[knothead]

Does anyone out there know anything about Benadryl (diphenhydramine) addiction? I can go through a bottle of 200 pills within a week's time. I know it's lame compared to "real" drugs, but I really do struggle with it. I've never had much control over drugs. I don't stop unless someone forces me to, and when I drink, I drink until I pass out.

[splitimage]

Hi knothead,

Welcome to psychcentral and the addictions forum. I don't know much about Benadryl specifically, but I do know that a lot of people have problems with addictions to over the counter medications, for the effect it gives them. It sounds like you're concerned about your use and maybe about your alcohol use as well. That's a good starting point - to think about your usage and question whether it's good for you.

If you're concerned, I'd suggest talking to your family Dr. - they can recommend treatment programs. You might also want to consider support groups like AA or N/A. They can be very helpful for people wanting to stop using.

And of course you can also keep posting here for support.

---splitimage

[madisgram]

hey knothead and welcome to the addictions forum here at pc. in my humble opinion anything can become more than a problem when we abuse it...like over the counter drugs. obviously it's not for allergy that you are taking it. the first thing i'd suggest is discussing this with your primary care doctor. i don't know if you wouldn't suffer serious withdrawal symptoms from the massive quantities you are taking.(seizures being one of them tho i'm no doc). you may have to be weaned off of that doseage. secondly what exactly are you "getting out of taking the benedryl? do you get a buzz?..more info please if u care to respond. and the booze thing about not stopping til u pass out. i see that as a major warning signal, too.
split image had some good pointers for you to consider too.
glad you found us and hope you can find the support here you need as well as with your doc, 12 step recovery program or other support systems available in your community.

[knothead]

What do I get out of the Benadryl? It's "medicine head" to the tenth degree. I manage to wean myself off of them at times but I start taking them again when I can't sleep. It's always the same -- I start out slow, only taking 4 or 6 to help me sleep at night. Soon the dosage starts to increase because they're not working as well, then I start popping them throughout the day because they give me a nice, detached feeling. Each time that I relapse, it's harder and harder to quit them. It's so easy to get them, plus they are cheap and legal.

[Capp]

Hi knothead,
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