Benzo use, MY story and what led me to benzos

[@someguyontheinternet2714]

So sorry for your struggles. I am dealing with addiction to something else and it's a fucking beast. I think you making these videos to raise awareness is really a good thing. Those people who make the negative comments are either super young or super dumb. Don't worry about them and keep doing your thing. Wishing you the best of luck on your recovery.

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

Thank you so much for saying this! It’s definitely a challenge for me to not take things like that personally but I’m working on it. Considering the situation I guess that should be the least of my worries😂. But thank you so much for your support and best of luck to you also! No matter the medication or drug or addiction, healing is possible and we will all get through it together!! Stay strong yourself. You’ll get there!!

[@someguyontheinternet2714]

@@Patricksbenzowithdrawal thank you for saying all that. I’ll be sticking around to watch you on your journey and I know you can do this. I can tell you are super intelligent and strong and will make it through. Sending love and positive vibes your way.

[@dannyj7618]

What is your current addiction? Im currently going through brutal kratom addiction - Its a fucking nightmare. And I cant go to rehab because i have to work.

[@formidible]

This is a dependancy, not an addiction

[@ILTOMBA]

Inspiring stuff Patrick! Well done, I hope you recover soon.

[@taraard6813]

Ignore the haters! Stay strong my friend ❤ you got this! Been going through this for a year c/t. 😪 You don't owe anyone an explanation for anything! Thank you for doing your videos💞

[@Radhey2223]

I am now 5 months off Xanax. Doctor prescribed it by misdigonosd my condition as anxiety disorder. Actually my nervous system got highly sensitized after a COVID booster dose. I experienced many weird side effects of xanax during use, so I tapered and stop. During tapering, i felt horrible withdrawal symptoms. Now it has been 5 months since I am off, but I am in constant hell. This so called medicine is actually a mind altering poison, should not be prescribed for more than two weeks. You are doing a great work by posting these videos for awareness.

[@trowwzers5057]

Benzo withdrawal is no joke. I was withdrawing so bad that I lost 30lbs in a week and didn’t sleep until I got prescribed Remeron. I’m off Remeron now Red Kratom withdrawals were slightly shorter; but still torture. I went 5 days without sleep until I got prescribed Seroquil

[@bryanauxier1905]

Don't listen to haters. Benzo withdrawl is so difficult to deal. I wish you the best of luck and please keep us updated.

[@dbraymore]

I have been off 4mg Xanax a day for 2 years almost exactly. I forgot the horror that living life on Xanax was. My life is normal now. I remember the withdrawals being intense, uncomfortable, I remember my anxiety about anxiety and pushing my limits, experiencing small victories. I remember being able to feel again once I was off Benzos completely, becoming hyper sensitive to smell taste etc. Somewhere in that 4-6 month range I started forgetting I had anxiety. You are going to be ok Patrick

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

Thank you so much for your kind words!! That helps me a lot. It’s great to hear you’ve been able to get your life back after benzos! It gives me hope. I know it’ll still be a long road but I have faith that I’ll get there. Thank you!!

[@jrman413]

Did you taper? Cold turkey?

[@dbraymore]

@@jrman413 10 day detox, for 10 days I was on different benzos among other drugs and taper over just 10 days. Rehab after for 28 days while on an anti convulsive.

[@OrangeDiamond33]

Xanax saved my life for panic attacks. Took it for 2 months at .5 to 1.5mg. After the stress of my divorce was over I tapered down over a month and got off no problem. Been off it now for years. Great medication for certain people and a terrible one for others.

[@angelcathairs]

god bless you my friend. you are helping so many. i wish they didn't say those nasty things to you. you don't deserve that. you deserve love and support and gratitude. god bless you. and thank you for being strong and for continuing to make these videos and posting them. you help so many people 🙏❤

[@DankLion]

Glad that I ran into this today, & thank you for posting, so many people will find comfort in knowing they're not alone. You can do this, I believe in you, you seam very smart & well spoken && I hope you can envision a future full of comfort & fulfilling experiences ahead my friend!

