Please HELP me understand Benzo taper

[JayFive]

I've been recreationally taking benzo's for three months. Stupid idea, but i had a big life change and it did wonders for my insomnia. I'm not at 1.5mg of kolonopin each night and I want to taper off. I am no longer able to get k pins but will have access to ativan. I understand its harder to get off of ativan because it has a shorter half life. But my question is this. Since it has a shorter half life will the wd period be shorter? Like hydrocodone and methadone. One will be in wd much longer after getting off of methadone in comparison to hydrocodone because of the half life. Is this true for benzo's as well? I sure hope so. I do not want to be on this stuff anymore. I'm very frusterated that I continue to slip up, please help me understand benzo and benzo wd and tapering. I have tried to see three doctors. The lowest intake is $350 cash plus $250 a month. I have no insurance. I sure would like a doctor but I cannot afford it. If you can help, great, if not no worries, you just need not reply.

[hlpplse]

Hey Jay I don't know about subs but I just finished a K taper. I was only on them for 5 months and took less than prescribed, and tapering for 2...Im not gonna lie it was brutual. I am 16 days off of them now and my anxiety is still there but way more manageable. The first 9 days were tough. I would read the ashton manual it talks about benzo withdrawals. I hated the way they made me feel and feel so much better off of them. Benzos can give you nightmares as well as the w/d   Good Luck Brother keep on posting!!!

[JayFive]

Thank you so much. I'm trying to quit both suboxone and benzo's. I'm thinking of doing the subs first. I sure wish I had a doctor but can't afford it. I'm searching for a community doc. Anyway, I'm on 3mg k pins and 6 mg suboxone. I take suboxone nasal because of the bioavailability.  But I feel it doesn't stay in my system as long. Anyone know anything about that? I'm aware of te dangers and I appreciate your concerns. Also I can't take melatonin. Gives me terrible nightmares. I've been taking sleepy time tea and kava tea. It helps a lot. So should I try and quit the subs first?? Also, can excercise help during my benzo taper?

[VICourageous]

Hi..Great advise from my MH Family..You can get DOWN to the Weakest of all benzos and do it nice and slow..If you are a addict you will want someone to hand these out to you..If not you can think it did not kick in and take more. I c/t from Methadone & a Benzo plus one other drug..It was way worse then when I just c/t off of hydo or oxys..This detox went on into many stages for a VERY LONG time..I never say on here because I do not want to freak any body out. The long stretch of this was mostly due to the Klons.I did not know how bad it was to c/t a Benzo and I am lucky to be alive. I had already 3 months in before I joined here..So if you stick around and listen to our Family on here we can help you in many ways with lots of natural remedies we use.
I think the Klons are the worse to detox from because it is like Methadone and other synthetic drugs and does not like to let go. You were on them for such a short time that you should be fine in no time. It is just the Anxiety that you should try to find natural things to clam your self down and find things more natural to sleep..Ds, Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium do wonders to calm you down..Melatonin is great for sleep..Try to stay away from caffeine & sugars and simple carbs during this time. There is this powder called "CALM" it has the Magnz in it and some other things..It works wonders..I must say that I am very Proud of you to catch this early before you really got out of control..I wish you the Best.
Bless

[JayFive]

Thank you. Can anyone address the half life to length of wd question? I plan to do this. I'm going to a meeting in 10 minutes.

[gnarly_1]

hi benzos should be tapered at a slow slow rate we cannot provide taper plans on the forum it is agents the rules just know you will go into withdrawals wile still tapering and sleep will probably be a problem  I tapered off clonpine over a 8 week period but I remember it being difficult the bottom line is you will feel so much better being off them so it is worth the stress of getting off them good luck and God bless.................................Gnarly..........................

[ariley13]

Hi there! Be very, very careful doing this. Benzo withdrawals can be downright dangerous, and can possibly cause seizures. It's best to have a doctor set up a taper plan for you. If you do decide to (or have to) do this on your own, please listen to Kbusymom and go very slow and steady. It's not a race, and benzo wds are nothing to be messed with. Please stick around and keep posting. This is a great place to get advice, support, and encouragement. We are here for you. Please take care and good luck to you!

[Kbusymom]

I finished a benzo taper beginning of Dec.  I was on Xanax for 5 years and my dr. tapered me with Ativan.  We can't give taper schedules on here, but a slow taper is the way to go.  I started on my own taper  with the Xanax before I saw my new dr.(old one cut me off of opiates and Benzos) for 2 weeks and then did a 5 week Ativan taper with new dr.  The shelf life of Ativan means it stays in your system longer, Xanax is the fastest acting benzo.  
The WD is hard, but so worth it. Sleep is hard to come by coming off both opiates and Benzos at about the same time but I'm sleeping well now with melatonin.  
My anxiety has gotten much better too; it was out of control during WD, but it gets better.  
Good luck and welcome to the forum; this is a great lace for support.