I just found your channel. I appreciate you and your knowledge. I’m 62 and was prescribed Klonopin 30 years ago after being diagnosed with MS. I took 1mg. As prescribed each night. Here’s the kicker…2 years ago I changed neurologist and was told I did NOT have MS! All these flare ups I have been having were due to being intolerant to the Klonopin. Just typing this makes me so angry. I have just finished a 14 month taper off. I look back now and realize after my own research that it was in fact the medication causing the depression, anxiety, panic, etc. I did not have any of these symptoms before I started the Klonopin. So now, I’m trying to get my life back after being sick and intolerant after 30 years thinking it was MS. I would like to add, I feel robbed of more than half my life. If it wasn’t for the grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior I couldn’t have successfully tapered off. I now pray for healing not just for myself but everyone that has been affected by these drugs. Thank you for this video and may God richly bless you.
Glad ur trying but u prolly took benzos to help anxiety and they help but after a while it destroys gaba reception and it can take year or two to feel better
@@scottjohnson2401 no, not prescribed for anxiety. Never had a problem with anxiety unti I became tolerant to it. I understand all too well about the Gaba receptors as I’ve educated myself and done tons of research. It’s a shame what these meds do to our bodies and minds. The healing after a safe taper is a journey in itself. Time and perseverance are what it takes.
I’m tapering off clonazepam (called klonopan in U.S.) - .05mg p/day .. for close to 35 yrs. now 😮 I was diagnosed w/ mood disorder - started on it & then 600mg of lithium p/day … spent my life learning, healing & growing. All this time, now that I’ve DEALT with my dysfunctional/ trauma childhood & early adulthood … turns out I didn’t have a mood disorder, I was just trying to cope with a LOT of life shit. I WILL say, the clonazepam & lithium MAY have helped me as I persevered & did the ‘work’ throughout my life - took 2 decades for me to finally feel peace. Two decades to learn to set healthy boundaries w/ family & HOLD them. As I have, family has done a 180* .. they see & know they can’t manipulate me anymore in THEIR insecurities… because if that relationships are mended, should have been healed. It’s a beautiful thing. That said … most don’t do this deep healing work. All at my current Drs. suggestion & unwavering support I’ve been off the lithium for 6yrs., I’ve SLOWLY (like 18 mos.) tapered from .05mg to .25mg. After a break while going through a lot - moving my Mom to long term care & getting her settled etc …- I’m NOW working on tapering down & OFF. I’m giving myself another year to 18 mos. I have a digital scale that weighs to .ooo, so I can accurately weigh from weight of pill (.08g) all the way down to .01g ! I’m going down in .01 increments & taking at least 2 mos. For each. My goal is to live as normal/ happy as possible life as possible while I taper. I bought empty gel capsules online & weigh out my cut pills (now at .07g) for a few weeks at a time, putting the correct amt. in each gel capsule. (I don’t crush, but some do I apparently) So far, after a month now, I’ve only had a couple of times of feeling resistance/uncomfortable/headache or whatever … I have a cup of herbal tea, have a bath. & ask my husband to be gentle .. ❤ I’m grateful for this opportunity & this journey to FINALLY take total control of my life
@@jane-cn6nd the doctor prescribing them dropped me as a patient and my new PCP wouldn’t prescribe them. I wanted off of them so I just tapered my last script. I didn’t know how serious withdrawal was at the time. I quickly couldn’t walk and had no way to get to a doctor. I thought I could just push through it but that’s when I realized I’m in for a lengthy painful recovery period.
If you can try smoking indica cannabis it helps with intense withdrawal symptoms. No smoking hybrid or sativa they cause anxiety. Indica is meant for sleeping and relaxing. I would get flower over vape and also indica edible brownie in a high dose can help. I would get a medical weed card.
I am going through it right now. I took 12 mg Lorazepam every day for 5 years. I started tarpering off july 2023 . Oct 31. i took my last pill. Now after nearly 7 months i believe seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I had (and have) every withdrawelsymptom except Deliriium and grand mal seizures. I have done everything on my own and at home. It is hell on earth. But now i can see my personalty and my emotions coming back. Most of the time i believe i will be normal again. I am sorry for my bad languageskills, i am not a native speaker.
In 1992 I was hospitalized and diagnosed with severe panic disorder and agoraphobia, I was prescribed xanax. Fast forward a few years and my doctor was prescribing 6mgs a day. In 2014 I began to very slowly lower my daily dose because I knew doctors were learning about long-term effects and hesitating to prescribe benzos especially in such high doses. I feel very fortunate that by the time I had to come off of xanax completely, I'd already started the process on my own. After nearly 28 years, I really didn't suffer from withdrawal except for the odd brain zaps that eventually went away.
@freddumee I should also recommend going to a Dr. Explain your situation and he/she will probably subscribe gabapentin at an initial high dose the slowly get it down to about 100mg-500mg.
Xanax withdrawal was hell. I took the lowest dose for 4 months and built a tolerance. My doctor said I could either increase the dose or frequency, or stop taking it completely. I didn't want to do the dance of increasing the dose every so often so I decided to come off of it. I heard coming off of 0.25mg would be nothing. WRONG. It was a week of hell followed by 2 more less but still tough weeks. I'm glad I persevered though and am doing much better 2 and a half months later.
There are 100s of symptoms. The supervised detox is still abruptly stopping the patient and shouldn’t be done. I never abused my doctors abruptly stopped me once the warning went on the box in 2020. Now I’ve been suffering for over 6 years. I lost everything my mind body function family home pets my soul. Now I’ve got anhedonia bad and can’t get my brain to work right. This all started in 2010 when prescribed lexapro and clonopazam for insomnia 12 years I took the medication as prescribed.
Try smoking medical weed. Indica strain is meant for relaxing the nervous system. If you live a state that permits weed try getting a medical card. Medical weed is strong and can help with withdrawal symptoms.
You typing this 3 months ago, really shows how strong and far you’ve came. I’m currently tapering off benzos, it’s not easy but you’re strength is second to none and I gain more hope and faith. Nothing but the best my friend!
Holy shit… this is insane! I’ve read so many comments talking about getting prescriptions taken away abruptly due to changing doctors or ignorant doctors cutting everyone off since it’s addictive. That is so evil I can’t put my frustration into words. I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Stay strong and healthy. See a therapist. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and when you break out you’ll have done something 99.9999% of people couldn’t do. You’re incredibly strong mentally.
One more thing... I'm NOT afraid of anything or anyone... We all breathe the same air. But this Benzo life... I'm terrified, absolutely scared to death!
Dr. Kim, after almost 29 years of nightly benzos (and Flexeril) i learned how bad they are for your brain, asked my doctor if i could stop. She simply said, "okay, stop." I went into a hellish many months long of horrible debilitating withdrawal, by myself in my apartment (retired senior). I tried to reach her and she wouldn't answer, then finally got a text saying to call for appt. No way could i have driven to office or sat quietly or still in waiting room. Wanted to go to ER, was afraid they would give me benzos and I'd have to start all over again, and couldnt drive to get there anyway. Nearly six months later, i was able to drive to my doctor's office, tried to discuss withdrawal with her; she just rolled her eyes and changed the subject. Seemed to think i was lying or exaggerating. I saw her once more the following week for lab results, tried to speak about it again, she again rolled her eyes and changed subject. Never saw her again.
Ugh. I am so sorry that this was your experience in healthcare. I’m just astonished how there is still a knowledge gap amongst many medical clinicians to this day about the potential dangers of withdrawal from benzodiazepines
OMG 😱 That is terrible. The whole thing is, we’re so vulnerable & at the mercy of the Drs. They often don’t understand the true feeling of the discomfits & symptoms . I’m grateful to have a compassionate dr. Who has realized I am seriously committed but also wary of the symptoms … thankfully I’ve done my research - this learning about why & how the natural GABA decreases - this is invaluable info. I’m sorry this happened to you. It’s wrong. You were made to feel that you were a problem & it was your fault - this is unfair & untrue.
Terrible doctor! I hope you reported her, you could have died! Thank God your'e okay, I almost did die. It was hell for mr. Maybe someday, I will be able to let people know what I went through. Some, I can't remember and my family wont tell me. It had to be really bad, for them not to tell me.
Benzo withdrawal was one of the worst experiences I've ever had. I was unsuccessful for years, until I tried CBD... CBD took away the miserable withdrawal symptoms and I was able to stop taking Clonazepam.
@@thehauntgr6051 I would have the odd binge here and there, doing 60-70-80mg, and that was on and off over the years. But, then I basically started throwing them down my throat by the handful for about two years solid, and that was usually two strips (so 14) of yellow 5mg, then another 2, and I'd do that for a few days. Plus, I had a full scale heroin addiction at the time too. I was impossible to be around. I'd be aggressive, I'd lose stuff, I'd have accidents, fall over, walk into things, I was nearly hit by a bus twice, fell down a flight of stairs, that kind of thing. I cut down to 50mg a day before doing a controlled 6 week detox and that was it. I was a nervous wreck after I stopped the detox and I've never really recovered...not properly.
I wasn't aware that a person could even experience dangerous withdrawals from these medications. I was visiting my aunt and ran out of Xanax. I was due to return home in about 4 days so I didn't worry about going without for a few days. I had been prescribed Xanax for anxiety and panic attacks about 7 years prior. Anyway, after the second day of not taking any medicine, I was sitting on the couch and talking to my aunt. She told me that it looked like my eyes rolled back in my head, I fell forward and started seizing. She was terrified and called 911. I came to, and I remember shoving my aunt away from me. I was confused, and didn't know where I was, or who she was. At the hospital, the doctor asked me what medications I was on and if I had stopped taking anything recently, and I was also asked about alcohol use. These days I no longer take any benzodiazipines. I use a number of Mindfulness techniques to better manage my symptoms of anxiety, and its been years since I have had a panic attack. Thank you for making this video. I'm sure there are people taking this medication that are unaware of what can happen by abruptly stopping it, like I did.
Did you just stay off of them at that point ? Or did you go back on and taper. There is currently a shortage of ativan where I live, no pharmacies have them. I'm on day four and scared. I don't know when I am out of danger window for possible seizure. That scares me the most. I'm very uncomfortable..lots of anxiety, severe Insominia, nauseous, no appetite and bowel issues. All of them except for insomnia are better tonight than last night. Mine comes in waves. At least u don't remember having it. That's kinda a blessing. Imagine knowing what was happening the whole time?
@@JD-mw9ul I learned Mindfulness techniques while I was in treatment. I was so impressed with how well these techniques managed my depression and anxiety, I decided to create my own exercises and workbooks for people struggling with similar issues. You should check them out. They are a lifesaver!
