Benzo withdrawl, run out of benzos, can this be used to my advantage for MORE BENZOS?

[STD]

OK. Two weeks ago, I got Xanax. The next four nights were spent taking 4-5mg of it with alcohol and partying hard. Scored some Valium, took about 6mg the next morning.

Then no benzos for two days, and those two nights, I was unable to sleep until sometime around 4:AM. It's like I was getting tired... but I just couldn't sleep. Like something inside was ticking over keeping me aware despite the fact I could feel myself tiring.

The following four nights, party mode resumed, though I took no more than 2mg of xanax and 6mg of valium (or 2mg of xanax with 4mg of valium combined) in one night. Slept fine.

Then comes yesterday... I felt fine, until I decided to go to bed at 3:30AM. My eyes were starting to tire and I knew I should sleep, but I suspected I was going to run into more benzo withdrawl-induced insomnia, that's why I hadn't bothered even trying to sleep until 3:30, I knew there was no chance of sleep before then.

Well, I was right. It's 6:15AM. I'm tired but I just can't sleep. It's exactly the same, I feel like tired crap but there's something burning inside me that just won't let me sleep. And I keep slipping into vague periods where I feel like I am drunk and ready to pass out. I've spent the past three hours lying in bed and it's like I've been waiting for sleep to come but it's just not been happening.

QUESTION: Can this withdrawl be used to get more benzos today? It's totally fucking with me. I would seriously like some sleep. In addition, I want more benzos. I intend to take less, stick to small amounts, but when I've used them sensibly they've improved my quality of life in an amazing way, I just so happened to be a dick and abuse them a bit to much and in that time develop a physical dependance which I'm expecting to last for more than a week, if the internet is to be believed...

QUESTION: Would admitting to taking up to 3mg of xanax per day for two weeks with only a few days off, and during those days, experiencing near total insomnia, plus the other stuff I described, get me more benzos? What'd the effect be?

To me, this is clear benzo withdrawl, and more benzos to taper off with over a period of time is the answer. It's a total truth about the negative effects, the only... modification... of the truth would be me not admitting to more than 3mg of xanax or to the valium at all. Recommendations?

<3

[synthetikal]

When I was hooked on tramadol a couple years back I ran out of them one week and couldnt get anymore for 4-5 days. Now I had a fairly big habit and I didnt wanna have to go through withdrawals. So I went into the doc, explained my situation and asked for a script for tramadol.

I was desperate and didnt really expect it to work. Anyways it didnt but I got a script for Xanax instead.

EDIT: I found valerian to help with benzo withdrawals. I used to pop valium like candy and if i ran out i'd use valerian to help w/d's.

[Gun Lover]

I don't know what to say to your doctor. This is a kinda shitty situation.

If I were you, I would buy more valium and start tapering. It's easier to taper off that shit than xanax.

[STD]

Originally Posted by synthetikal

When I was hooked on tramadol a couple years back I ran out of them one week and couldnt get anymore for 4-5 days. Now I had a fairly big habit and I didnt wanna have to go through withdrawals. So I went into the doc, explained my situation and asked for a script for tramadol.

I was desperate and didnt really expect it to work. Anyways it didnt but I got a script for Xanax instead.

EDIT: I found valerian to help with benzo withdrawals. I used to pop valium like candy and if i ran out i'd use valerian to help w/d's.

Thanks for the protip, what I really want out if this is more benzos, but the withdrawl actually does suck so anything that helps in the meantime is

Originally Posted by Gun Lover

I don't know what to say to your doctor. This is a kinda shitty situation.

If I were you, I would buy more valium and start tapering. It's easier to taper off that shit than xanax.

That's what I've heard and I'd expect the outcome to be. Valium worked great for me, pop 6mg in the morning and I'd be golden for the day.

[turboneger]

Ummm...a little bit of insomnia is a very mild benzo withdrawal.
Just wait a couple more months and the pharmacy fucks up and you get to go to the hospital.

