just now getting to the point that I can get off the couch and walk outside without having severe anxiety/panic attacks. And the Depakote gave me the absolute most horrible side effects I've ever experienced from a drug before. I'm just now starting to adjust to that. Trust me, I will get to the meetings.

JCS...your story sounds a lot like mine. Let me ask you this....how long were you on Depakote for and how much were you taking? Did you have to see a neurologist when you were ready to get off?

Justine...................I was on 1000mg for 6 month, and then 500mg for another 6 month...then she said I can stop...............No neurologist.....and I had no withdrawls at all.........and feel pretty good right now..........so stick with it
I am clean now 15 months...........so it can be done
GOOD LUCK
JCS

Thanks a lot JCS, that makes me feel a lot better about it. Good luck to you too.

Justine, anytime I can help let me know