Woah. This is such an amazing and ACURATE video. Thanks for sharing the facts. I feel so validated, I went through a benzo withdrawal and had both withdrawl seizures and withdrawl psychosis. I felt like the psychosis was my fault because I wasn't disciplined enough to just get through it. Thanks for sharing the info about withdrawls!! You present it so well. Scientific, clear and yet full of care and love ❤️ Video idea! Venlafaxine withdrawl I have also experienced this in a severe way and I think it would help a lot of people who decide to come off or switch meds to hear you discuss the facts😊
Gosh, I hope others did not try to insinuate that you having withdrawal psychosis was somehow your fault or some kind of sign of your will power. That’s our brain being totally imbalanced with too many excitatory signals in withdrawal. So glad that is behind you. And yes…. Ouch…. Venlafaxine withdrawal is nasty. Venlafaxine and Paroxetine in my experience are the toughest to get off of relative to the other antidepressants, there’s a timing relationship; the faster the levels drop the rougher the withdrawal typically; where ones like Fluoxetine, although withdrawals can still happen, definitely lower acuity for most people as it takes 4-5 weeks to self-taper out of your body vs a few days like the one you took.
In Australia, it is almost impossible to have benzodiazepine prescribed. At least to young people. There are still legacy people in their 80s that have been on them for 20+ years, but unless you are at risk of sever alcohol withdrawals, doctors refuse them. There is really no point getting people addicted to something that does nothing to treat the underlying issue, unless you want to make lots of money... oh wait...
I don’t believe that. Dementia is not caused by benzodiazepines. I have a grandma with Alzheimer’s and she’s never taken a benzo, my mom takes Valium and if anything, it slows her down. Bentos do not eat our memories
I was put on benzos at 15 and now 13 years later after quitting drinking, fentanyl, cigarettes, I still have not been able to go through the full withdrawal process and still take 2mg a day of clonazepam. Thank you for the education
I did withdraw from Dr prescribed clonopin cold Turkey. I was under Dr’s care when going off them. Pure hell and zero sleep for 2 weeks. Sweats, shakes, diarrhea & bad coordination. It took along time to get back to function normally.
The Ashton Manual is a wonderful guide to use to get off of benzodiazepines. It can take 6 months to a year...to come off successfully. It's a long process.
@@jrman413 I'm doing well. I did a 3 month taper from .25 mg. My dose fluctuated between .25 and 1mg during the years I was on it. It was pretty smooth compared to other times I tried to quit. Listening to your body and going at your own rate is the key to getting off this. Don't set a timeline and just take it day by day. I was shaving little pieces off using a scale, so it made it a lot easier to deal with withdrawals.
Im almost two months clean from Xanax alcohol cocaine weed and opioids and it’s hell it doesn’t get any better it feels like idk what to do I’m going insane
Everyone of my doctors thinks im bsin cause (im 54 days off Klonopin) they think i should of been fine after 2 weeks lol ridiculous i still feel like im in acute .. pvcs,pots,hbp,severe anxiety,intrusive thoughts,nausea,gi issues and so much more smh
two weeks is the time when the drug has left your body. It takes 6-18 months for the gaba receptors to upload in your brain. The acute phase of withdrawal is 6-8 weeks and it is hell, I've been there. I joined Benzo Warriors on youtube, a community with the research, knowledge you need to navigate this journey. I hope you did a very slow, long taper plan and not ceased this drug within a couple of months...
Thank you for being so honoust, as many Docters are not. The withdrawal of benzodines was littially 20 times harder, than to stop with alcohol, as a result to calm from years of extreme side effects psychofarmaseuticals, The psychofarmacals and the extreme side effects completely destroyed my life, from childhood on.
I was put on Benzodiazepines way back when I was a teen. Now I am in my 70s. But I will say it did wonders for me. I had, and still have some issues with bad obsessive compulsive disorder, slight Torettes, and horrible anxiety, Back when I was a teen, it helped a lot getting through school. I still take a small amount at bedtime to help me sleep, .5 mg. In the past I was put on as high as 2 mg. Getting off altogether does create a lot of anxiety, and slowly I'm trying to cut it out all together. Had it not been for Valium back then, I doubt I would have even gotten through school, and been able to work. People, doctors, and the government, are too hasty, to condemn certain drugs that actually do good. Sure you can get addicted to lots of different medications, but for me it's been a blessing.
I stopped cold turkey after being on klonopin for years multiple times daily. I know now how dangerous that was. The withdrawal was absolutely awful. I refuse to take these type of meds anymore. Ever. I am on Zoloft at the lowest dose. But benzos, no way.
I really don't understand why any REAL doctor would tell anyone that benzos aren't highly addictive! As ever doctor, nurse, smart person would know! When I was prescribed 2mg xanax 30 years, that's the first the doctor told me, be careful and only use them, when really needed. They helped so much, It was wonderful. Until I decided to quit., should have tapered off with my doctor because some days were so bad, I'd take the 2 mg. I had been down to 1mg for 3 weeks, then was going down to 0.5. I just couldn't do it myself. Anyway, 30 years ago everybody knew mothers little helpers and the others were super addictive!
I've been prescribed Xanax for about 5 years now. I am taking them every 6 hours without fail now. I honestly don't know if my body is just requiring them around the clock to get back to baseline... It's honestly terrible.
you are dependent...you need a slow , long taper and expert guidance. Join a support group like Benzo Warriors on facebook. these people educated me on all thing benzo related and saved my life...
You have NO IDEA how bad this can get ……im 7.5 years out and can’t function , got into pharma injury group and get the real stories , it’s not crappy sir …..your body becomes a human torture chamber . Facility ?? You’re crazy …..ITS TOOOOOOO FAST
We have to treat all of our patients and those under our counsel with a balanced approach: physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual health are all crucial. God Bless in all your work and thank you for what you do for others. I hope that you find moments of peace and rejuvenation when the opportunities arise, so that you can continue your work with a full tank of energy and a full heart.
I was on nitrazepam years ago for a legitimate medical reason and grew dependant on it. Man, when I went cold turkey the first time I had a seizure, body aches basically felt like death warmed up. Eventually a year or so later I gradually reduced the dosage and got off them. NEVER again! I am so glad I am off them.
I am sorry to say, but some people DO NOT recover. I am 2years off, and still feel like mentally impaired person, but thats not all. 2 years ago i went to rehab and met a guy who was 11 YEARS off and he was still not working and barely functioning in life. We amde friends and speak with each other from time to time. Believe me - currently he's 13 years off, and there are times when he calls me middle of the night, having panic attacks, screaming for someone to hold his hand. I am also shit. Although I do go to work and n No one there realises the nightmare taking place inside me, but i am a wreck. Can bzrel3y read, write, handle basic tasks. There are days when cant make myself sandwich. Its terrible , and sorry, but there is no recovery for me....😢😢😢😢
You sound like a great doctor (psychiatrist I assume). Like you say, benzodiazepines are effective medications if taken sparingly but unfortunately they can be “too effective” for some. I’m tapering off of clonazepam after about 17 years of daily use. I’m down to 1.75mg daily from 4mg back in 2021 when I started decreasing and it’s becoming more difficult as I get lower. The mild symptoms you describe are exactly what I experience before my pills in the evening. I also used to drink heavily when I was younger, and I strongly feel that alcohol abusers are at much higher risk of abusing benzodiazepines (and opioids for that matter - I’ve been on a methadone maintenance program for over 15 years but that’s another story). You remind me a little bit of my doctor/psychiatrist!)
I agree for sure about your comment on that cross over between alcohol abuse and benzodiazepine abuse. I know I’m over simplifying it a bit, but our brains, to some degree almost interpret taking a benzodiazepine and a drink, in very similar ways. Both affect the GABA receptors and have similar reinforcing effects. And both could trigger a relapse/cravings for the other. I’m glad a lot of what you described seems to be behind you. Even though we don’t know each other, I really hope for much peace in the times ahead of you. Sounds like you have been through enough personal wars already.
@@AndrewKimMD interesting. i was put on Valium for a few months in 2015, i found the effect horrendous, i hated it. when i stopped taking it i craved alcohol for a couple of weeks, and i barely drink. i might have a drink or 2 every few months, tops. you just explained what happened.
A good professional advice from dr Kim. I am a senior citizen with a very long history of taking 0.5 mg xanax daily which now I have reduced it to 0.25 mg. Can I take it indefinitely and what could be it's effect on memory impairment and maintaing balane as I age..
It would be grateful if you can make a video about the Dissociative Disorder in the future. I have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder like 2 years ago. But, seems like those psychiatrists don't really even know much about it and there is only a tiny bit information about this disorder neither on the books nor the internet. i have been diagnosed as I found that I was in a mysterious places or even an amusement park every time I suddenly became conscious again on my way to work.The psychiatrist just said that it's caused by stress and the body psychological defense system has been activated. I am looking forward to this video. Thx!
Ok, will add it to my to do list. Dissociative Disorder is an interesting and fascinating phenomenon; very distressing for patients. A lot of our society and even clinicians often think patients are doing things “on purpose” or “for attention” which is not the case. In a sense, you can think of dissociation as an unconscious process that is a primal defense mechanism, when our mind/body is desperate to protect ourself from intense psychological or physical pain; which is way textbooks for psych 101 will discuss things like “depersonalization” and out of body experiences during traumas like assault. There are many forms of dissociation ranging from “blacking out” while awake, having your 5 senses and sense of time distorted, and having derealization or depersonalization. Very interesting stuff
@@AndrewKimMDhow do you know its not attention seeking behavior? Psychiatrists are pretty united in that it's not a real thing... if we are talking about what was called mpd...
Been prescribed them twice in my lifetime and they were great. Thankfully my doc won't prescribe them to me anymore because I know I would get hooked on them if I could get them easily.
I've been on Klonopin for 31 years for dilapadating panic and anxiety attacks, it was horrible, I lost my nursing job and have not worked since, I was on 8 mg for years then 6 mg and I got myself down to 3 mg for years and I'm on 1 year and am still on them now , they've tryed to get me off of them for a long time ,but I can't so Dr said I'll have to be on them for the rest of my life!!! The benzo withdrawal is horrible!!! I am 71 years old now, and even if I run out 2 Days without them ,I get crazy! numb lips, hands just all the stuff you get!!! R
Klonopin is the worst benzo. I joined Benzo warriors support group on facebook. A switch to a longer lasting benzo and then a water taper is what many people have to do to finally free themselves from this poisonous drug. 1mg of Klonopin is still a high dosage when compared to Valium equates to (10mg). Took me 6 months to get off 5mg.
Fearful? Heck yes. I am dependent on 1 mg at night for sleep and starting to developed tolerance so therefor experiencing brain tremor, seizure, blurred vision, fatigue, weak and speaking legs, dizziness and falling. I don’t drink or smoke. I tried at home weaning with a psychiatrist and on the third day I work in the middle of the night with my brain shaking in my head and my heart beating very very fast. I was confused in a total panic. Yes I am terrified. I’m 57 and have been on this horrible drug for 5 years under Dr supervision. A 400 mg hydrocodone would have done the trick for sleep But noooooo. I was told no and given a. dangerous drug that causes brain injury. Iam not the same WillI ever be the same? I was a very active athletic healthy happy life. Ow I’m agoraphobic and can’t stand the sun. DO NOT EVER TAKE THESE DRUGS. See those people on the street delirious and messed up? Just maybe it’s not fentanyl maybe it’s benzos. F this sht and psychiatrists are the worst.