And yeah, tell the doc you were abusing your meds.

Just buy some more valium, shit.

[STD]

And yeah I would never normally admit to abusing meds to a doctor, but in this case, if admitting it can get me more of the drug I want, AND be the right thing health-wise to ease the withdrawl and ease off it...

[STD]

Originally Posted by turboneger

Ummm...a little bit of insomnia is a very mild benzo withdrawal.

I just want MOAR BENZOS!!!!

And yeah, tell the doc you were abusing your meds.
.

Well... I figured it may work. Not an expert which explains my asking the pros here on zoklet.

[STD]

OK took 2mg of valium in the hopes of being able to get some sleep today but that was from my reserve stash, if anybody has advice on what course to take with the new doctor (more benzos to help with withdrawl due to abuse VS normal "i'm anxious what can we do about it?"),now is the time to give it, since I'm heading out to the doc in a couple of hours.

[T.K. Baha]

Benzos and booze are similar. Just tough it out with some booze till you get to the doc?

[ShadyLady]

Originally Posted by synthetikal

When I was hooked on tramadol a couple years back I ran out of them one week and couldnt get anymore for 4-5 days. Now I had a fairly big habit and I didnt wanna have to go through withdrawals. So I went into the doc, explained my situation and asked for a script for tramadol.

I was desperate and didnt really expect it to work. Anyways it didnt but I got a script for Xanax instead.

EDIT: I found valerian to help with benzo withdrawals. I used to pop valium like candy and if i ran out i'd use valerian to help w/d's.

How the fuck is that even possible? Tramadol, really?

OP, just make a doctor's appt & tell your doctor you are having trouble sleeping & ask if he or she could prescribe you something for it. That's exactly how I got a script for Ambien.

[ilovechronic]

The doc will doubt you are in any real danger and doubt you are in withdrawal. They will think you are a drug seeker if you go in asking for benzos/barbs.

if anything you are experiencing minor withdrawal because you are an alcohol user which the extra gaba A agonism for two weeks from the benzos is going have extra effects but also negative effects if you run out(obviously what you are experiencing)

So you are still drinking on these nights you cannot sleep? I would say you are setting yourself up for something very bad with this benzo use on top of alcohol abuse. Also why do you take such a small amount of diazepam but much more alprazolam? Equiv dose of diazepam is like 25-40mgs.

The best suggestion I could give you would be to keep up with the quitting of the benzos and your normal sleep cycle will kick back up after about 2days. Get melatonin. You think it is bad now, keepthis up for another month or two and see how much worse off you are.
If you dont listen to this and you do end up getting a script by deceiving your doctor(not telling her/him about the benzo abuse) you will get a tiny little dose of benzos, only people with severe anxiety and tolerance to benzos get 3mg of xanax per day.

'If you tell the doc you abuse them you most likely get nothing.

Also if you are such an obvious addict/drug seeker on the net then a doc with half a brain is going to realize what you are doing. Just don't say what you said on here.

Originally Posted by ShadyLady

How the fuck is that even possible? Tramadol, really?

OP, just make a doctor's appt & tell your doctor you are having trouble sleeping & ask if he or she could prescribe you something for it. That's exactly how I got a script for Ambien.

YES REALLY. it is possible. it is two addictions/dependencies in one. The SSNRI which gives you the common antidepressant "cessation"(withdrawal) "shocks"(up the spine) and it also is a mu opioid agonist with some partial agonist metabolites or atleast one. which equals opioid withdrawal.
People say shit like this^ but they don't understand an opioid is an opioid no matter how strong or how weak it fits in our receptors and we can become tolerant and dependent. Example: If you use lopermide daily for a decent period of time,atleast 1week-1month you will experience withdrawal syndrome of the opioid type but mostly the symptoms occur in the gut because lopermide does not cross the blood brain barrier and does not have an effect on the CNS at low dose(at least). It only acts on the peripheral opioid receptors but can still cause a physical type withdrawal syndrome. And if you know what the lope is it could even have psychological withdrawal type effects.

