[splitimage]

I'm in the process of filling out the pre-addmission paperwork for addictions rehab. They say in the paperwork that you can't take benzos while you're there. I'm on 3.5 mg prescribed by my psychiatrist.

I talked to the social worker who did my intake and he said that they sometimes allowed prescribed benzos but it was decided on a case by case basis, so I might have to go off them or not.

I've been on them since 2007, so I'm highly physically dependent on them.

I asked my pdoc how long it would take me to safely taper off them if I had to, and he said, "oh a few weeks". I've heard about benzo withdrawal, and it strikes me that it would take quite a bit longer than a few weeks.

Any suggestions on how long it would really take?

thanks.

splitimage

Hi Split Image, it took my ex 3 months to get off of hers. However she cut them in half a week, the next week cut that in half, and the next until then off of them. I think it rather foolish of a Physician to nonchalantly tell you "oh three weeks" when your body is use to them. This is just me but this is what i would do. I would not go off them and go into rehab. If it is meant to be they will work with you while on them. Otherwise you go off them and have to start all over again. You never know the tenure of the dr. if they are a student, physician asst, you don't know their experience. often they always put it at our expense not theirs. Think about this and good luck.

[MobiusPsyche]

Three weeks would probably be fine if you are on 0.5 mg a day, for most people. You're on quite a bit more than that so it will take longer.

Go into Rehab and explain why you're there. Explain how long you've been on that dose and why you're talking benzos to begin with. They may work with you.

The SW was probably pointing out that they do not generally use benzos to help with withdrawal symptoms, which it's standard practice not to do that except in the most severe cases. But your situation is different.

Sent from my mobile device using Tapatalk.

[Angelique67]

I would say, take a couple of years. I was forced off benzos in 2013 after 30 years on them. I have not recovered. I was off them cold turkey, with a Librium twice from the ER.

It should not be that bad if you can take as long as you need to very slowly and carefully continue to taper down. I wish you the best of luck.

I am talking from personal experience, Please don't go to that rehab and have them cut you off like that, It does takes Years Literally, Benzos are no joke and you have to do a long slow taper, I have went threw benzo withdrawal more than once, I am on Klonopin again but want to switch back to Valium but I do want to get off Benzos all together, Right now I am not ready to go threw that, Take it from some one who knows, I am sorry but your Doctor is not telling you the correct information, Look into the subject on Google and YouTube, You will find some answers there, Good luck and plenty of hugs

Originally Posted by splitimage

I'm in the process of filling out the pre-addmission paperwork for addictions rehab. They say in the paperwork that you can't take benzos while you're there. I'm on 3.5 mg prescribed by my psychiatrist.

I talked to the social worker who did my intake and he said that they sometimes allowed prescribed benzos but it was decided on a case by case basis, so I might have to go off them or not.

I've been on them since 2007, so I'm highly physically dependent on them.

I asked my pdoc how long it would take me to safely taper off them if I had to, and he said, "oh a few weeks". I've heard about benzo withdrawal, and it strikes me that it would take quite a bit longer than a few weeks.

Any suggestions on how long it would really take?

thanks.

splitimage

I take alprazolam, and I've tapered from 7 mgs/day to 3 mgs/day. My psychiatrist said to reduce the dose by .25 mgs every 3 weeks.

Since you've been on clonazepam for 9 years at 3.5 mgs/day I would think a tapering schedule would be similar to mine. Thus it may take about 30 weeks.

I hope your tapering can be done in less than 30 weeks.

Originally Posted by splitimage

I'm in the process of filling out the pre-addmission paperwork for addictions rehab. They say in the paperwork that you can't take benzos while you're there. I'm on 3.5 mg prescribed by my psychiatrist.

I talked to the social worker who did my intake and he said that they sometimes allowed prescribed benzos but it was decided on a case by case basis, so I might have to go off them or not.

I've been on them since 2007, so I'm highly physically dependent on them.

I asked my pdoc how long it would take me to safely taper off them if I had to, and he said, "oh a few weeks". I've heard about benzo withdrawal, and it strikes me that it would take quite a bit longer than a few weeks.

Any suggestions on how long it would really take?

thanks.

splitimage

My math was incorrect on my last post.

I should have said the tapering schedule may be around 42 weeks.

Sorry for any confusion.

[Paracelsus]

personally i would not admit myself to an impatient addiction facility to taper off of benzos. taper yourself off them at your own pace. I'm currently on a taper and I'm doing wonderful taking it slow.

[splitimage]

Thanks everyone. I asked my addictions Dr. about it, in my last appointment, and she said that if she was managing the taper, it would take at least 6 months, and then my other meds might need to be adjusted to offset the loss of the benzo. She offered a letter supporting me staying on them, if that would help.

So I see my pdoc again next week, and going to bring up the length of difference between his comment and her's, and tell him there's no way I want to go off them to do rehab.

Hopefully between him and my addictions Dr., they'll let me stay on them and do rehab.

splitimage

[Noca86]

I'd suggest using the Ashton manual for benzo taper by Professor Ashton a leading expert on the subject.

benzo.org.uk : Benzodiazepines: How They Work & How to Withdraw, Prof C H Ashton DM, FRCP, 2002

[-jimi-]

I'd like to ask how dependent you are on them. It took me 10 years to be hooked on benzos. After 7 years I actually was able to drop them rather quickly. I hear this is unusual. I would assume though after 9 years yes you'd be dependent on the med, but how bad, is different between people. I guess you have sometimes maybe forgot a dosage or not being able to take it, and actually experienced withdrawals? Or not?

I don't take the same benzo or the same equivalent strength but if I was to do a taper I would need about 2 months between every 0.25 mg cut to regain stability. I have tapered before just not tapered all out. These are my personal limits.

If you are anywhere similar, your taper would take over a year. A few weeks I think is very optimistic.