Please start taking taking magnesium glycinate 1050mg in the morning and magtein (magnesium L theronate) at night. I also eat magnesium rich foods like avocado and raw pumpkin seeds throughout the day.
on ambient and klonopin for almost 20 years...yes I'm dependent to say the least. I was told when first prescribed it was safe and no dependency issues. all that being said, I'm glad i'm on it. I don't drink or abuse drugs otherwise. its allowed me to function - btw I'm 57 years old if that matters
Doctors are being advised to take people off these drugs who have been on them for many years. Also, pharmacies are having difficulty in their supply. I was on a benzo for 10 years until I hit tolerance. ..they put me on a slow acting valium and also 3 anti-depressants...It took me many years to get off 4 psych drugs...This is the incompetence of Doctors stating that this drug is safe and does no harm. It is big news in the benzo world that this drug has harmed millions of people over decades...watch 'Mad in America' on youtube. There is a huge movement growing warning about these drugs , short term or long term - it does not matter as benzos are toxic
I learned from a pharmacist that when many drugs first come on the market they are not yet tested for all side effects. For example, when ambien first came out, I was told it was not addictive. Luckily, I soon learned it was highly addictive and quit immediately. It was considered “not addictive” at first because not enough studies on its addiction potential had yet been done.
Inpatient Detox clinic is a very bad idea. They will pull you off top quickly which can be deadly. I was suicidal both times doctors tried to detox me too fast. Your taper should be patient driven, slow and easy, never ever doctor driven and especially never at a detox facility. You can do this alone with the Ashton manual and a good tapering doctor who understands benzos.
Dr. Kim, I had been taking 15 mg of Temazepam for about 5 years and now are tapering off with 7.5 mg. Is there an even smaller dose than 7.5 to continue tapering? Initially I was prescribed Temazepam for insomnia. I am 77 years old, I don’t consume alcohol and my health is very good except for the sleep issue. Thank you
Hello im a 22 years old girl I need help seriously i been taking ativan everyday for a year to sleep due to panic disorder and abusive physical problems with my ex ive been trying tk cut my pill into halves then quarters i started 2nd day eithout it and i felt hot flashes and rhought i was paranoid i and my heart to 140 i dont have any more prescribed ativan ! Im scared to die really i was at the bathroom gloor having hot flashes and felt like i wasnt in the reality please god give me strength i want to get out of this please please i dont want to die if you read this mr andrew whats ur advice on this?
No one should ever go cold turkey off of benzos. You could have a seizure, but more than likely will leave yourself with brain damage in the long term. You need to taper very very slowly. The first thing to do is see a doctor and ask them to switch you to valium which is a much longer acting benzo and therefore easier to reduce. I tapered with valium 10 mg pill and used a little scale to cut ten percent every two weeks. Along with the taper I took a raw b supplement, a full spectrum amino acid and inositol. All of these help heal the brain. Ten percent is actually considered a pretty quick withdrawal schedule. Many do the water taper method which you can find here on UA-cam.
Even worse… I experienced Medicine Induced Catatonic State which completely made my Autonomic Nervous System dysfunctional, and should have been hospitalized, going cold turkey…. Back on them, but found a 3 month weaning cycle that will be commenced soon. Thanks for your insight.
I'm prescribed .5mg every day, once a day. I've never taken more than that in a day, and I've stayed at .5 mg for several years now and as a result, I can skip 2 or 3 days with no noticeable withdrawal.
Dr. Kim: Good info (been there as well). NEW ONE: I'm 8yrs sober (from alcohol ... never did anything else). In attempting to get off of it, long ago, someone put me on, at first: Valium and I was on that a LONG time. When a subsequent doctor saw how long I was on it, they rushed to get me off (and, yes, it presented me withdrawal problems, but that story isn't relevant for this posting). They substituted some kind of prescribed antihistamine. I took it for a while, but never felt it helped much. And it was a bit expensive for me. So, I thought: Well, if this is just antihistamine, why not just take Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL ~ 50mg - 2 pills). I initially took it during the day - but then stopped and only took it to fall asleep. I have major issues in this area. And now, I've been taking ~ 50mg of Benadryl nearly nightly ... for around 7 or 8 years. THOUGHTS?
You're self-medicating because the substances you use blunt your emotions. Without them, you'd feel the full force of your emotions. For me, the answer has been to go for therapy and learn ways to regulate my emotions and manage stress and anxiety. DBT or CBT therapy are great for giving you the tools you need to cope without sedating your emotions😊
People say they are fine but if the people around them knew what to look for they would realize the mood swings, and complaints are due to the drugs. But they're not DRUGS because a doctor gave it to them. NAC has show a huge improvement in my aunt on her Fluoxitine & Bupoprion. Now add in diazepam for sleep and she's become really crazy at times! Mean sometimes. Diarrhea ALL THE TIME! Anxiety, agitation, brain fog.
i have been take 2ml of alprazolam every night for about a year and half. I was getting them off the streets so I'm about to stop. The whole reason i used them it would put me to sleep. I talk them about 10pm and wake up at 530am then go to work. I still have some what is the best way to ween off them.
Benzos are nothing to play with the crippling withdrawals the eleveated anxieties come back ten fold the agitation tension with sickness hot and cold! the constant feeling of a electric current running through you or being prodded with a cattle prod! insomnia tingling cramping sensations emotions up and down confusion things that were easy before are difficult you have to wait for youre brain to re wire itself and stabalize youre mood from the months or years of abuse and you feel a hopeless feeling! seizures aswell in some cases so ask yourself if youre not taking them why not ?😊
Benzodiazepine withdrawal has ruined my life for the past four years. Detoxing in a facility is absolutely the worst advice you can give. Patients need to be titrated off slowly via the Ashton protocol while on a seizure med. It can be done but it is extremely tough and will change your life for a few years.
Benzo support groups are always advising people to not go to a detox facility. It is by far the worst case scenario and will cause more problems and you pay a lot of money too. Unfortunately, most Doctors do not know how to safely titrate over12+ months and have never heard of the Ashton Manual.
Detox is the wrong answer. Can take 6 months to 2 years to taper off. I see the doctors video is 7 years old and needs to be brought up to date. He is correct about the GABA being depleted and can take years for the central nervous system to readjust and to calm down. Dr. Aston method is the only way to go.
My mother is severely dependent with klonipin she tried to stop taking them for 8 months 🙄 but fell right back to her addiction she's also mixing norco as well. I finally made the decision to distant myself from her due to the toxic situation it's just so sad.
That’s a dangerous scenario and very tragic. For what it’s worth I just said a prayer for you and your mother. I hope you can find the healthy boundaries that make the most sense for you, for this chapter of your life. And remember, having boundaries doesn’t mean that you don’t love or care for someone. If you haven’t yet, maybe check your local NAMI or even al-anon.org/ to see if there any online or local support groups for loved ones affected by those with addiction. Or if you haven’t considered it yet, finding a 1:1 counselor to help support you. I hope your mother can find and hold onto some motivation in the future to make some healthy changes.
Just when she needed your support and encouragement. Your mother has a DISEASE! Abandoning, rejecting and betrayal of your mother is cruel and selfish.
@@ericblair54 i been giving all of myself to her since the age of 7/8 raising her kids she took sm from me just so she can be selfish herself I'm a single mother with two small kids just when I need her shes still with her selfish ways not wantinf to change. My kids actually need me more and i will no longer jeopardize my mental health for her anymore.
@@isauravalencia9562 You reason perfectly right. To set boundaries are good! You have to think about yourself and your kids first hand! I wish you the best of luck!👍
@@elisaacello4821 I have to say though, in a previous life I had some experience with these types of drugs and when you're in the midst of withdrawals and you happen to get hold of some more - it truly is a godly sensation. So dangerous.
I had an extreme addiction to Xanax and other benzos. You absofuckinglutely withdrawal from benzos. It’s miserably horrible. I don’t wish that on anyone. It’s worse than adderall, alcohol, and heroine. Luckily I have been free of all of them for a decade.
Yes, agree. Took as directed for 28 years, 6 months. Learned of danger of dementia, told doc I wanted to stop (Klonopin 1.5 to 2 mg). She said, Okay you can stop. She didnt mention anything about taper so I stopped cold turkey. Nearly died. Don't cold turkey this drug. I'm 29 months out now, and I'm getting better than I was for first 5 months but I'm like a different person. No sense of humor anymore. Get angry very easily. Still have poor sleep and panic. Hypersensitive to all senses. I wish I'd never taken them or at least was tapered off, not cold turkey.
Notice the withdrawals are similar to alcohol? If you are looking to remove these from your life the key is restoring your body's natural levels of GABA & Glutamate. Consuming alcohol will disrupt the balancing of these so its important to stay away from alcohol during recovery. Lots of good general basic info here. I would also reiterate that these were not designed for extended periods of use. These were designed to be taken for a very short term ( 2 weeks ) to be followed by intensive CBT. These are a blessing for only a short time and should be used to help ground you so you can put a CBT plan together to get you through whatever youre going through. If you can, avoid these. Even if youre just using them for sleep. Eventually you will have interdose withdrawal and your sleep will suffer immensely. If you want to see the nightmare that awaits you should "dependency" kick in, try checking out the "ashton manual" You may be looking for benzos for the right reasons but you may suffer uncalculable repercussions.
I have been physiologically dependent on clonozepam for over a decade and it’s ruined my brain. I just downloaded the manual. Thank you so much for the resource. 💛
The FDA needs to push doctors and pharmacists to disclose that every single medication under the sun has negative effects whether it's general malaise, or dependence, or full on addiction. Even something as relatively innocuous as Ibuprofen is, comparatively to harder drugs, it can cause discomfort after you stop taking it regularly. It's not that difficult to just succinctly say to your patient that there's a level of dependence you can develop while taking a medication and you may experience discomfort after finishing the prescription, and direct them to ask their pharmacist for more information. Nothing is more frustrating than telling a doctor that you don't want to take a medication, because you experienced withdrawals from it and they lecture you that it isn't addictive. Addictiveness labeled by the FDA is so stringent on there being a high, or some recreational use to it. Dependence doesn't even seem to be a factor in for some doctors, and some seem to ignore it just because they get paid for prescribing you medication. They have a vested interest in you being unhealthy, so they can sell you the cure. Plus patients aren't researchers. If a patient is feeling pain after ceasing the drug, you might just infer that the drug was preventing that pain rather than it being the cause for it, which makes you feel like you need to continue taking it. All these nuances to withdrawals and dependence aren't studied enough during the drug testing period, and it seems like the patients in the trials are as far in the dark as we are. The doctors prescribing it aren't usually taking these drugs either, so they don't have the first hand insight as to what to expect beyond just what the studies and documents say. I would have never expected at age 18 that my doctor, the arbiter of good health, would precribe me something similar to heroin. When you hear "pain medication" you think of pain relief like Tylenol or Advil. You don't think of drugs that people get addicted to or locked up for.
