25th June 2004
Robert,
What is the dose of Xanax your are tapering from? And how are you going about your taper? I agree that it is good to have a doc involved if you do not already have one, but most will just wash their hands and tell you to go to a psychiatrist. There they will want to put you on an anti-depressant (SSRI) but these have stimulating effects and very often make benzodiazepine (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan,etc.) withdrawal worse. Some herbal remedies may help calm you, the safest probably chamomile tea that can be gotten at most grocery stores in the coffee/tea section.
If you find your withdrawal too difficult you may consider a switch to a longer half-life benzodiazepine, Valium, and slow tapering from that. .5 mgs of Xanax = 10 mgs of Valium and so forth. But if you are on high doses of Xanax a direct switch may be unadvised as Valium is initially more sedating. The key to all of this, by the way, is to not try to go too fast. Do some net research: benzo, withdrawal. You will find support and some good information.
Also, I would discourage fast hospital detox for a pure benzo user. Chances are excellent it would turn out a waste of money as withdrawals typically last several weeks or months. Chances are excellent you will leave in worse shape than you got there in.Tapering off slowly is no doubt the omptimal way unless you have lost control of your intake. That does not appear to be the case as you are exhibiting discipline.
What is the dose of Xanax your are tapering from? And how are you going about your taper? I agree that it is good to have a doc involved if you do not already have one, but most will just wash their hands and tell you to go to a psychiatrist. There they will want to put you on an anti-depressant (SSRI) but these have stimulating effects and very often make benzodiazepine (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan,etc.) withdrawal worse. Some herbal remedies may help calm you, the safest probably chamomile tea that can be gotten at most grocery stores in the coffee/tea section.
If you find your withdrawal too difficult you may consider a switch to a longer half-life benzodiazepine, Valium, and slow tapering from that. .5 mgs of Xanax = 10 mgs of Valium and so forth. But if you are on high doses of Xanax a direct switch may be unadvised as Valium is initially more sedating. The key to all of this, by the way, is to not try to go too fast. Do some net research: benzo, withdrawal. You will find support and some good information.
Also, I would discourage fast hospital detox for a pure benzo user. Chances are excellent it would turn out a waste of money as withdrawals typically last several weeks or months. Chances are excellent you will leave in worse shape than you got there in.Tapering off slowly is no doubt the omptimal way unless you have lost control of your intake. That does not appear to be the case as you are exhibiting discipline.