Outpatient rehab???

[JenLyn25]

I'm currently taking benzos for my anxiety disorder and have been on them for almost 3 years now but I'm not addicted to the benzos, I'm dependent on them. They do not get me high and if I took enough to try to obtain that feeling I'd probably end up in the hospital from an overdose or worse but the reason I can't just stop taking them is because I have been on them so long and my body is use to them and I go through severe withdrawals which has caused me to go into convulsions on 4 separate occasions and 2 of those times I had a convulsion while walking up the stairs in my house, needless to say I ended up getting hurt and had to go to the hospital by an ambulance. Well anyway, I was wondering if anyone has been into outpatient rehab for this or is they know of any places that have outpatient benzo rehab programs? In patient rehab is just not possible for me now, for one I'm not a drug addict like so many of the sites say about people who are addicted and or dependent on benzos, so I wouldn't be comfortable around people who had like cocaine, heroine addictions etc. and I also have a 7 week old daughter and most of the research I have done about in patient rehab is that it can last for awhile and you're usually not allowed to see or talk to friends and family for the first several weeks you're in rehab and there is no way that I can just up and go into and in patient facility and leave my husband with the burden of working and taking care of our daughter and I wouldn't be able to go that long without being with my daughter. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am sick of being on these benzos and have been for a long time, they don't even help my anxiety anymore and are keeping me from living the life I want. I am working with a cognitive behavioral therapist and have a regular psychiatrist but any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

[JenLyn25]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I know I can do this, I am a strong person and I'm trying not to be hard on myself and well I'm really not that hard on myself, I'm just frustrated because I'm sick of being on Xanax, I want my life back.  

[nursegirl6572]

You most definitely can be safely tapered off benzos on an outpatient basis.  You just need to find the right doctor who understands these meds, and how to properly (usually slowly) taper someone off of them.

A psychiatrist is the best option to try first.  Explain your situation, your goals, and most importantly, the dangerous situations you've been in trying to come off of them alone (seizures).  I'm so glad you're okay, and now you understand WHY it is SO important to never try to discontinue these kinds of meds without medical supervision.  They require a deliberate taper.

Like erin said above...it may not be the most pleasant experience you've ever gone through, but a medically supervised taper will at least keep you safe.

Best of luck...keep in touch!

[erin626]

You might want to ask on the substance abuse forum. A lot of people that are taking prescribed meds for legitimate reasons go on there looking for help to get off of them. Also, if you talk to your doc he can set you up on a taper plan that will safely reduce your dose gradually to avoid the convulsions and other dangers of withdrawing. You should never stop benzos cold turkey if you've been taking them for awhile. There will be some discomfort with a taper but no real health danger. But tapers from benzos need to be monitored by a doc. I did it myself and probably incorrectly and I sure wish I had been under a doctors supervision when I did it.

Check your local phone book for outpatient detox centers. I know there were a few listed in mine.

Good luck with everything.

[kane3]

Hey there, I am sorry to hear about your troubles of late, I can relate to your story. I guess my first question if how much of the Benzo's are you taking (M.G. and what kind?) And have you tried talking to any doctor about the situation that you are in. I have been there before, and Im still here right now, so I know the daily fear and anxiety that is caused just from taking the meds. But the thing you have to think about is what is the real issue with the medication that is giving you the most problem. Has there been a slight increase over the years on the med that it has gotten to the point where it suddenly just got to much too handle? I know I started on Xanax and the first 6 months seemed okay. But I noticed sleeping was starting to be an issue and anxiety was starting to increase. With this my meds started to increase as well. Over the next year, I started thinking about my anxiety more and wondering if it was out of control, so I increased my dose again. And before I even knew it when I was trying to cut back, I began having huge sweats, nightmares, shakes, convulsions as well (once), leg cramps, hallucinations, vertigo, you name it! So I just kept taking them over the remaining of the year. Fast forwarding to now, Im still on Xanax. But with a great team up with my doctor and family I have got down to 1mg at night!! It took some strong dedication, and huge devotion to wanting my life back, and having the support there made it work. My suggestion to you is trying to set up some kind of weaning process to a point where you start to feel like yourself again (and dangers are elimated). Maybe not cutting the medication totally, but just too a point where you have control again. I know your not a drug addict, your a great person, and I know exactly what you feel like and have been feeling over the years. I think taking the first step and talking to your local doctor would be a great place to start. You can message me and I can walk you through some great things that also helped me regain the ropes on my life with the meds. You can do it! You are a great person! Dont be so hard on yourself, its not you! I did it without any impatient program, and Im a 5 minute walk from the best hospital in Canada!!