Just a quick question. Why didn't your docror taper you down, till your body didn't need it any longer? I was on morphine for years. My surgeon told me, I have to be off of ir, for my surgery. It took a month, no bad feelings, nor any cravings. And I never went back.
Me too.. grand mal after xanax.. went cold turkey after 2-4 mg for 4 yrs.. 5 days in I got a grand mal and was sent to hospital that gave me absenor 300mgx3 for 1 month and oxazepam 5mg 25pcs to taper on.
You wanna know what it looks like without a doctors opinion just go on the stuff I’ll give you a month on it and then come off of it. You tell me what it’s all about because until you go through it you don’t know it is pure. hell hell is a nice word for it?
MS survivor here, 1 year into oral prednisone and 6 months tapering period. One of many side effects of prednisone is insomnia, i was also into pregabalin for so long, during this period i was in and out of the ER, sometimes admitted due to pain or insomia. My doctor decided to prescribed clonazepam 0.25mg. This was in 2012..im. still taking clonazepam and it helped me to manage insomnia.
Im trying to get off of Clonazapam im doen to a half in the morning but that took three months im trying to get doen to a half at night my doctor told me to go to a half at night but im doing the same at night just cutting my night pill with only a guarter off at night and keeping a scheldule for a month
I think it would only do that if u are addicted to benzo... its like opiate antagonists like narcan... if ur not addicted it won't do anything to you even though it totally blocks opioid receptors. But if ur addicted u will go into full blown cold turkey! Then u have antagonist/agonist like buprenorphine.. if u are not addicted it will get u high, but if u are addicted it will get u incredibly sick!
Used them mfers and though to myself "eh won't happen to me!". Until I woke up in an ambulance having suffered multiple seizures. And that's after approx 3 months of daily use. This ain't no joke. Worst thing I had to go through. Seconds felt like hours.
I can tell u this I wasn’t going to comment but I am one of the old drug attics that got clean before the carfetinol and fentanyl hit ……after 9/11 happened and now COVID life is so much different I couldn’t t imagine sticking a needle in my arm and yes the urge to use and get high does go away even if your still miserable in recovery…abstinence is key I am so happy I have my life back it was close but once forget whereu came from is when we relapse
You’re right. So weird. We should also only allow doctors who have had heart attacks treat patients with heart problems. And only allow doctors who have had lung transplants perform lung transplant surgeries. Forget the 12 years of working in detox settings, inpatient and outpatient settings.
True..... But no, the doctors that actually have been thru substance abuse, especially benzo abuse, really do give better accounts of these situations. maybe speaking thru experience.... What I dont like seeing is even though benzos have never been first line in the treatment of GAD or PAD, I think its terrible that providers are trying to cut back drastically on its use for these conditions, citing its abuse and withdrawals. Benzos act on the same receptor as alcohol, so using them chronically or abusing them will show similar signs and symptoms. I think changing the prescribing habits of these medications by overemphasizing the risks of these would be terrible for the people who do have these mental and behavioral health conditions. I've seen people who have successfully used them for periods of time and stopped using them, only for them to have another episode where providers try to manage it with ssri or snri, and are really reluctant of ever starting them back on benzos just because of their fears of addiction. It's a beach having frequent panic attacks and relying on antidepressants for help. Either that or they sedate them and make them useless during the day with trazodone or seroquel. Therefore, I'm in support of benzos for these conditions. It's better than letting someone go to alcohol to manage their symptoms or marijuana. And shoot, 55 to 94% of patients end up being managed on benzos from these conditions, unless they have a really bad substance abuse issue. That's why I don't see why doctors are critical and focus on the withdrawals and share only the negative aspects of these drugs. It doesn't make sense. they'll give them every other drug that's not a controlled substance without caring about the side effects, but imo I think they are even worse. Suicidal ideation as a black box warning for antidepressants, propranolol and pindolol are terrible, and you can't just stop those immediately either. It feels like many are using the aide effects and abuse potential of benzos as a reason to stop prescribing them as much, and its hard for several to cosign that. It's comparable to alcohol,
Benzos have very little if any benefit for most people. A simple change in diet would have far more benefits. No one needs to go on them. Some people will develop dependence within days or weeks. These things can affect every part of your body. This is absolutely not an addiction. It's almost the opposite of addiction. Because coming off of them is what destroys your life. When you're on them, you're not high. You're just normal. And we don't know how long withdrawal will last. For most, it's years. Some less, many seem to never recover fully.
Doc- I was told from 3 places, 2 of them inpatient woulnt take me because they said Ive been on way too man pills opiates & benzos fo to long. I tried to do it on my own & ended up in the ER with a min & 1/2 seizire. Rehabs are only 10 days. A joke. They have nurses giving out the same meds as people that were there for something a totally different they were on. Scary. 20 over 20 yrs of benzos & opiates....they'res really no hope, im 48 & these pills took MY entire life.
3.43... lethal withdrawal.... is a real thing. Taper down doses. Slowly. And tell a friend. Cuz the side effects of the Rx is bad, and attempting to get off, is very bad side effects potentially. Getting off will give you clarity and your life back. Worth it. Consider supplements like l-,theanine or valerian root as calming in lieu of Rx. Learn other coping skills for stress and fear. Eliminate or reduce abusers from your life. Etc.
DEFINITELY tolerance developed in my nightly Xanax “for sleep” reasonably quickly. I went from blissfully sleeping like a baby the first few weeks, to middle of the night wake-ups. These drugs REALLY work for short term use. The dangers come in long term use
@@4GSLmusic correct. You can become physically dependent on benzodiazepines, without having an addiction. Not the same thing. And technically, one can be addicted to a substance without necessarily being physically dependent on it as well. Both can happen at the same time; but independent scenarios as you correctly stated.
@@AndrewKimMD nice! I would assume it depends on someone’s brain and metabolic breakdown .. when looking into withdrawal. This would suggest dependency it someone’s addicted and experiences withdrawal to whatever degree. Correct? This would show tolerance and dependency. Whereas some can Be addicted, stop drug and not experience withdrawal severely. This is what I’m understanding from this. Thanks for your insight! People assume because I have withdrawal because I’ve taken a benzo for seven years and am microtapering that I must be addicted. I haven’t had one single craving. But the brain has adapted and looks for upregulation of gaba a receptors. Gaba flowing back in. Drs have told me it’s not addiction but I feel counselors and lay people typically don’t understand the difference and use the two interchangeably. And it’s inappropriate use of the words. It can cause a patient to feel ashamed. I have to taper off because of iatrogenesis and years of mistreatment from the wrong drs. I have a good one now! Almost fully off everything! And life is so much better and I’m more myself than in the last 7 years! Prescribers must be so so careful in how the prescribe and diagnose. We can really ruin peoples lives if we don’t take caution. Take care!
They are not taught in this at med school. Ask the big pharma companies why they did not inform Doctors that these drugs are dangerous....money and greed is behind all our suffering. Great films on netflix - as prescribed, take your pills - loads telling the withdrawal horror stories and still , today, people are being cold turkeyed by doctors.
I just found your channel. I appreciate you and your knowledge. I’m 62 and was prescribed Klonopin 30 years ago after being diagnosed with MS. I took 1mg. As prescribed each night. Here’s the kicker…2 years ago I changed neurologist and was told I did NOT have MS! All these flare ups I have been having were due to being intolerant to the Klonopin. Just typing this makes me so angry. I have just finished a 14 month taper off. I look back now and realize after my own research that it was in fact the medication causing the depression, anxiety, panic, etc. I did not have any of these symptoms before I started the Klonopin. So now, I’m trying to get my life back after being sick and intolerant after 30 years thinking it was MS. I would like to add, I feel robbed of more than half my life. If it wasn’t for the grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior I couldn’t have successfully tapered off. I now pray for healing not just for myself but everyone that has been affected by these drugs. Thank you for this video and may God richly bless you.
What type of taper did you and how did you taper?
Glad ur trying but u prolly took benzos to help anxiety and they help but after a while it destroys gaba reception and it can take year or two to feel better
@@scottjohnson2401 no, not prescribed for anxiety. Never had a problem with anxiety unti I became tolerant to it. I understand all too well about the Gaba receptors as I’ve educated myself and done tons of research. It’s a shame what these meds do to our bodies and minds. The healing after a safe taper is a journey in itself. Time and perseverance are what it takes.
I'd be trying to sue everyone 😂
I’m tapering off clonazepam (called klonopan in U.S.) - .05mg p/day .. for close to 35 yrs. now 😮 I was diagnosed w/ mood disorder - started on it & then 600mg of lithium p/day … spent my life learning, healing & growing. All this time, now that I’ve DEALT with my dysfunctional/ trauma childhood & early adulthood … turns out I didn’t have a mood disorder, I was just trying to cope with a LOT of life shit.
I WILL say, the clonazepam & lithium MAY have helped me as I persevered & did the ‘work’ throughout my life - took 2 decades for me to finally feel peace. Two decades to learn to set healthy boundaries w/ family & HOLD them. As I have, family has done a 180* .. they see & know they can’t manipulate me anymore in THEIR insecurities… because if that relationships are mended, should have been healed. It’s a beautiful thing.
That said … most don’t do this deep healing work.
All at my current Drs. suggestion & unwavering support I’ve been off the lithium for 6yrs., I’ve SLOWLY (like 18 mos.) tapered from .05mg to .25mg. After a break while going through a lot - moving my Mom to long term care & getting her settled etc …- I’m NOW working on tapering down & OFF.
I’m giving myself another year to 18 mos.
I have a digital scale that weighs to .ooo, so I can accurately weigh from weight of pill (.08g) all the way down to .01g ! I’m going down in .01 increments & taking at least 2 mos. For each. My goal is to live as normal/ happy as possible life as possible while I taper.
I bought empty gel capsules online & weigh out my cut pills (now at .07g) for a few weeks at a time, putting the correct amt. in each gel capsule. (I don’t crush, but some do I apparently) So far, after a month now, I’ve only had a couple of times of feeling resistance/uncomfortable/headache or whatever … I have a cup of herbal tea, have a bath. & ask my husband to be gentle .. ❤
I’m grateful for this opportunity & this journey to FINALLY take total control of my life
I withdrew from opiates, alcohol, and benzodiazepines all at the same time at a detox center in 2019. It was literally hell on earth.
How are you now
All 3 at once? Damn. I hope you’re in a better spot now and hopefully don’t have to do that again.
I’m surprised you are alive!!😮
How long did it take for you to recover?
@@jrman413 by day 30 I was feeling better but by day 90 I was feeling like a new normal person
Benzo withdrawal is pure torture for many including myself. It helped in the beginning, but after 20+ years and being abruptly taken off, it is hell.
Why were you taken off abruptly? That's incredibly dangerous.
@@jane-cn6nd the doctor prescribing them dropped me as a patient and my new PCP wouldn’t prescribe them. I wanted off of them so I just tapered my last script. I didn’t know how serious withdrawal was at the time. I quickly couldn’t walk and had no way to get to a doctor. I thought I could just push through it but that’s when I realized I’m in for a lengthy painful recovery period.
