Im pretty sure this has been brought up a billion times but has anyone ever actually beat these damn things.

I actually gave in and did it in an inpatient detox and by day 10 I was getting DT's to the extremities and I gave in and checked out. It cost me 10grand for nothing. They had me on almost 3,000mg of neurontin, 180mg of phenabarb and they used catapress AND oral clonidine to keep my BP down to 130. 150 Trazodone at night, it was a real nightmare. Right now Im stable back on Klonopin and that took weeks. Looks like ill be on that for the rest of my life.

CADE

WOW that sounds really major! How much kolonpin were you taking and how long were you taking it? Was it for anxiety and were you taking anything else? I tried to stop it and take xanax instead and could not do it. It will be on it forever also I imagine.I finally gave in by day 9 and took a Klonopin and felt better in 1/2 hour. Scarey how this is so adictive.

Went from 8:30 A.M. yesterday to 9:00 A.M. today without taking any xanax. Really rough time. Used to taking 2 mgs a day. Pulse rate was elevated, sleep was terrible+++. Hate to feel addicted to anything!!! I'm starting to feel it kick in. It's a shame that I have rely on this.

Detox is the worst thing for benzos. They are not the same thing as heroin or the like; cold turkey or quick withdrawal is dangerous in a physical sense, that's why in detox they give all those other meds to prevent such things as seizures and psychosis, which rapid detox of benzos can cause. Benzos technically cause a "dependancy" vs. "addiction", especially at prescribed doses. This is more physical in nature.

They must be withdrawn very slowly. The Ashton Manual is free online, it has some tapering schedules and information. Also, type in benzo withdrawal for more info and sites.

Below I have an article from an addiction expert who explains the differences in prescription benzo users vs. real addiction:

It is important not to confuse physical dependence as evidenced by benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromes with addiction or drug dependence (DSM-IV). The majority of people suffering with prolonged withdrawal syndromes from benzodiazepines do not meet sufficient criteria to make the diagnosis of addiction. They are NOT addicts.

Addiction is a biopsychosocial syndrome. Less than ten percent of the population is at risk. Although there are eight diagnostic criteria, three of which must be present for a year; the syndrome can best be described by "the 3 Cs".

Control: when the addicted person starts using their drug they episodically lose control over their ingestion.

Compulsion: getting and using the drug takes on more and more importance or salience in the person's life, crowding out relationships and activities that were once important to them.

Consequences: they continue using the drug despite the drug causing problems at home, problems in relationships, medical problems, legal problems, emotional and psychiatric problems and finally vocational problems.

Physical dependence is simply a neurobiological phenomenon due to continued exposure to a drug. It happens to all human brains exposed to drugs such as benzodiazepines and opioids. It is not addiction.

what does DT mean? Thanks! Cassie

Soar,
Thought I would answer this since it is also my inits. It actually refers to alcohol, but is applicable to drugs as well. It is commonly used to describe the withdrawal shakes, which I think Red was referring to but the actual meaning is as follows. this is from the dictionary...

delirium tremens (dî-lîr´ê-em trê´menz) noun
An acute, sometimes fatal episode of delirium usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual, excessive drinking. It also may occur during an episode of heavy alcohol consumption.

[New Latin dêlìrium tremêns : Latin dêlìrium, delirium + Latin tremêns, trembling.]

DT


[This message has been edited by Doug_T (edited 09-15-2003).]

Hi,
I just wanted to ask how long does it take to get addicted to benzos?
I take it when I feel struck by anxiety (which is almost every day) or before bed time, but sometimes I don't take them at all.
I'm worried about it because I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety, but I think it's anxiety that is the worst problem. Depression (although I don't see much of a difference in my case) followed.
Good luck,
N.

Dependency happens for some people and doesn't happen for others.
I've taken a very low dose of Xanax twice in my life.
First time I took it everyday for 7 years, never took more than I was supposed to and never felt like I needed to.
Then one day the attacks went away, with my Doctor's help I got off of them with no problem at all.
Then 7 years later the attacks came back.
I went back on the Xanax and have been on it now for 6 years.
It's just like before, I never take more than I'm supposed to, and never feel like I need too.
Some people say they get shaky when it wears off, I don't.

But everyone is different, some people take them for a short time and become dependent on them.
Then when they try to get off they have a very hard time.

I don't think there's any certain time frame with this.
Like I said, everyone is different.

My best advice to you is, if you're taking them and feel the need to take them more often than you're supposed to, or take more MG's than you're supposed to, you should talk to your Doctor.

I just started taking Klonopin .25 every other day for the past 2 weeks. I stopped taking anymore on Monday. I feel worse than I did before. Should I taper or just stop? Don't think I have been on them long enough to have a huge problem. What do you guys think?

It's not a good idea to just stop this kind of medication cold turkey.
It's always best to taper off.
Everyone is different, some people become dependent quickly, for some it takes a long time and then others never become dependent at all.