Ambien has a cross tolerance with benzos and I can tell you from experience that taking ambien for even a day or two I get a night or two of disturbed sleep after stopping. It causes a worse rebound sleep problem effect than regular benzos.

[STD]

Originally Posted by ilovechronic

The doc will doubt you are in any real danger and doubt you are in withdrawal. They will think you are a drug seeker if you go in asking for benzos/barbs.

Yeah I'd use a bit more tact than that, I'd just ask for what they recommend I think, if I went down the withdrawal route.

So you are still drinking on these nights you cannot sleep?

Nope, I got into benzos because I heard they were "alcohol in a pill", I figured they'd be slightly better on my liver. Even a small amount, like 0.75mg of alprazolam, that helps the general anxiety just fine. I just got a bit carried away when I finally got my hands on some...

Also why do you take such a small amount of diazepam but much more alprazolam?Equiv dose of diazepam is like 25-40mgs.

I had a lot more alprazolam than diazepam.

Thanks for the reply

[ShadyLady]

Originally Posted by ilovechronic

YES REALLY. it is possible. it is two addictions/dependencies in one. The SSNRI which gives you the common antidepressant "cessation"(withdrawal) "shocks"(up the spine) and it also is a mu opioid agonist with some partial agonist metabolites or atleast one.

I did not know that, glad I do now. I wasn't aware of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor properties. I actually have a script for Tramadol for legit pain. It did absolutely NOTHING. I went back & got a script for Vicodin.

Originally Posted by ilovechronic

Ambien has a cross tolerance with benzos and I can tell you from experience that taking ambien for even a day or two I get a night or two of disturbed sleep after stopping. It causes a worse rebound sleep problem effect than regular benzos.

I've been taking Ambien occasionally for around 2 years & my advice for it would be to use it no more than 2 nights per week & not to take it 2 nights in a row.

[JC Denton]

Wow, you sound like a fucking junkie.

So you binged on benzos for 4 nights and already started experiencing withdrawals? Honey, you don't know what benzo withdrawal is. Insomnia is the last thing that would bother you. You begin to get convulsions, static epilepticus, and ultimately death - unless you spend some time in the ICU. So unless you want to experience REAL benzo withdrawals, it's best you not get any more xanax for a while.

[CitizenUzi]

Damn dude man it up at least a little bit. You're just experiencing a minor rebound, technically a W/D but barely. This early on you'll recover fully and very quickly plus it's mostly in your head anyway. As somebody said, have a few drinks if you get really antsy.

I feel bad for you if you're already assuming this position. It only gets much, much worse.

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by STD

Yeah I'd use a bit more tact than that, I'd just ask for what they recommend I think, if I went down the withdrawal route.


Nope, I got into benzos because I heard they were "alcohol in a pill", I figured they'd be slightly better on my liver. Even a small amount, like 0.75mg of alprazolam, that helps the general anxiety just fine. I just got a bit carried away when I finally got my hands on some...


I had a lot more alprazolam than diazepam.

Thanks for the reply

I edited^ but anyway, ok this explains why you are not sleeping. They basically have a cross effect/tolerance. The alcohol would most likely make you feel normal and able to sleep on those nights.

If you want to help yourr liver invest in a good milk thistle supplement and take daily.

Once again the best thing you can do for yourself would be to stop the alcohol and benzos because you are developing dependency and addiction issues to both and once you get to that point it is really hard to use in moderation.

I have never been dependent on benzos or alc but I have been damn close. Whenever I take benzos I crave alcohol because I know they potentiate eachother and I don't like alcohol that much. Also I feel like I can actually drink more on benzos without getting sick than off them.My addiction/dependency is with opioids. but I have used plenty of benzos and alc when trying to get off opioids.