@@michaeljlink Damn, I'm sorry, you really shouldn't have had to go through that. It sounds terrifying.
Whom ever prescribed you them for 20 years was being is guilty of malpractise. It's far worse than heroin. Withdrawals can last up to a year.
If you can try smoking indica cannabis it helps with intense withdrawal symptoms. No smoking hybrid or sativa they cause anxiety. Indica is meant for sleeping and relaxing. I would get flower over vape and also indica edible brownie in a high dose can help. I would get a medical weed card.
I am going through it right now. I took 12 mg Lorazepam every day for 5 years. I started tarpering off july 2023 . Oct 31. i took my last pill. Now after nearly 7 months i believe seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I had (and have) every withdrawelsymptom except Deliriium and grand mal seizures. I have done everything on my own and at home. It is hell on earth. But now i can see my personalty and my emotions coming back. Most of the time i believe i will be normal again. I am sorry for my bad languageskills, i am not a native speaker.
12mg a day???? How'd you get that much?
In 1992 I was hospitalized and diagnosed with severe panic disorder and agoraphobia, I was prescribed xanax. Fast forward a few years and my doctor was prescribing 6mgs a day. In 2014 I began to very slowly lower my daily dose because I knew doctors were learning about long-term effects and hesitating to prescribe benzos especially in such high doses. I feel very fortunate that by the time I had to come off of xanax completely, I'd already started the process on my own. After nearly 28 years, I really didn't suffer from withdrawal except for the odd brain zaps that eventually went away.
Intense physical exrcise helped me. And I have a strong social support system.
We're u doing meth or cocaine b honest
I know exactly what you mean by brain zaps
Than you were extreme Lucky
@freddumee I should also recommend going to a Dr. Explain your situation and he/she will probably subscribe gabapentin at an initial high dose the slowly get it down to about 100mg-500mg.
Xanax withdrawal was hell. I took the lowest dose for 4 months and built a tolerance. My doctor said I could either increase the dose or frequency, or stop taking it completely. I didn't want to do the dance of increasing the dose every so often so I decided to come off of it. I heard coming off of 0.25mg would be nothing. WRONG. It was a week of hell followed by 2 more less but still tough weeks. I'm glad I persevered though and am doing much better 2 and a half months later.
There are 100s of symptoms. The supervised detox is still abruptly stopping the patient and shouldn’t be done. I never abused my doctors abruptly stopped me once the warning went on the box in 2020. Now I’ve been suffering for over 6 years. I lost everything my mind body function family home pets my soul. Now I’ve got anhedonia bad and can’t get my brain to work right. This all started in 2010 when prescribed lexapro and clonopazam for insomnia 12 years I took the medication as prescribed.
Try smoking medical weed. Indica strain is meant for relaxing the nervous system. If you live a state that permits weed try getting a medical card. Medical weed is strong and can help with withdrawal symptoms.
Detox ruined my life.
You typing this 3 months ago, really shows how strong and far you’ve came. I’m currently tapering off benzos, it’s not easy but you’re strength is second to none and I gain more hope and faith. Nothing but the best my friend!
Holy shit… this is insane! I’ve read so many comments talking about getting prescriptions taken away abruptly due to changing doctors or ignorant doctors cutting everyone off since it’s addictive. That is so evil I can’t put my frustration into words. I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Stay strong and healthy. See a therapist. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and when you break out you’ll have done something 99.9999% of people couldn’t do. You’re incredibly strong mentally.
One more thing... I'm NOT afraid of anything or anyone... We all breathe the same air. But this Benzo life... I'm terrified, absolutely scared to death!
I am too. My doctor is weening me off klonopin and the rebound is torture
Dr. Kim, after almost 29 years of nightly benzos (and Flexeril) i learned how bad they are for your brain, asked my doctor if i could stop. She simply said, "okay, stop." I went into a hellish many months long of horrible debilitating withdrawal, by myself in my apartment (retired senior). I tried to reach her and she wouldn't answer, then finally got a text saying to call for appt. No way could i have driven to office or sat quietly or still in waiting room. Wanted to go to ER, was afraid they would give me benzos and I'd have to start all over again, and couldnt drive to get there anyway.
Nearly six months later, i was able to drive to my doctor's office, tried to discuss withdrawal with her; she just rolled her eyes and changed the subject. Seemed to think i was lying or exaggerating. I saw her once more the following week for lab results, tried to speak about it again, she again rolled her eyes and changed subject. Never saw her again.
Ugh. I am so sorry that this was your experience in healthcare. I’m just astonished how there is still a knowledge gap amongst many medical clinicians to this day about the potential dangers of withdrawal from benzodiazepines
She should lose her license.
OMG 😱 That is terrible. The whole thing is, we’re so vulnerable & at the mercy of the Drs. They often don’t understand the true feeling of the discomfits & symptoms
. I’m grateful to have a compassionate dr. Who has realized I am seriously committed but also wary of the symptoms … thankfully I’ve done my research - this learning about why & how the natural GABA decreases - this is invaluable info.
I’m sorry this happened to you. It’s wrong. You were made to feel that you were a problem & it was your fault - this is unfair & untrue.
Change doctors
Terrible doctor! I hope you reported her, you could have died! Thank God your'e okay, I almost did die. It was hell for mr. Maybe someday, I will be able to let people know what I went through. Some, I can't remember and my family wont tell me. It had to be really bad, for them not to tell me.
We will get through this its the dizziness for me sucks
Benzo withdrawal was one of the worst experiences I've ever had. I was unsuccessful for years, until I tried CBD... CBD took away the miserable withdrawal symptoms and I was able to stop taking Clonazepam.
How much CBD were you taking ? I have CBD SPRAY. But nothing works
Idk why people lie like this CBD isn't gonna do anything
@BLUEGENE13 I'm not a liar, it worked for me. I'm just telling my experience. It doesn't matter to me what you think.
@@uNoWho2222 stop lying
@@BLUEGENE13 hahaha, you're a joke
Excellent video. Thanks as always Dr. Kim. Best!!
Thank you so much! I’m on the moderate withdrawal stage. Hopefully, it gets better and better everyday.
Believe me, the long term effects of benzo detox are awful.
I believe you. I'm in this s*it. 😠
@@mattlewski4605
I feel for you, I really do.
I suffered after I came off that shit.
@@thehauntgr6051
I would have the odd binge here and there, doing 60-70-80mg, and that was on and off over the years.
But, then I basically started throwing them down my throat by the handful for about two years solid, and that was usually two strips (so 14) of yellow 5mg, then another 2, and I'd do that for a few days.
Plus, I had a full scale heroin addiction at the time too.
I was impossible to be around.
I'd be aggressive, I'd lose stuff, I'd have accidents, fall over, walk into things, I was nearly hit by a bus twice, fell down a flight of stairs, that kind of thing.
I cut down to 50mg a day before doing a controlled 6 week detox and that was it.
I was a nervous wreck after I stopped the detox and I've never really recovered...not properly.
So you are basically screwed when your on them and screwed when your off them
@@fonzarellyplay370
Well, I'd rather be on them...but, in reality, it's down to how each individual copes
Severe withdrawal is horrible. I've been there....
I wasn't aware that a person could even experience dangerous withdrawals from these medications. I was visiting my aunt and ran out of Xanax. I was due to return home in about 4 days so I didn't worry about going without for a few days. I had been prescribed Xanax for anxiety and panic attacks about 7 years prior. Anyway, after the second day of not taking any medicine, I was sitting on the couch and talking to my aunt. She told me that it looked like my eyes rolled back in my head, I fell forward and started seizing. She was terrified and called 911. I came to, and I remember shoving my aunt away from me. I was confused, and didn't know where I was, or who she was. At the hospital, the doctor asked me what medications I was on and if I had stopped taking anything recently, and I was also asked about alcohol use. These days I no longer take any benzodiazipines. I use a number of Mindfulness techniques to better manage my symptoms of anxiety, and its been years since I have had a panic attack.
Thank you for making this video. I'm sure there are people taking this medication that are unaware of what can happen by abruptly stopping it, like I did.
Did you slow taper😊?
@@andersbunemann7169 no, I stopped abruptly because I was out of town and out of medication. That's why I had a seizure.
Did you just stay off of them at that point ? Or did you go back on and taper. There is currently a shortage of ativan where I live, no pharmacies have them. I'm on day four and scared. I don't know when I am out of danger window for possible seizure. That scares me the most. I'm very uncomfortable..lots of anxiety, severe Insominia, nauseous, no appetite and bowel issues. All of them except for insomnia are better tonight than last night. Mine comes in waves. At least u don't remember having it. That's kinda a blessing. Imagine knowing what was happening the whole time?
What mindfulness techniques?
@@JD-mw9ul I learned Mindfulness techniques while I was in treatment. I was so impressed with how well these techniques managed my depression and anxiety, I decided to create my own exercises and workbooks for people struggling with similar issues. You should check them out. They are a lifesaver!
Woah. This is such an amazing and ACURATE video. Thanks for sharing the facts. I feel so validated, I went through a benzo withdrawal and had both withdrawl seizures and withdrawl psychosis. I felt like the psychosis was my fault because I wasn't disciplined enough to just get through it. Thanks for sharing the info about withdrawls!! You present it so well. Scientific, clear and yet full of care and love ❤️
Video idea! Venlafaxine withdrawl
I have also experienced this in a severe way and I think it would help a lot of people who decide to come off or switch meds to hear you discuss the facts😊
Gosh, I hope others did not try to insinuate that you having withdrawal psychosis was somehow your fault or some kind of sign of your will power. That’s our brain being totally imbalanced with too many excitatory signals in withdrawal. So glad that is behind you. And yes…. Ouch…. Venlafaxine withdrawal is nasty. Venlafaxine and Paroxetine in my experience are the toughest to get off of relative to the other antidepressants, there’s a timing relationship; the faster the levels drop the rougher the withdrawal typically; where ones like Fluoxetine, although withdrawals can still happen, definitely lower acuity for most people as it takes 4-5 weeks to self-taper out of your body vs a few days like the one you took.
Yes, please make a video about Venlafaxine withdrawal 🙏
OMG...I did not need to hear this. I'm on Venlafaxine!
In Australia, it is almost impossible to have benzodiazepine prescribed. At least to young people. There are still legacy people in their 80s that have been on them for 20+ years, but unless you are at risk of sever alcohol withdrawals, doctors refuse them. There is really no point getting people addicted to something that does nothing to treat the underlying issue, unless you want to make lots of money... oh wait...
I wish they did that here 🇺🇸
It’s an anesthetic.
😡 😢
Guess you guys are immune to PTSD from being robbed at gunpoint
My mother took Valium for most of her life. Today I believe it’s what caused her dementia
So tragic. 😢
Sorry to hear that. 😢 May god strengthen you during this difficult time.
I don’t believe that. Dementia is not caused by benzodiazepines. I have a grandma with Alzheimer’s and she’s never taken a benzo, my mom takes Valium and if anything, it slows her down. Bentos do not eat our memories
Benzos do cause dementia.
