alprazolam abuse

[adviseneededplz]

hi,, i am a medical student in india,, my uncle is on alprazolam approx 8-10mgs per day for the past 2-3 months, of late he is having symotoms of depression, incoordination, weakness, lack of interest and day time drowsiness. he is not ready to seek medical attention.. being in the health care field myself i feel helpless not being able to help him..kindly advise.. i will be forever obliged for your advise.. his wieght is 90 kgs, he is a cronic smoker, cronic alcoholic( absteining now due to peptic ulcers which was diagnosed about 2 months back), no h/o DM, HTN..

[abel04]

How you doin'?  How's uncle? How're your studies?  Anyone else to help you with uncle in the family, friends?
thinking about you
annabel

[my_mayberry]

if the xanax is in addition to the alcohol.....then he's really playing with fire here. being a medical student, you should know already how diazepam is used for withdrawal from xanax. this needs to be dr surpervised and the process alone of switching from xanax to valium is a long process...but ultimately at these doses and with alcohol in the mix, perhaps thats the best route? a doctor will know best...but the alcohol needs to be dealt with FIRST...then the xanax. its often the case that during a taper, a person will rebound and 'load up' so to speak...it happens unfortunately...and if it were to happen while taking BOTH benzo's and alcohol, it could be deadly. you say he is not currently drinking, but there is a huge difference between not drinking due to a medical condition and actually quitting, period. no matter what, a doctor will likely go with a long taper and it will be very important to not ever add alcohol into that mix....something an alcoholic will find very hard not to do, ulcer or not.

[dominosarah]

Yes he does need professional help.  Hopefully he will want this for himself......

[abel04]

so sorry about the 1/2 advice meant 1/4, but the point is that your uncle needs professional help------especially coming off xanax

[dominosarah]

I just saw this....I agree with vicki here.  DO NOT cut the dose in half.       sara

[tramsbite]

I agree he does need to taper slowly. However the point in abels post that should not be dismissed is Your uncle has to WANT to get sober. If he does not make that choice for himself, then it won't make a bit of difference what you do. If you control his meds he will get them somewhere else, put him in rehab and yes he will get clean , but what will stop him from popping pills as soon as he is out?

[vicki595]

Hi~  Please!  I have to tell you DO NOT follow the advice aboce.  Your Uncle is on a very large dose and cutting that dose in HALF will make him ill.  Get with a doctor or look this up yourself but start tapering him down in small amounts over a long period of time.

Good luck!