vallium and nitrazepam addiction

[leamstud]

Since the age of 17 i have been taking diazepam in increasing quantities until a few years ago when they reduced the dosage right down to 4Mg a day and 10Mg nitrazepam for sleeping at night.

I have been abusing them by taking more than i should then going for days sometime weeks without sometimes taking as much as 26Mg diazepam and doubling up on nitrazepam too.

However the usage has had a real negative effect on my girlfriend of approx 2 years because i kept going OTT with them.
This has lead to  me wanting to come off them completely, so i asked my consultant to help and she has put me on a programme of reduction to nil withing 6 weeks, however she is not aware that i have been taking the large amounts and i am finding it really very difficult.

Can anyone suggest how to go about getting myself off these from the higher dosage, i expect lots of difficulties but i do manage to go weeks without them but hide most of my symptoms from my partner with the symptoms are sometimes hell and as soon as they are available i am back there again.

My girlfriend is now supporting me in the proccess of coming off them and the gp has told her to reduce my dosage by 1/4 of a tablet every 4 to 5 days and that is how we are going at mo.it is very very difficult at moment but am sticking to it but in my opinion there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

[luckyman89]

i spent 20years as an addict with most of the available uppers and downers and valium was my baby,my crutch and my shield from realitty!!..and i understand how hard it is...i have been clean for 17months now butt for the first year i just coulnt see the end of the tunnel..you have to be honest with your gp and tell them everything!!...honesty is the only way to ensure you get the necessary help..and if poss a drug councilling agency/someone who understands is a ggood step to take!!..the journey is very hard and mentally exhausting,but it is worth it...the immense feeling of accomplishment and freedom at the end makes it so worthwhile!! I am now going to colllege to get the qauls to become a drug councillor..what you are doing is brave and if you stick to it you will feel the reward!!..keep your chin up and best of luck!!..Theirs no such thing as can't!!

[boogaloo]

You need to be honest with your gp.  They will cut you off before you should be if you don't.  It's scarry coming off something you have been on for so long.  They will help you but you must be honest.

Good luck

[leamstud]

Hi, i know im new to this site and it may seem i got enough support but i am really desperate to hear from likewise people about what i am going through.

I suffer most of the symptoms that i have read about in this forum, restless legs when i sat watching tv at night. i dont have a problem getting off to sleep but i only sleep a couple of hours then im marching the floors all night while everyone else asleep.

I have tried stopping several times and failed, i have tried to cut them down to the prescribed dose but failed. I am now trying with the support of the GP but unfortunately they dont know the extent of the problem and i am scared that if i tell them i have been abusing them they may stop them dead. i get 28 5ml diazepam every two weeks but sometimes i take as many as 13 in one day. Same goes for the nitrazepam i take these in the day when i run out of the others HELP