Same with my mother. I believe long-term use of Valium may have been a cause for her dementia 😔
Thank you for telling the truth about these evil drugs.
YES TELLING THE TRUTH- WITHDRAWAL IS A NIGHTMARE! TRY NOT TO USE THEM
...
Imagine a world where Doctors just don’t care. They prescribe your demise. What a nightmare
Your explanation is extraordinarily clear and i've been researching benzo withdrawal for six months. Thankyouj
I was put on benzos at 15 and now 13 years later after quitting drinking, fentanyl, cigarettes, I still have not been able to go through the full withdrawal process and still take 2mg a day of clonazepam. Thank you for the education
very informative, especially the explanation of withdrawal affecting GABA and GLUTAMATE imbalance after withdrawing.
I did withdraw from Dr prescribed clonopin cold Turkey. I was under Dr’s care when going off them. Pure hell and zero sleep for 2 weeks. Sweats, shakes, diarrhea & bad coordination. It took along time to get back to function normally.
How long were you on them for and were you taking them daily?
Was on xanax for 40 years - I encourage everyone to get off benzos asap!!
I'd rather die then go through that again
Thankyou for the informative information 😊
This is the best explanation I have ever heard. Thank you.
The Ashton Manual is a wonderful guide to use to get off of benzodiazepines. It can take 6 months to a year...to come off successfully. It's a long process.
Successfully weened off of clonazepam. I was on it for 17 years. It wasn’t easy. Great accomplishment.
Not easy to do! Hope you are well! Thanks for sharing some hope for those who want to get off these safely.
We’re you on it everyday?
Congrats.....I just finished my taper two weeks ago after 23 years on clonazepam.
@@shanekunde7302 How are you now? How long did you taper?
@@jrman413 I'm doing well. I did a 3 month taper from .25 mg. My dose fluctuated between .25 and 1mg during the years I was on it. It was pretty smooth compared to other times I tried to quit. Listening to your body and going at your own rate is the key to getting off this. Don't set a timeline and just take it day by day. I was shaving little pieces off using a scale, so it made it a lot easier to deal with withdrawals.
Im almost two months clean from Xanax alcohol cocaine weed and opioids and it’s hell it doesn’t get any better it feels like idk what to do I’m going insane
Everyone of my doctors thinks im bsin cause (im 54 days off Klonopin) they think i should of been fine after 2 weeks lol ridiculous i still feel like im in acute .. pvcs,pots,hbp,severe anxiety,intrusive thoughts,nausea,gi issues and so much more smh
two weeks is the time when the drug has left your body. It takes 6-18 months for the gaba receptors to upload in your brain. The acute phase of withdrawal is 6-8 weeks and it is hell, I've been there. I joined Benzo Warriors on youtube, a community with the research, knowledge you need to navigate this journey. I hope you did a very slow, long taper plan and not ceased this drug within a couple of months...
Lorazepam was the nastiest drug i have ever taken . Withdrawals are worse than hell , still dealing with it .
Thank you for being so honoust, as many Docters are not. The withdrawal of benzodines was littially 20 times harder, than to stop with alcohol, as a result to calm from years of extreme side effects psychofarmaseuticals, The psychofarmacals and the extreme side effects completely destroyed my life, from childhood on.
I was put on Benzodiazepines way back when I was a teen. Now I am in my 70s. But I will say it did wonders for me. I had, and still have some issues with bad obsessive compulsive disorder, slight Torettes, and horrible anxiety, Back when I was a teen, it helped a lot getting through school. I still take a small amount at bedtime to help me sleep, .5 mg. In the past I was put on as high as 2 mg. Getting off altogether does create a lot of anxiety, and slowly I'm trying to cut it out all together. Had it not been for Valium back then, I doubt I would have even gotten through school, and been able to work. People, doctors, and the government, are too hasty, to condemn certain drugs that actually do good. Sure you can get addicted to lots of different medications, but for me it's been a blessing.
Me Too! They gave me Life for years. I withdrew in about 8 months..wasn’t too bad. 😊❤
For every one person that needs it there are 50 it destroys 🤷♂️
I stopped cold turkey after being on klonopin for years multiple times daily. I know now how dangerous that was. The withdrawal was absolutely awful. I refuse to take these type of meds anymore. Ever. I am on Zoloft at the lowest dose. But benzos, no way.
I really don't understand why any REAL doctor would tell anyone that benzos aren't highly addictive! As ever doctor, nurse, smart person would know! When I was prescribed 2mg xanax 30 years, that's the first the doctor told me, be careful and only use them, when really needed. They helped so much, It was wonderful. Until I decided to quit., should have tapered off with my doctor because some days were so bad, I'd take the 2 mg. I had been down to 1mg for 3 weeks, then was going down to 0.5. I just couldn't do it myself. Anyway, 30 years ago everybody knew mothers little helpers and the others were super addictive!
I've been prescribed Xanax for about 5 years now. I am taking them every 6 hours without fail now. I honestly don't know if my body is just requiring them around the clock to get back to baseline... It's honestly terrible.
you are dependent...you need a slow , long taper and expert guidance. Join a support group like Benzo Warriors on facebook. these people educated me on all thing benzo related and saved my life...
You have NO IDEA how bad this can get ……im 7.5 years out and can’t function , got into pharma injury group and get the real stories , it’s not crappy sir …..your body becomes a human torture chamber . Facility ?? You’re crazy …..ITS TOOOOOOO FAST
Can we have a video about antidepressant withdrawals? Or antipsychotic withdrawal? That would be awesome
I will put it on my ever growing to do list. Will do.
@@AndrewKimMD thank you 😉
Very clear and helpful! Excellent for my personal training in counseling and pastoral care.
We have to treat all of our patients and those under our counsel with a balanced approach: physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual health are all crucial. God Bless in all your work and thank you for what you do for others. I hope that you find moments of peace and rejuvenation when the opportunities arise, so that you can continue your work with a full tank of energy and a full heart.
I stopped cold turkey 6 weeks ago ....2mg klonopin everyday for 7 years ...im goin thru it man
How are you holding up now?
Amitriptyline (Elavil)- helps a great deal (I'm not a doctor, it helped my withdrawals tremendously when my doctor gave it to me for my withdrawals)
I hope you are doing better 🙏 same here
I was on nitrazepam years ago for a legitimate medical reason and grew dependant on it.
Man, when I went cold turkey the first time I had a seizure, body aches basically felt like death warmed up.
Eventually a year or so later I gradually reduced the dosage and got off them.
NEVER again! I am so glad I am off them.
Congrats on getting free from Nitrazepam. God bless, and thanks for being an inspiration ❤
These meds should never be prescribed for daily use. Only for use in critical situations. Coming off these drugs after daily use is literally torture.
I am sorry to say, but some people DO NOT recover. I am 2years off, and still feel like mentally impaired person, but thats not all. 2 years ago i went to rehab and met a guy who was 11 YEARS off and he was still not working and barely functioning in life. We amde friends and speak with each other from time to time. Believe me - currently he's 13 years off, and there are times when he calls me middle of the night, having panic attacks, screaming for someone to hold his hand. I am also shit. Although I do go to work and n
No one there realises the nightmare taking place inside me, but i am a wreck. Can bzrel3y read, write, handle basic tasks. There are days when cant make myself sandwich. Its terrible , and sorry, but there is no recovery for me....😢😢😢😢
You sound like a great doctor (psychiatrist I assume). Like you say, benzodiazepines are effective medications if taken sparingly but unfortunately they can be “too effective” for some. I’m tapering off of clonazepam after about 17 years of daily use. I’m down to 1.75mg daily from 4mg back in 2021 when I started decreasing and it’s becoming more difficult as I get lower. The mild symptoms you describe are exactly what I experience before my pills in the evening. I also used to drink heavily when I was younger, and I strongly feel that alcohol abusers are at much higher risk of abusing benzodiazepines (and opioids for that matter - I’ve been on a methadone maintenance program for over 15 years but that’s another story). You remind me a little bit of my doctor/psychiatrist!)
I agree for sure about your comment on that cross over between alcohol abuse and benzodiazepine abuse. I know I’m over simplifying it a bit, but our brains, to some degree almost interpret taking a benzodiazepine and a drink, in very similar ways. Both affect the GABA receptors and have similar reinforcing effects. And both could trigger a relapse/cravings for the other. I’m glad a lot of what you described seems to be behind you. Even though we don’t know each other, I really hope for much peace in the times ahead of you. Sounds like you have been through enough personal wars already.
@@AndrewKimMD interesting. i was put on Valium for a few months in 2015, i found the effect horrendous, i hated it. when i stopped taking it i craved alcohol for a couple of weeks, and i barely drink. i might have a drink or 2 every few months, tops. you just explained what happened.
A good professional advice from dr Kim.
I am a senior citizen with a very long history of taking 0.5 mg xanax daily which now I have reduced it to 0.25 mg. Can I take it indefinitely and what could be it's effect on memory impairment and maintaing balane as I age..
Awesome explanation.
It would be grateful if you can make a video about the Dissociative Disorder in the future. I have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder like 2 years ago. But, seems like those psychiatrists don't really even know much about it and there is only a tiny bit information about this disorder neither on the books nor the internet. i have been diagnosed as I found that I was in a mysterious places or even an amusement park every time I suddenly became conscious again on my way to work.The psychiatrist just said that it's caused by stress and the body psychological defense system has been activated. I am looking forward to this video. Thx!
Ok, will add it to my to do list. Dissociative Disorder is an interesting and fascinating phenomenon; very distressing for patients. A lot of our society and even clinicians often think patients are doing things “on purpose” or “for attention” which is not the case. In a sense, you can think of dissociation as an unconscious process that is a primal defense mechanism, when our mind/body is desperate to protect ourself from intense psychological or physical pain; which is way textbooks for psych 101 will discuss things like “depersonalization” and out of body experiences during traumas like assault. There are many forms of dissociation ranging from “blacking out” while awake, having your 5 senses and sense of time distorted, and having derealization or depersonalization. Very interesting stuff
@@AndrewKimMDhow do you know its not attention seeking behavior? Psychiatrists are pretty united in that it's not a real thing... if we are talking about what was called mpd...
Been prescribed them twice in my lifetime and they were great. Thankfully my doc won't prescribe them to me anymore because I know I would get hooked on them if I could get them easily.
I've been on Klonopin for 31 years for dilapadating panic and anxiety attacks, it was horrible, I lost my nursing job and have not worked since, I was on 8 mg for years then 6 mg and I got myself down to 3 mg for years and I'm on 1 year and am still on them now , they've tryed to get me off of them for a long time ,but I can't so Dr said I'll have to be on them for the rest of my life!!! The benzo withdrawal is horrible!!! I am 71 years old now, and even if I run out 2 Days without them ,I get crazy! numb lips, hands just all the stuff you get!!!
R
How old were you when you stopped working?I am 31 and quit last year due to CPTSD.