Shadylady that is sound advice on the ambien. Because we are talking about a substance I have rarely used causing dependency like symptoms from just using it for a day or two, thats some scary shit right there.
I would say if she/he gives you ambien to just throw it out because its even more addictive than benzos in my experience.
You think you have insomnia and anxiety now try taking ambien for a week and stopping.

Another warning is benzos are like alcohol in a pill and do put strain on the liver. Long term high dose benzo users get liver cirrhosis similar to alcohol users. Anything that has to be metabolized by the liver potentially puts strain on the liver over time. I didn't thank omrduck for his attack on you but because he is right about the benzo situation and that was the whole point I was trying to make in my initial post.
Milk Thistle,Melatonin, quit drugs/drinking/thread

[Gun Lover]

Originally Posted by CitizenUzi

I feel bad for you if you're already assuming this position. It only gets much, much worse.

Yeah. Jesus Christ, man, just quit while you're ahead.

[T.K. Baha]

Yeah and this is more of a general tip, but fucking tough through those WD's man. No one wants to do it, but proving to yourself that you can tough it out if you need to is critical to staying swimming. Like its been said above, if you think your powerless over the shit, and do desperate shit to stay high, you will sink pretty fucking quick.

I've toughed out days where the future looked hopeless, but you will feel good again, probably will get high again and get back in the same spot lol, but once you realize you can beat WD's, it gives you the confidence to know all you need is a comfortable quiet place, some time off and you got the shit licked.

Not fun, but otherwise your gonna be a slave to that shit. The worst part is WDs at work. Thats a whole nother hell that makes me not wanna use again.

[AdMech]

Patience, man. If your withdrawals became severely unpleasant or life-threatening, you could get more (and save your life, perhaps) by going to the ER. I think if you straight-up admit to abusing your script, though, you'd be weaned off pretty quick. (Who knows? But that's how it seems to me.) But if you can tough it out and go through the whole general process again, you'll end up getting some script, and something is better than nothing; 30mg a month is better than 0mg a month, if you truly have anxiety and need the medication.

[kingOfCrash]

You guys are high on your horses about your respect for benzo withdrawal and assumed disrespect of OP's. He's obviously got a psychological addiction that he allows himself to nourish. He wants to continue his binge, so obviously he doesn't know any better. Even if we tell him, it won't matter. He'll learn the hard way anyway. Just like most of us will do many times over in time to come.

[T.K. Baha]

You don't stop fuckin with fire till you get burned. I'm the same way.

[STD]

OK, I understand that this isn't a horrible withdrawl, so I'm not going to go whine to the doctor about it. Honestly I'd probably laugh at me if I were the doctor. I'm not having seizures or ending up in the ER, I had a few nights of insomnia... I'll tough it out, I've only been on benzos two weeks, and when I start taking them again it'll be at sensible levels like the doctor actually said (0.75 - 1.5mg/day of alprazolam.) When I took it sensibly like that it did work wonders for the generalised anxiety. Thanks for the advice/kick up the ass zoklet.

[ilovechronic]

Originally Posted by STD

OK, I get this isn't a horrible withdrawl, I'm not going to go whine to the doctor about withdrawal. Honestly I'd probably laugh at me too. I'm tough it out, I've only been on benzos two weeks, and when I start taking them again it'll be at sensible levels like the doctor actually said (0.75 - 1.5mg/day of alprazolam.) When I took it sensibly like that it did work wonders for the generalised anxiety. Thanks for the advice/kick up the ass zoklet.

goodluck, dont come back saying you were not warned to just quit the shit and tough out the w/d and anxiety.
Any rebound anxiety you had from this will be far worse if you stay on benzos for a while and come to this same fork in the road/problem. Benzos are an anxiety bandaid meant to be taken short term. It wont fix the anxiety longterm that is up to you by the decisions you make and how you deal with it. And right now you are not dealing with it very well(alcohol and benzo use/abuse)

Originally Posted by kingOfCrash

You guys are high on your horses about your respect for benzo withdrawal and assumed disrespect of OP's. He's obviously got a psychological addiction that he allows himself to nourish. He wants to continue his binge, so obviously he doesn't know any better. Even if we tell him, it won't matter. He'll learn the hard way anyway. Just like most of us will do many times over in time to come.

