Benzo (Diazepam) addiction - at what level and how long?
in [Medication]
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From: BertieBigBollox@gmail.com on 13 Dec 2005 05:47 Whats the line on this? I know that, to a large extent, YMMV but I was wondering what everyone thought. Also, whats the 'official' line ? At what dosage and taking for how long before addiction is likely to occur with Diazepam. My doc is very cautious and won't give me any more now (after 3rd prescription of 10 x 2Mg). I started off taking 5-10Mg a day for about 10 days, then about 2-5Mg for about another 10 days, now for the last 10 days I'm down to 2Mg 'most' days. I know 2Mg is a very small dose of Diazepam (and I'm a large fella as well) but is there 'any' danger of addiction at such a small dose. To be honest, the 2Mg does make a little bit of a difference for me, but I dont want to take it for too long if you know what I mean. Or is the benzo addiction thing a bit overblown? For instance, what harm could I cause myself if, say, I took 2Mg four times a week for 4 months or something (as an example)? (BTW - I must be getting a bit better because normally I wouldnt care about the dosages etc just getting the tabs down!)
From: GFX on 13 Dec 2005 08:19 I have worked with hundreds of people addicted to a variety of medicines, including yours. You don't have any of the signs that one tends to see in an addicted patient. One strategy that many people find comfortable in finishing up a prescription such as yours is to take one tablet every other day, instead of every day. If you took 2 mgs 4 times weekly for four months, you would have what is called some degree of "physical dependence", meaning that it would have to be tapered down more slowly to a "stop" point (like 3 a week for 2 weeks, then 2 a week, then one a week x 2 weeks, then d/c.) Physical dependence is NOT the same thing as addiction, which is more of a behavioral syndrome. Don't worry! Gary <BertieBigBollox(a)gmail.com> wrote in message news:1134470835.235741.98750(a)g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... > Whats the line on this? > > I know that, to a large extent, YMMV but I was wondering what everyone > thought. Also, whats the 'official' line ? > > At what dosage and taking for how long before addiction is likely to > occur with Diazepam. My doc is very cautious and won't give me any more > now (after 3rd prescription of 10 x 2Mg). > > I started off taking 5-10Mg a day for about 10 days, then about 2-5Mg > for about another 10 days, now for the last 10 days I'm down to 2Mg > 'most' days. > > I know 2Mg is a very small dose of Diazepam (and I'm a large fella as > well) but is there 'any' danger of addiction at such a small dose. > > To be honest, the 2Mg does make a little bit of a difference for me, > but I dont want to take it for too long if you know what I mean. Or is > the benzo addiction thing a bit overblown? > > For instance, what harm could I cause myself if, say, I took 2Mg four > times a week for 4 months or something (as an example)? > > (BTW - I must be getting a bit better because normally I wouldnt care > about the dosages etc just getting the tabs down!) >
From: tanya on 13 Dec 2005 10:24 GFX wrote: > You don't have any of the signs that one tends to see in > an addicted patient. HE'S GOT THA SIGNS I SEE UP'N MUH TAT SHOP ! > One strategy that many people find comfortable in > finishing up a prescription such as yours is to take one tablet every other > day, instead of every day. rationale... i'm thinkin yer tryin' ta fit him inta that box. i'm thinkin' my pdoc'd say "oh stoppit, yanno ya just wanna have fun.... and make friends easily in bars".. (well, it used ta be a gram'ah coke so actually tha cost'ah poon tang.... (i mean living) has gone down. > > If you took 2 mgs 4 times weekly for four months, you would have what is > called some degree of "physical dependence", meaning that it would have to > be tapered down more slowly to a "stop" point (like 3 a week for 2 weeks, > then 2 a week, then one a week x 2 weeks, then d/c.) > Physical dependence is > NOT the same thing as addiction, which is more of a behavioral syndrome. what's tha difference in the behavior of a physically dependent cat'n an addicted daddy-o? > Don't worry! i think he ain't. > Gary (i'm thinkin' "tater salad" could be sceered uv me.... cuz i gots his # !)
From: popejed on 13 Dec 2005 12:53 "lym" <no(a)chancebuddy.com> wrote in message news:131220051246233219%no(a)chancebuddy.com... > In article <1134488986.184875.27440(a)g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, > <"BertieBigBollox(a)gmail.com"> wrote: > >> Tanya.... >> >> You're certainly very entertaining but very strange but I like you... >> >> Taking the Diaz for depression/anxiety brought on (as it always is) by >> starting a new job. If I didnt take them I'd do soemthing dull like >> quit the job. Usually after a few months it all calms down and I'm >> normal again !!!!! > > Not sure what you mean here but it sounds relatively normal. EVERYONE > FEELS LIKE QUITTING THEIR NEW JOB! Sitting on a park bench -- Eyeing ittle girls with bad intent. Snot running down his nose -- Greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes. Drying in the cold sun -- Watching as the frilly panties run. Feeling like a dead duck -- Spitting out pieces of his broken luck. Sun streaking cold -- An old man wandering lonely. Taking time The only way he knows. Leg hurting bad, As he bends to pick a dog-end -- He goes down to the bog And warms his feet. Feeling alone -- The army's up the rode Salvation ? la mode and A cup of tea. Aqualung my friend -- Don't start away uneasy You poor old sod, you see, it's only me. Do you still remember December's foggy freeze -- When the ice that Clings on to your beard is Screaming agony. And you snatch your rattling last breaths With deep-sea-diver sounds, And the flowers bloom like Madness in the spring
From: Cassandra on 13 Dec 2005 16:18
While Valium does cause physical dependency, and it isn't necessarily fun to come off even a short period on benzos once that happens, you're unlikely to have much trouble with the amounts you're talking about. At least, based on what I have experienced and have watched friends experience. Basically, the quick answer is "yes, that's probably enough to cause some physical dependence." The longer answer is that it's probably not nearly a high enough dose nor a long enough period to create the sort of withdrawal that would be dangerous. At that dose, though, for a long enough period -- well, that might be a different story. And you're right -- you might be an exception to that rule, and have trouble even now. After six weeks of taking 1mg Xanax per day, I stopped cold turkey, and spent one night unable to sleep properly, and shivering badly. That was the only trouble I had, nothing more. I did sleep some, just not normally, and it was only the one night. On the other hand, after six months of taking 3-4mg Xanax per day, I spent one of the most miserable weekends of my life -- vomitting, shaking, twitching, headache, depression, etc. Just miserable. Assuming you really mean that you are taking 2mg of Valium, that's a tiny dose. It really shouldn't be much trouble to taper off -- cut a tablet in half, and take that for a day, and you should be all right. (I was always started on 10mg, and usually higher, when taking Valium. But I tend to fight off benzos.) If you're looking for a less problematic anxiolytic, you might try asking your doctor about a beta blocker. It won't affect your cognition, but will cut off the physical symptoms of anxiety. I hope that helps. |