Questions about Benzo's: HELP PLEASE

[ms.christy]

HISTORY - Recovering opiate addict - 22 Days clean.
I have been on xanax 1mg 4x's a day, it helped with my anxiety, but caused serious headaches. I was then switched to 15mg of librium 4x's a day, that didn't seem to work all that well. As of yesterday I was put on valium 10mg 4x's a day (not as needed, but EVERYDAY). I have GAD, Bi POlar Disorder, and Borederline Personality Disorder
I've never been addicted to benzo's, never gotten high from them, I'm ashamed to say I've actually tried to in the past...just didn't work. However, when taken in the right amounts, it actually works for me, by controlling the mania part of my Bi Polar.
QUESTION?
Lately I've read that benzo's are highly addictive. This scares me (even though they don't get me high). I was wondering if an addiction is possible even if you don't get high from the meds.

Any help would REALLY HELP ME...my meds are making me nervous to take them b/c of their addictive qualities in other people.

HELP!!!
Christy

[jam338]

Christy,

To answer your question first, yes addiction/dependency is possible even if you don't get a high. The feeling of euphoria typically only happens during the early window of taking medications that produce the euphoria; then tolerance builds; then dependency. When dependency is not carefully managed it evolves into addiction usually associated with the chase for the euphoria that occurred during the early window period. It can evolve into a maddening cycle if not held in check at the tolerance dependency level. It is quite likely that you don't get the euphoria because you have passed the tolerance level. Only you know if you passed tolerance dependency into addiction.

If you are not taking the drugs outside the scope of the directions of the doctor who is administering the medication then by the medical standards of addiction specialists you may have a tolerance dependency but not an addiction. Unfortunately the terminology is used interchangeably without a real understanding of the difference of the two.

I can definitely understand after reading information on benzodiazepines why you are alarmed---very scarey stuff. However, please understand that because of your medical condition you just may be one of the category of folks who must be on the RX meds despite the risks of dependency. Given your medical history, as you have outlined it in your post, you really should discuss your medication concerns with your doctor and not independently decide to stop taking the medication on your own. . It would just be awful if you take independent action with the best of intentions but inadvertently make your overall situation worse by triggering the other medical problems, especially when you said the medication is successfully managing those symptoms for you. The real key risk with Benzo detox is risk of seizure/death; rare, but very real. With your underlying multiple diagnosis you could very well be at higher risk; only your doctor would know your risks. SO, PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

While addiction/dependency issues are a critical concern regarding benzos, your underlying medical problems may very well require that you remain on the medication. Your doctor may be able to do a rotation of medications to help lessen dependency risks. If I were in your situation I would discuss your concerns regarding benzodiazepine dependency and ask if there is any other medication he can switch to you that has less risks, but would still meet your medical needs. Prior to your discussion with your doctor it will help if you educate yourself thoroughly about benzodiazepine risks. When I was researching online to help with my benzo home detox I discovered a wealth of information online and free by Professor Heather Ashton, School of Neurosciences, Division of Psychiatry, The Royal Victoria Infirmary in England. If you type her name or benzodiazepine withdrawals into Google or any webbrowser search engine it will provide you with information options. You may want to print out material and take it to your doctor with the specific website address so he/she can further study it and address your concerns.

Prayers are with you as you evaluate what you feel is best for your needs.

[chefob1]

i tried usin benzos as a substitute for the opiate w/d's and as an enhancer to my opiate use....ill tell ya this...if you think/thought opiate w/d was bad....try the benzo w/d...its worse.....my thoughts...i wouldnt go back to the benzos again...sleep pattern was worse....your head gets so much clearer when you are sober from mind altering substance..........a 32 year substance abuser/addict who finally got his crap together...chef

[ms.christy]

Let me clarify:

I was using Benzo's, (in addition to other antipsychotics) to treat GAD, Bi Polar, and Borederline Personality Disorder long before I had ever tried my first "pain pill". I have NEVER, EVER gotten high from them. My DOC is only Opiate Narcotics. However, I am concerned with the difference b/tween dependency and addiction.
Both opiates and Benzo's are addictive, but is it possible that I may need Benzo's and should not feel guilty about taking them b/c I'm not getting high (and I never have on Benzo's)? Opiates I took to GET HIGH. Benzo's I take to function somewhat normally. Just a note : When I was abusing opiates I refused to medicate my disorders, b/c the medicine (Benzo's, antipsychotics) DID NOT get me high. Now, I'm 22 DAYS CLEAN and am trying to put my life back together.
Taking any kind of medication terrifies me now, especially the ones that are so easily addictive for others.
Is it okay to be dependant on an otherwise addictive drug? My Doctor says I need them to function more normally and that I should not be afraid. He says that the anxiety that I'm experiencing over this is a part of "Paranoia"
that comes with the disorders I have.
I have never in the past been afraid to take these medications until after my fight with the devil reincarnate (Pain pills).

So, what's your thoughts, Guy's?

Christy

[mjewell]

Christy - I have been on Xanax as needed for about 3 years, so I am taking a much lower dose than you - only .5 mg when I really need it. I am not physically addicted (ie I don't crave it or have withdrawals if I don't take them for a while), but I guess you could say I am mentally addicted. I go into an absolute panic attack if I do not have my bottle of pills with me at all times.

It is important to remember that being addicted does not necessarily mean you are getting a "high" from it. It just means your body has gotten used to having the drug and it will be very angry when you stop taking the drug.

Even though benzos are addictive, I really don't think it is the same thing as being addicted to heroine or opiates. Benzos really aren't all that harmful, unless you totally overdose, which would be difficult to do, OR you just stop taking them suddenly without tapering. My only concern with getting addicted to them is that over time, they will not work as well for me, and I never want that day to come. Without them my anxiety and phobias are so bad I cannot leave thehouse.

Also, if and when your doctor decides to taper you off the valium, the only kind of "addiction" withdrawals you might have is physical discomfort, but if you follow a very slow and gradual tapering schedule, that should not be an issue.

Just remember you are not taking benzos to get a high, like you said - you are taking them to treat a mental disorder. There is quite a difference, and no need to feel guilty.