Nobody is on a high horse the op can easily learn from others mistakes if the op pays attention and listens.
I just saw someone say this on zoklet the other day: "A smart man will make mistakes and learn from them while a wise man will learn from other smart mens mistakes" or something like that.

[JC Denton]

So you got the 0.25mg ones? Or the bars?

[STD]

Originally Posted by OMr_duckO

So you got the 0.25mg ones? Or the bars?

Generic 0.5mg stuff.

I'm seeing a doctor in a couple of days so I'll just see what I can get my hands on and use it as needed... not go over the top like the past fortnight. It was a fucking awesome two weeks though, seriously, it was just BAM BAM BAM sex and fucking and a blur of hilarity.

[Intoxicated Shaman]

You sound like my friend who ended up getting a script for klonopins while she was drinking every day and was already one of my best pill customers. She doesn't even live in the state anymore after getting arrested too much, attempting suicide "as a joke" by eating a bottle full of aspirin and dimenhydrinate, and successfully alienating me and all of her other friends by being a wasted, blacked out retard 24/7.

That's the road you're on it seems like.

[STD]

Originally Posted by Intoxicated Shaman

and successfully alienating me and all of her other friends by being a wasted, blacked out retard 24/7.

That's the road you're on it seems like.

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ning_alcoholic

A High-functioning alcoholic (HFA) is a form of alcoholism where the alcoholic is able to maintain their outside life such as jobs, academics, relationships etc. all while drinking alcoholically.[1] Many HFAs are not viewed by society as alcoholics because they do not fit the common alcoholic stereotype. Unlike the stereotypical alcoholic, HFA's have either succeeded or over-achieved through their lifetimes. This can lead to denial of alcoholism through both the HFA, co-workers, family members and friends. Functional alcoholics account for 19.5 percent of total U.S. alcoholics, with 50 percent being smokers and one-third having a multigenerational family history of alcoholism.[2]

[i poop in your cereal]

Originally Posted by STD

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ning_alcoholic

Keep telling yourself that.

[mksnowboarder]

Okay, I'll break it down for you, and you can take my word, because I've done exactly these things.

First of all, going to a doctor and asking for a taper after two weeks of low dose benzo use is the absolute worst possible thing you could do. You'll be labeled a drug seeker; you're admitting to abusing your script and would clearly be seen as someone trying to score more, poorly.

Doctors won't give you a taper even if you've been on them for 2-3 months. Benzo withdrawals suck. The insomnia alone drives me nuts. But doctors sometimes refuse to taper even if you're a legit, prescribed user, taking just your recommended dose; there's absolutely no chance they'd give it a druggie.

Now, you can go score some at the ER or a new psychiatrist if you really want (but if you're getting two regular scripts from two doctors, don't be stupid and bill them both to your insurance), but I don't think you should. Even if I'm not trying to get recreational effects, my prescriptions have never lasted me the full time they were meant to. I consider this a blessing in disguise. Though I've been prescribed a whole slew of benzodiazepines on and off for half a decade now, often in large amounts, I have never been addicted. It'd be nice to have that feeling always, relaxed and sleepy, but having two weeks off them every month will prevent addiction and dramatically slow the development of tolerance. Trust me, you would be better off doing that, rather than taking them as often as you can.

Now, you're not addicted at all, and you're only experiencing withdrawal in the very loosest sense of the word. Quit whining. Smoke some weed and drink some liquor if you need to sleep. Drink some nyquil. Your brain hasn't grown so used to the benzos in either a psychological or physical sense that you really won't be able to sleep.

Anyone who's fucked with this shit before can tell you that your alcohol/benzo use is gonna lead you down a real bad road if you're not careful - and you're not being careful. Seriously, take my advice and dial back your usage right now - big time!

mike