Klonopin is the worst benzo. I joined Benzo warriors support group on facebook. A switch to a longer lasting benzo and then a water taper is what many people have to do to finally free themselves from this poisonous drug. 1mg of Klonopin is still a high dosage when compared to Valium equates to (10mg). Took me 6 months to get off 5mg.
Fearful? Heck yes. I am dependent on 1 mg at night for sleep and starting to developed tolerance so therefor experiencing brain tremor, seizure, blurred vision, fatigue, weak and speaking legs, dizziness and falling. I don’t drink or smoke. I tried at home weaning with a psychiatrist and on the third day I work in the middle of the night with my brain shaking in my head and my heart beating very very fast. I was confused in a total panic. Yes I am terrified. I’m 57 and have been on this horrible drug for 5 years under Dr supervision. A 400 mg hydrocodone would have done the trick for sleep
But noooooo. I was told no and given a. dangerous drug that causes brain injury. Iam not the same WillI ever be the same? I was a very active athletic healthy happy life. Ow I’m agoraphobic and can’t stand the sun. DO NOT EVER TAKE THESE DRUGS. See those people on the street delirious and messed up? Just maybe it’s not fentanyl maybe it’s benzos. F this sht and psychiatrists are the worst.
Please start taking taking magnesium glycinate 1050mg in the morning and magtein (magnesium L theronate) at night. I also eat magnesium rich foods like avocado and raw pumpkin seeds throughout the day.
on ambient and klonopin for almost 20 years...yes I'm dependent to say the least. I was told when first prescribed it was safe and no dependency issues. all that being said, I'm glad i'm on it. I don't drink or abuse drugs otherwise. its allowed me to function - btw I'm 57 years old if that matters
How many mg of each drug do you take in a day?
Doctors are being advised to take people off these drugs who have been on them for many years. Also, pharmacies are having difficulty in their supply. I was on a benzo for 10 years until I hit tolerance. ..they put me on a slow acting valium and also 3 anti-depressants...It took me many years to get off 4 psych drugs...This is the incompetence of Doctors stating that this drug is safe and does no harm. It is big news in the benzo world that this drug has harmed millions of people over decades...watch 'Mad in America' on youtube. There is a huge movement growing warning about these drugs , short term or long term - it does not matter as benzos are toxic
I learned from a pharmacist that when many drugs first come on the market they are not yet tested for all side effects. For example, when ambien first came out, I was told it was not addictive. Luckily, I soon learned it was highly addictive and quit immediately. It was considered “not addictive” at first because not enough studies on its addiction potential had yet been done.
Just finished my taper 2 weeks ago. I was on Clonazepam for 23 years.
How did you do it ? How do you feel?
@@amyburns7818 I tapered off in about 3 months. I feel pretty good for the most part. Still have some lingering withdrawal effects.
I am also interested in hearing how you did it?
Dr. Kim this is a very informative video. I was unaware these medications could cause these types of withdrawal symptoms.
The Ashton method is the best way to come off them
Please explain...😊
Inpatient Detox clinic is a very bad idea. They will pull you off top quickly which can be deadly. I was suicidal both times doctors tried to detox me too fast. Your taper should be patient driven, slow and easy, never ever doctor driven and especially never at a detox facility. You can do this alone with the Ashton manual and a good tapering doctor who understands benzos.
Dr. Kim, I had been taking 15 mg of Temazepam for about 5 years and now are tapering off with 7.5 mg. Is there an even smaller dose than 7.5 to continue tapering? Initially I was prescribed Temazepam for insomnia. I am 77 years old, I don’t consume alcohol and my health is very good except for the sleep issue. Thank you
Hello im a 22 years old girl
I need help seriously i been taking ativan everyday for a year to sleep due to panic disorder and abusive physical problems with my ex ive been trying tk cut my pill into halves then quarters i started 2nd day eithout it and i felt hot flashes and rhought i was paranoid i and my heart to 140 i dont have any more prescribed ativan ! Im scared to die really i was at the bathroom gloor having hot flashes and felt like i wasnt in the reality please god give me strength i want to get out of this please please i dont want to die if you read this mr andrew whats ur advice on this?
Go to hospital, Dr's office and local community mental health authorities. Ask them to tell you everything. And what to do.
I'm going through klonopin withdrawal cold Turkey after 4 years literally hell on earth I'm having Bloodpressure spikes and 150 hr
No one should ever go cold turkey off of benzos. You could have a seizure, but more than likely will leave yourself with brain damage in the long term. You need to taper very very slowly. The first thing to do is see a doctor and ask them to switch you to valium which is a much longer acting benzo and therefore easier to reduce. I tapered with valium 10 mg pill and used a little scale to cut ten percent every two weeks. Along with the taper I took a raw b supplement, a full spectrum amino acid and inositol. All of these help heal the brain. Ten percent is actually considered a pretty quick withdrawal schedule. Many do the water taper method which you can find here on UA-cam.
Even worse… I experienced Medicine Induced Catatonic State which completely made my Autonomic Nervous System dysfunctional, and should have been hospitalized, going cold turkey….
Back on them, but found a 3 month weaning cycle that will be commenced soon.
Thanks for your insight.
I'm prescribed .5mg every day, once a day. I've never taken more than that in a day, and I've stayed at .5 mg for several years now and as a result, I can skip 2 or 3 days with no noticeable withdrawal.
Don’t detox after long term use. Taper very very slowly.
Dr. Kim, for some symptoms like anxiety and insomnia, can patients take antidepressants to treat during benzo withdrawals?
DO not add MORE DRUGS!!!
Dr. Kim: Good info (been there as well). NEW ONE: I'm 8yrs sober (from alcohol ... never did anything else). In attempting to get off of it, long ago, someone put me on, at first: Valium and I was on that a LONG time. When a subsequent doctor saw how long I was on it, they rushed to get me off (and, yes, it presented me withdrawal problems, but that story isn't relevant for this posting). They substituted some kind of prescribed antihistamine. I took it for a while, but never felt it helped much. And it was a bit expensive for me. So, I thought: Well, if this is just antihistamine, why not just take Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL ~ 50mg - 2 pills). I initially took it during the day - but then stopped and only took it to fall asleep. I have major issues in this area. And now, I've been taking ~ 50mg of Benadryl nearly nightly ... for around 7 or 8 years. THOUGHTS?
You're self-medicating because the substances you use blunt your emotions. Without them, you'd feel the full force of your emotions. For me, the answer has been to go for therapy and learn ways to regulate my emotions and manage stress and anxiety. DBT or CBT therapy are great for giving you the tools you need to cope without sedating your emotions😊
@@juliemauger6183 Thanks a lot for the into.
People say they are fine but if the people around them knew what to look for they would realize the mood swings, and complaints are due to the drugs. But they're not DRUGS because a doctor gave it to them.
NAC has show a huge improvement in my aunt on her Fluoxitine & Bupoprion. Now add in diazepam for sleep and she's become really crazy at times! Mean sometimes. Diarrhea ALL THE TIME! Anxiety, agitation, brain fog.
i have been take 2ml of alprazolam every night for about a year and half. I was getting them off the streets so I'm about to stop. The whole reason i used them it would put me to sleep. I talk them about 10pm and wake up at 530am then go to work. I still have some what is the best way to ween off them.
Excellent explanation of everything you spoke about!
1. You didn’t mention how it can be one year two year of a very slow taper to get off of it without having those serious side effects.
Benzos are nothing to play with the crippling withdrawals the eleveated anxieties come back ten fold the agitation tension with sickness hot and cold! the constant feeling of a electric current running through you or being prodded with a cattle prod! insomnia tingling cramping sensations emotions up and down confusion things that were easy before are difficult you have to wait for youre brain to re wire itself and stabalize youre mood from the months or years of abuse and you feel a hopeless feeling! seizures aswell in some cases so ask yourself if youre not taking them why not ?😊
Benzodiazepine withdrawal has ruined my life for the past four years. Detoxing in a facility is absolutely the worst advice you can give. Patients need to be titrated off slowly via the Ashton protocol while on a seizure med. It can be done but it is extremely tough and will change your life for a few years.
Benzo support groups are always advising people to not go to a detox facility. It is by far the worst case scenario and will cause more problems and you pay a lot of money too. Unfortunately, most Doctors do not know how to safely titrate over12+ months and have never heard of the Ashton Manual.
Detox is the wrong answer. Can take 6 months to 2 years to taper off. I see the doctors video is 7 years old and needs to be brought up to date. He is correct about the GABA being depleted and can take years for the central nervous system to readjust and to calm down. Dr. Aston method is the only way to go.
Does magnesium glycinate help with withdrawal,
My mother is severely dependent with klonipin she tried to stop taking them for 8 months 🙄 but fell right back to her addiction she's also mixing norco as well. I finally made the decision to distant myself from her due to the toxic situation it's just so sad.
That’s a dangerous scenario and very tragic. For what it’s worth I just said a prayer for you and your mother. I hope you can find the healthy boundaries that make the most sense for you, for this chapter of your life. And remember, having boundaries doesn’t mean that you don’t love or care for someone. If you haven’t yet, maybe check your local NAMI or even al-anon.org/ to see if there any online or local support groups for loved ones affected by those with addiction. Or if you haven’t considered it yet, finding a 1:1 counselor to help support you. I hope your mother can find and hold onto some motivation in the future to make some healthy changes.
Just when she needed your support and encouragement. Your mother has a DISEASE! Abandoning, rejecting and betrayal
of your mother is cruel and selfish.
@@ericblair54 i been giving all of myself to her since the age of 7/8 raising her kids she took sm from me just so she can be selfish herself I'm a single mother with two small kids just when I need her shes still with her selfish ways not wantinf to change. My kids actually need me more and i will no longer jeopardize my mental health for her anymore.
@@isauravalencia9562 You reason perfectly right. To set boundaries are good! You have to think about yourself and your kids first hand! I wish you the best of luck!👍
@@gunilla554 ty !
What a state to get yourself into. I know these types of medications have their uses but my god - look what we've created.
EXACTLY 👍
@@elisaacello4821 I have to say though, in a previous life I had some experience with these types of drugs and when you're in the midst of withdrawals and you happen to get hold of some more - it truly is a godly sensation.
So dangerous.
Only use less than 4 weeks. Otherwise you can get protracted acute withdrawal syndrome. It hurts incredibly. Too many doctors don’t know this .
I had an extreme addiction to Xanax and other benzos. You absofuckinglutely withdrawal from benzos. It’s miserably horrible. I don’t wish that on anyone. It’s worse than adderall, alcohol, and heroine. Luckily I have been free of all of them for a decade.
Yes, agree. Took as directed for 28 years, 6 months. Learned of danger of dementia, told doc I wanted to stop (Klonopin 1.5 to 2 mg). She said, Okay you can stop. She didnt mention anything about taper so I stopped cold turkey. Nearly died. Don't cold turkey this drug. I'm 29 months out now, and I'm getting better than I was for first 5 months but I'm like a different person. No sense of humor anymore. Get angry very easily. Still have poor sleep and panic. Hypersensitive to all senses. I wish I'd never taken them or at least was tapered off, not cold turkey.
Notice the withdrawals are similar to alcohol?
