First, congrats on wanting to give up being drug dependent, or addicted, whatever you want to call it. Regarding the xanax, I have some benzo dependence and withdrawal experience, so I can give you my thoughts...if you're taking a xanax to sleep on day 3, what are you going to take on day
4? How about day 24? I went C/T from an opiate addiction 4 months ago.
My insomnia lasted 3 weeks, solid. After that, things slowly got better.
Try some melatonin, or valarian root, or Kava tea. My advice is to throw out the xanax. We all have anxiety and insomnia. Its part of the deal. We've messed up our brains and nervous system big time. It takes time to heal.
I just want to state that Xanax (benzodiazapines) used for 4 daysis considered to be okay regarding dependence on them. Many Dr.s prescribe them for much longer use and withdrawing from them makes getting off opiates a "walk in the park." For many, it is a long drawn out extremely frustrating, anxiety ridden experience which can include derealization, depersonalization, agoraphobia, hynagogia (halucinations), long term insomnia, akethesia (pacing), neuropathy, vision problems..and the list continues ..which can continue from 12-24 months with times of clarity (aka windows in the benzo world) and then get hit with some of the above symptoms out of the blue (aka waves to those experieincing it). Most of us knew what opiates could do..few of us know (until we live it) what benzodiapined dependence can do to our central nervous system (CNS). Most doctors 'seem' unaware. Bottom line: Brain damage. That is not to say that it's necessarily permanent...but for many (50%)..it's a long drawn out process. I am not making light of getting narcotics out of your system...I am thrilled that I am opiate free and benzo 'free'....and very grateful that I don't have ALL of the mind bending benzo symptoms.I now have to be patient and try to eat right, exercize..sleep when possible and trust that freedom truly does lie ahead. I was prescribed these so that I could continue a long unorthodox medical treatment that induced anxiety. Something like a twilight zone episode. I just hope anyone who is considering benzos to do your research. If I had...believe me..they never would have passed my lips.
I have been clean for 9 days from Painpills, It still rough, but now it is mostly mental. My mind tells me to take just 1 but that is not the answer, Just Cowboy Up It will get better I Promise. In the past I quit and stayed clean for 71 days and started hanging around people who was using. Everyone I know is addicted, Please respond with any suggestions that can help me, Thank You and God Bless Andrew
good replies...the DOC is a symptom of underliying isssue..the key is after detox...the message is loud and clear....THERES A BETTR WAY OF LIFE WITHOUT USING....millions of people live happy healthy lives without it...they love , nurture, show up for life, laugh, engage in healty relations without pills, and dmmint i wann a be one of them,,,
(recovery hug)
Free..
Minn, your post made me snort out my iced tea! I laughed so hard I cried! I can just imagine watching them in the toilet going around!! OH MY! I would have tried to grab them with my hand!! Thank you for the laugh, I really need it!
Sonrissa, your sense of humor will help a lot! Laughter has gotten me through many a rough day. The other day I found 3 hydrocodone in a drawer I was cleaning out, went to flush them and the toilet didn't flush! I had to watch the darned things bob around while the tank filled. Ugh! Then I saw the irony and humor in the situation and just started laughing, and then of course I shared it with my friends here so they could laugh too.
tg, if you watch funny movies and shows and comedians, it will definitely help. I know it is hard to concentrate at first, but gradually you'll be involved in what you're watching and you'll have moments when you forget the misery and laugh.
Hi, you sell Roxys? Wow! I am low and really need some! Just kidding! My sense of humor will have to be one thing that gets me through this! I am 53 years old have have never done anything like buying them off the street in my life! Isn't it sad that when I get low before my next refill that if I knew how to I would buy them off the street! I can't believe I would ever consider that in my life! How on earth does this happen!? Something I have to explore in my journey! Seriously I wish you the very best! You are an inspiration! I'm not ready yet, but I am gating so close! This forum has been the best thing I've come across in years! God bless!
I respect the no-Xanax advice of others. IMO it can be a Godsend for some short term relief. When I was able to stop Percocet years ago after 2 foot surgeries I used Xanax for a week and it really helped. Opiates create a strong addiction, Xanax is no where near as addictive as there is no high or euphoria, it just gave me some peace in the storm, some calm, some sleep. Once your old self comes back you will feel so fantastic that you likely won't want any drugs in your life. Forget Suboxone, it's another brand of opiate, soon you'll be glad you didn't fall into that trap. Responsible use of Xanax for a short time I think is fine because during withdrawal there is a high risk of opiate relapse and if some Xanax gives you enough relief to keep you away from any more Oxycodone then you are far better off. No Xanax would be great, I just think people are overly cautioned about short term benzo use to help get over a very serious & deadly opiate addiction. It was refreshing to hear you mention God, He does not do much for us, but He does everything with us, He is there right along side you now and so are the many fine folks on this wonderful forum. May your spirit soar high again soon!
That's what we're talking about - you aren't weak - you're just sick. Get rid of the benzos and subs and give yourself a fighting chance here. As IB said, you didn't get here overnight and you won't get out overnight. But you have to give yourself TIME to do this and that means more than three days. Now get rid of those pills because you'll take them if you have them - you're way too vulnerable right now to resist the easy way out. And the risk of cross-addiction right now is HUGE. Almost inevitable.
And you'd be surprised how great it feels to take control over your life again like that - it caught me by surprise and it felt amazing. It doesn't have to be some grand gesture - only small steps at a time and you'll reap a ton of benefits from those steps. You CAN do this.
im just so weak and i want to stop and i believe the power of the almighty can help.. thank you all so much for your concern and comments. i will keep you posted. (fyi) i did take a little piece of a xanax and i feel less anxious and nervous and my anxiety has left.. FOR NOW. but great advice and once again, thanks.
Great advise you got there. And as you will also find out, it is the behavior and thinking that needs to change. So thinking that one pill will help you get through the detox of another pill is old behavior. And thinking it is okay to take something you bought on the street is old behavior.
You can do this without the use of other drugs. Give yourself time to get well. You didn't get sick overnight and the recovery will take a bit of time.
Hang in there and keep posting. No matter what, just don't use!!
I know how badly you're feeling right now - I remember those days. But finding another drug to get through this will only set you back. You CAN do this without the help of subs or a benzo. And it's way too easy right now to get addicted to something else.
What are you doing for aftercare? Meetings are good - finding a therapist is good too. Remember, quitting isn't only about stopping our DOC - it's finding a new way to live and more importantly, a new way to cope with things. And taking a pill to "fix" things can no longer be an option for us.
There are a ton of home remedies that can help you through the physical stuff (check out the thomas recipe - lot of good stuff there). Good luck to you and congrats for quitting. :)