Re: Xanax and Klonopin
I was only on 3 mg a day for 6 months, but knew that I was hooked on Xanax and was physically addicted. I kept trying to taper, but I couldn't get below .75 mg 3 x per day. I also knew that I didn't have the psychological addiction where I would seek it in the future. I knew if God could let me get off the Xanax, I would never reach for it again. (The reason I was put on it was by a shrink who was trying to help me through a different, physical illness - he thought it would help my GERD).
So I finally checked myself into a detox program (against the shrink's wishes - I suppose he had relationships with other doctors at this program and didn't want to be known as someone who got his patient hooked). The hospital was called "Silver Hill Hospital" in New Canaan, Ct.
Having tried to taper and wean myself off in the past, I know exactly what that "heart attack" feeling is that you went to the ER for. I was very nervous about being pulled off the Xanax, but they took me off it completely the moment I checked in. Interestingly, they gave me a drug called Depakote, which is an anti-seizure med used in epileptics, some schitzos, and in alcohol withdrawl. God bless them, I didn't experience ANY of that "heart attack" like feeling I would regularaly get when trying my own withdrawl.
The program itself was really touchy-feely and "explorative" of the self, which was great for the full-on addicts there, but a little too much for me too handle. I was addicted to a lousy 3 mg of Xanax for half a year and never abused - never sought drugs, never tried to increase my prescription, only ever tried to quit. The others were there for addictions to 13-20 mg a day of Xanax and multiple other drugs. The clinicians realized I didn't belong, and sent me home on the 3rd day, where I had no trouble finishing the withdrawl period. In fact, the whole time, I threw up only once, and it may have been due to bacteria-contaminated fettucine instead. But I was really glad to have been medically supervised the first 3 days - despite having to deal with other people who had major problems, I really didn't want to be alone. And the depakote made all he difference in coming off the xanax. 4 years later, I've never touched another drug of any sort.
If you can get a prescritpion for depakote, you can try to do this in your own home. They kept me on the depakote for 6 weeks.
|