If you are looking to remove these from your life the key is restoring your body's natural levels of GABA & Glutamate. Consuming alcohol will disrupt the balancing of these so its important to stay away from alcohol during recovery.
Lots of good general basic info here. I would also reiterate that these were not designed for extended periods of use. These were designed to be taken for a very short term ( 2 weeks ) to be followed by intensive CBT. These are a blessing for only a short time and should be used to help ground you so you can put a CBT plan together to get you through whatever youre going through.
If you can, avoid these. Even if youre just using them for sleep. Eventually you will have interdose withdrawal and your sleep will suffer immensely.
If you want to see the nightmare that awaits you should "dependency" kick in, try checking out the "ashton manual"
You may be looking for benzos for the right reasons but you may suffer uncalculable repercussions.
I have been physiologically dependent on clonozepam for over a decade and it’s ruined my brain. I just downloaded the manual. Thank you so much for the resource. 💛
What is cbt?
@@Question8619 Cognitive behavioral therapy. 🙃
@@MoreCoffeePlease. you're not alone. Wishing you a full recovery 🙏
6 years now. Still sick disabled from them
The FDA needs to push doctors and pharmacists to disclose that every single medication under the sun has negative effects whether it's general malaise, or dependence, or full on addiction. Even something as relatively innocuous as Ibuprofen is, comparatively to harder drugs, it can cause discomfort after you stop taking it regularly.
It's not that difficult to just succinctly say to your patient that there's a level of dependence you can develop while taking a medication and you may experience discomfort after finishing the prescription, and direct them to ask their pharmacist for more information.
Nothing is more frustrating than telling a doctor that you don't want to take a medication, because you experienced withdrawals from it and they lecture you that it isn't addictive. Addictiveness labeled by the FDA is so stringent on there being a high, or some recreational use to it. Dependence doesn't even seem to be a factor in for some doctors, and some seem to ignore it just because they get paid for prescribing you medication. They have a vested interest in you being unhealthy, so they can sell you the cure.
Plus patients aren't researchers. If a patient is feeling pain after ceasing the drug, you might just infer that the drug was preventing that pain rather than it being the cause for it, which makes you feel like you need to continue taking it. All these nuances to withdrawals and dependence aren't studied enough during the drug testing period, and it seems like the patients in the trials are as far in the dark as we are. The doctors prescribing it aren't usually taking these drugs either, so they don't have the first hand insight as to what to expect beyond just what the studies and documents say.
I would have never expected at age 18 that my doctor, the arbiter of good health, would precribe me something similar to heroin. When you hear "pain medication" you think of pain relief like Tylenol or Advil. You don't think of drugs that people get addicted to or locked up for.
I have had a few seizures and always after stopping taking Xanax .. it was the scariest thing ever.
Just a quick question. Why didn't your docror taper you down, till your body didn't need it any longer? I was on morphine for years. My surgeon told me, I have to be off of ir, for my surgery. It took a month, no bad feelings, nor any cravings. And I never went back.
where do seizures affect
Me too.. grand mal after xanax.. went cold turkey after 2-4 mg for 4 yrs.. 5 days in I got a grand mal and was sent to hospital that gave me absenor 300mgx3 for 1 month and oxazepam 5mg 25pcs to taper on.
Benzo withdrawals are the worst. Even over oxys. Im coming up to my year off opiates and im really not loking forward to taper off the alprazolam
You wanna know what it looks like without a doctors opinion just go on the stuff I’ll give you a month on it and then come off of it. You tell me what it’s all about because until you go through it you don’t know it is pure. hell hell is a nice word for it?
MS survivor here, 1 year into oral prednisone and 6 months tapering period. One of many side effects of prednisone is insomnia, i was also into pregabalin for so long, during this period i was in and out of the ER, sometimes admitted due to pain or insomia. My doctor decided to prescribed clonazepam 0.25mg. This was in 2012..im. still taking clonazepam and it helped me to manage insomnia.
hi, I really like your content. Could you do a video on PMDD please?
Would i need to taper if i used 6-8 mg xanax for 3.5 weeks? Or just stop? I did take 4mp klonopin, 2mg today and 2mg tomorrow and then done
Im trying to get off of Clonazapam im doen to a half in the morning but that took three months im trying to get doen to a half at night my doctor told me to go to a half at night but im doing the same at night just cutting my night pill with only a guarter off at night and keeping a scheldule for a month
Even the occasional 0.25 of Xanax can be an issue. The Diazepam substitute taper method works!
been on 10mg of diaz for 5 years for sleep, tried cold turkey, has anyone had really bad legs, can hardly walk...will it ease
Please study the effects of Fluoroquinolone antibiotics and their role in "robbing" the body of GABA, causing an unwanted benzo withdrawal.
I think it would only do that if u are addicted to benzo... its like opiate antagonists like narcan... if ur not addicted it won't do anything to you even though it totally blocks opioid receptors. But if ur addicted u will go into full blown cold turkey!
Then u have antagonist/agonist like buprenorphine.. if u are not addicted it will get u high, but if u are addicted it will get u incredibly sick!
I finally heard a UA-cam doctor say don’t bother withdrawing from benzos. Life is too short to lose seven years.
Used them mfers and though to myself "eh won't happen to me!". Until I woke up in an ambulance having suffered multiple seizures. And that's after approx 3 months of daily use. This ain't no joke. Worst thing I had to go through. Seconds felt like hours.
I can tell u this I wasn’t going to comment but I am one of the old drug attics that got clean before the carfetinol and fentanyl hit ……after 9/11 happened and now COVID life is so much different I couldn’t t imagine sticking a needle in my arm and yes the urge to use and get high does go away even if your still miserable in recovery…abstinence is key I am so happy I have my life back it was close but once forget whereu came from is when we relapse
Its been 34 monthsl its horrendous. How l9ng does it take for gaba to return
I never quite understood how MDs explain something without ever experiencing it. Like regurgitating their books
You’re right. So weird. We should also only allow doctors who have had heart attacks treat patients with heart problems. And only allow doctors who have had lung transplants perform lung transplant surgeries. Forget the 12 years of working in detox settings, inpatient and outpatient settings.
True..... But no, the doctors that actually have been thru substance abuse, especially benzo abuse, really do give better accounts of these situations. maybe speaking thru experience....
What I dont like seeing is even though benzos have never been first line in the treatment of GAD or PAD, I think its terrible that providers are trying to cut back drastically on its use for these conditions, citing its abuse and withdrawals. Benzos act on the same receptor as alcohol, so using them chronically or abusing them will show similar signs and symptoms. I think changing the prescribing habits of these medications by overemphasizing the risks of these would be terrible for the people who do have these mental and behavioral health conditions. I've seen people who have successfully used them for periods of time and stopped using them, only for them to have another episode where providers try to manage it with ssri or snri, and are really reluctant of ever starting them back on benzos just because of their fears of addiction. It's a beach having frequent panic attacks and relying on antidepressants for help. Either that or they sedate them and make them useless during the day with trazodone or seroquel. Therefore, I'm in support of benzos for these conditions. It's better than letting someone go to alcohol to manage their symptoms or marijuana. And shoot, 55 to 94% of patients end up being managed on benzos from these conditions, unless they have a really bad substance abuse issue. That's why I don't see why doctors are critical and focus on the withdrawals and share only the negative aspects of these drugs. It doesn't make sense. they'll give them every other drug that's not a controlled substance without caring about the side effects, but imo I think they are even worse. Suicidal ideation as a black box warning for antidepressants, propranolol and pindolol are terrible, and you can't just stop those immediately either. It feels like many are using the aide effects and abuse potential of benzos as a reason to stop prescribing them as much, and its hard for several to cosign that. It's comparable to alcohol,
Benzos have very little if any benefit for most people. A simple change in diet would have far more benefits. No one needs to go on them. Some people will develop dependence within days or weeks. These things can affect every part of your body. This is absolutely not an addiction. It's almost the opposite of addiction. Because coming off of them is what destroys your life. When you're on them, you're not high. You're just normal. And we don't know how long withdrawal will last. For most, it's years. Some less, many seem to never recover fully.
I was on 2mg of clonzapam for 10 years stopped cold turkey… I ended up in the hospital for 2 months. Do not do this it is dangerous
Doc- I was told from 3 places, 2 of them inpatient woulnt take me because they said Ive been on way too man pills opiates & benzos fo to long. I tried to do it on my own & ended up in the ER with a min & 1/2 seizire. Rehabs are only 10 days. A joke. They have nurses giving out the same meds as people that were there for something a totally different they were on. Scary. 20 over 20 yrs of benzos & opiates....they'res really no hope, im 48 & these pills took MY entire life.
3.43... lethal withdrawal.... is a real thing. Taper down doses. Slowly. And tell a friend. Cuz the side effects of the Rx is bad, and attempting to get off, is very bad side effects potentially. Getting off will give you clarity and your life back. Worth it. Consider supplements like l-,theanine or valerian root as calming in lieu of Rx. Learn other coping skills for stress and fear. Eliminate or reduce abusers from your life. Etc.
DEFINITELY tolerance developed in my nightly Xanax “for sleep” reasonably quickly. I went from blissfully sleeping like a baby the first few weeks, to middle of the night wake-ups.
These drugs REALLY work for short term use.
The dangers come in long term use
Thank you doctor for helping the public understand the disease of addiction and also the balance where our bodies wants to balance everything for us
Dependency and addiction are NOT the same thing at all. Not even close.
@@4GSLmusic correct. You can become physically dependent on benzodiazepines, without having an addiction. Not the same thing. And technically, one can be addicted to a substance without necessarily being physically dependent on it as well. Both can happen at the same time; but independent scenarios as you correctly stated.
@@AndrewKimMD nice! I would assume it depends on someone’s brain and metabolic breakdown .. when looking into withdrawal. This would suggest dependency it someone’s addicted and experiences withdrawal to whatever degree. Correct? This would show tolerance and dependency. Whereas some can Be addicted, stop drug and not experience withdrawal severely. This is what I’m understanding from this. Thanks for your insight! People assume because I have withdrawal because I’ve taken a benzo for seven years and am microtapering that I must be addicted. I haven’t had one single craving. But the brain has adapted and looks for upregulation of gaba a receptors. Gaba flowing back in. Drs have told me it’s not addiction but I feel counselors and lay people typically don’t understand the difference and use the two interchangeably. And it’s inappropriate use of the words. It can cause a patient to feel ashamed. I have to taper off because of iatrogenesis and years of mistreatment from the wrong drs. I have a good one now! Almost fully off everything! And life is so much better and I’m more myself than in the last 7 years! Prescribers must be so so careful in how the prescribe and diagnose. We can really ruin peoples lives if we don’t take caution. Take care!
Why do most doctors don't even recognize that withdrawal is dangerous process ?
They are not taught in this at med school. Ask the big pharma companies why they did not inform Doctors that these drugs are dangerous....money and greed is behind all our suffering. Great films on netflix - as prescribed, take your pills - loads telling the withdrawal horror stories and still , today, people are being cold turkeyed by doctors.