Are you addicted to tranquillisers? Poll.

[Alabasterlyn]

Lyn, when you tried to off your benzo did you do it with the supervision of a doctor and try very very slowly? I have heard that over here in the USA doctors give patients librium to wean them off other benzos under supervised conditions in clinics. That may be why you couldn't go off of it yourself. Laura

Well I've never actually tried to come off the Librium Laura as I am scared of the symptoms I might get if I try and I feel bad enough already I have tried 3 times to come off my anti depressants and ended up having to go back on them, so for now I just stay on both meds

You don't become addicted you become depenadant, slightly different.

I have to say the term 'dependant' does sound a lot better than 'addicted'

[Piglet]

Yes dependant is a much more appropriate word.

Piglet

[Southern_Belle]

Yes, Marc put into words what I have been meaning to say all along I just haven't been able to manage it very well. Lyn, if you ever do want to go off your meds, I would do it under a doctor's supervision. They do wean you off slowly and possibly will give you different meds to help so it won't be so awful and then wean you off those too. If you truly want to come off of them they can help you. For me personally, I am happy on them and have no reason to rock the boat at the moment.

Love,

Laura

[mkeeley]

Some people can stop from a fairly high dose and long term usage in a short time whereas I've read of people taking a year or so to wean them off a fairly low dose, depends on the individual.

So even though a Doctor can make a schedule out for someone it can only be a guideline to start until they see how well they're getting on and, depending on that, may have to be revised if it's too quick.

[Sanchez]

No addiction for me. Been taking diazepam when needed for over 4 years but a few weeks ago when my anxiety returned I was taking 15mg a day till my current psychiatrist told me to stop taking them and start taking zyprexa every night, which seems to be working better.

[mkeeley]

Alabasterlyn, I think you've been reading to many anti-benzo posts ;-) It certainly isn't a "known fact" that benzos only work short term, unless you count short term in years. Whether they work as effectively over time is a different matter. Also remember some only take them as required.

Anyway I think it should be down to quality of life and the patients wishes, as long as they're presented with all the facts. Although benzos don't cure anxiety/PA's, they do mask the symptoms allowing people to lead a normal (or nearer normal) life at the possible expense of dependancy, I don't see how that's automatically a bad trade.

[Phill2]

From someone whos been taking them daily for 4 yrs I couldnt agree more.
I've been taking 10mg/day and haven't had to up the dose.
Phill

[Ellen70]

Yes, doctors I have met never take my quality of life into account. They say I shouldn't be on these drugs, but I couldn't go outside the door if I didn't take them, and my mind would be torturing me.

[Lindalou64]

ive been on tranqualizers for 18 yrs,i look at it this way im suffering bad at times and when i need them they will be there just like a diabetic needing the insulin...if i need to take them the rest of my life so be it,as long as i can get thru my day and go to work why make myself suffer anymore then i already do if something will calm me i think thats a good thing..maybe one day sure i will get off that would be great but if not i know i have them and it does help me.........Linda

[jasking]

I have the same Fear as you Piglet the Doc's gave me diazipam and have only taken one as I'm scared of becoming hooked anyway it did'nt do me much good just made me feel worse !!