can you go cold turkey off benzos?

[kezza27]

I have been on benzos for a number of years now for numerous reasons. Sleep, anxiety etc, Im now going on a methadone programme due to other reasons, and really want to get off the benzos asap. Is it possible to do it cold turkey, the way i did with morphine yrs ago, even though that was complete hell, or can it actually be quite harmful, as ive heard it could be. Im sure my doc will have something to say about it next time i see him but any advice is greatly appreciated til then.

[kezza27]

Thankyou all for your comments. I have been slowly tapering down now for a couple of months - still have some to go but i will get there slowly. I still wonder in my head tho, how the hell will i ever fall to sleep again if i don't have any, it freaks me out a little. I appreciate everyones advice.
I have also changed from suboxone to methadone for chronic pain problems, i have been on it for a couple of months now on 55mg daily. But to my horror a couple of wkends ago i was overdosed at the chemist she gave me 10 x the actual dose, i slept in a like coma for 2days my parents where worried, i was so out of it i couldn't explain what had happened. I was finally ok afterwards and visited my doctor - he said it was lucky i didnt take the benzo's that night i could of died - something i do not want. Yet the pharmacist who did it has not got in trouble or had more training since this has happened. Thankgod my doctor is thinking of putting me on fentinal patches-hopefully that will help and not cost my life!

[kimmieb]

absolutely, you have to taper and preferably under a doctor's supervision....very necessary for health and safety...i'm speaking from experience.....was on a few mg's of ativan for over 5 years.....one day, accidentally, after getting home from  hospital after major surgery, i realized i'd run out of my ativan.....didn't think anything of it, just figured i'd get a refill next time i saw my doctor....well, i had NO idea whatsoever what i was in store for.....i think i was in hell for a few days....i honestly thought i was having life threatening complications from my surgery (complete hysterectomy and going through menopause literally overnight).....i called my doctor, he called in a script, i went back on it and felt better immediately.....soon afterwards, i made the decision that i needed to probably taper off of them....which i did....i found a good doctor who helped me do it virtually painlessly and effortlessly.....amazing.....and here i thought i was in for a loooooooooong awful terrible struggle....but i wasn't....a good doctor can get you off of a benzo with very little trouble using other medications that you then taper off of very easily.....took me about 3 months total i think, give or take....but either way, please do it only under a doctor's supervision when you feel the time is right for you....prayers are with you....

[SammyTheSnail]

You won't sleep till the seizures start. Sorry about the melodramatic tone, but you have to taper and maybe switch to another sedative for a few days at the end-point. Takes a while.

[christos24]

i think he meant "wouldnt"

[TimmyVD]

I would do it...it will drive you mad. The withdrawals are more mental than anything else. Just taper down to nothing.

[GoingToMakeIt]

I am not sure what is up with your mood? The story here for Benzos is to taper slowly!
You said in May that you were going to taper. How far did you get? I realize it is tough, but you have to do this to get free.

"When your desire to get clean, is stronger than your desire to use. Then, you will get clean" GTMI

[christos24]

yeah since youve been on them for years I would seriously advice you not too..it could absolutely kill you. even if your dose was low you would still need to taper with a long lasting benzo(like valium or lubirum) otherwise you will have major tremors, convulsions, and the worst withdrawals you could ever imagine. its like the worst heroin withdrawal, but in the end you could die. this is absolutely the truth, dont even try and mess around wtih going CT, just taper and you will experience very mild if no discomfort at all

[avisg]

NO you cant.... its very dangerous .Talk to your doctor about a SLOW taper plan.You can get off of them but it takes some time you can do it. :)
avis

[worried878]

ask ur doctor to help u taper off the benzos...not a ct type of thing..too dangerous

[kezza27]

thanks for the comments i will take it on board.

[GoingToMakeIt]

Great to see you post, CATUF!

[CATUF]

no.  it's dangerous to go ct off benzos.  seek medical assistance.

take a look at: http://www.benzobuddies.org/buddiesguide#cold-turkey-danger

CATUF
1161

[GoingToMakeIt]

Not unless you want to have seizures. It is best to taper off of Benzos