[@tamjo614]

Wow, our stories are very similar. It led me to have to retire on disability at 45 years old. I feel like I’ll never be able to be without the meds.

[@jimferrill1790]

I took valium for 15+ years under a doctor's direction. When I wanted to get off them he actually fought me over it. "If they're working, why would you want to change?" That's what he said to me. WTF! You seem very calm for being off for 9 days. Hope and pray for your recovery. Stay at it. You're going to be ok!

[@DH-dh2nj]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻, be strong you can do it . One day at a time.

[@annstar2793]

Please ignore the trolls❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ we need brave people like you advocating and educating people about the dangers of taking benzos as prescribed. It’s NOT addiction. It’s a physiological alteration of the neurons to the medication that designed to help you when your symptoms are debilitating….and then the meds end up effing you up big time. And doctors tell you to take them and prescribe them. And why aren’t doctors trained on this in medical schools ????

[@rumoret]

Your body becomes dependent on benzodiazepines. Over time, your body requires more of these meds to maintain normalcy. You will experience many wirhdrawl symptoms before you figure out you need to have your prescription adjusted. Over time, you might hit a wall, and taking your usual dose creates a paradoxical affect....the drugs do the opposite on what they should do. You now have to take a higher dose to get to a point where you are no longer having wirhdrawl symptoms. You can start to taper slowly off your benzo should that be your choice. We are not addicted to benzos. We took as prescribed.

[@natiebear1812]

Watched my sister and mother go through benzo withdrawal. I’ve lived years with terrible anxiety tried almost every antidepressant on the market. Was given Ativan for anxiety. I only take it when I get super bad. I’m terrified of benzo addiction. Thank god i finally found a good antidepressant combination now and feel so much better.

[@jakem305]

Great vid, i feel for you. This is really a systemic issue with doctors in bed with pharmaceutical companies. They get incentivized to overprescribe when a lot of the time its a lifestlye change that would be the best medicine.

[@janeminty6947]

Much love to you! ❤ I’ve been researching Benzos. Cannot believe they are still prescribing long term use! It’s a tragedy! Good luck to you and your journey ! ❤

[@ipfreely3984]

I've come off crazy high levels of benzos. The worst part for me were the brain snaps. It gets better.

[@youbi4384]

you can do it, keep us updated ❤

[@coldpotatoes2556]

Power to ya bro, took me about 2 weeks to feel better and about 2 years before I felt my old self, was prescribed them also. I cold turkeyed and might have done some mental damage, probably why it took 2 years to feel normal. I now take very low dose balanced cbd/thc oil for anxiety, much better, i often miss doses because I’m not needing it and doing psychological work to make my situation better. Don’t give up, benzos are low grade brain destroying crap.

[@alexvergara1487]

My friend abused Xanax and other drugs for years and wouldn’t stop no matter what he did to curb his use until he did magic mushrooms. I know this guy and he had a serious drug problem and I never thought he would stop and was amazed he got off them.

[@ashleyen3]

Good to hear !

[@ProbyWaN1337]

I'm at 6mg day. It's hell. Wish I never went to the DR to begin with

[@nonyabusiness7200]

I'm at 6 mg interdose AND tolerance and can't find anyone to taper me safely

[@drunkensquirrel7545]

​@nonyabusiness7200 Find Dr. Josef & the Benzodiazepine Information Network channels on YT. They're great places to start. I'm tapering off Klonopin now, and their info has helped me a lot. BenzoBrains channel also has great info on dry cutting & water tapering. Just remember that tapering is a marathon not sprint, so go slow. Good luck & Godspeed. PS: not gonna lie, getting off benzos is like hell for most people.

[@clasmaster1471]

Been on 6 mg for over 20 years and then lost my doctor. Went to a psychiatrist and they maxed me out at 2 mg. That was a quick taper! I’d like to get off the other 2 mg but after reading some of these horror stories it makes me wonder

[@nonyabusiness7200]

@@clasmaster1471 how well did the abrupt cut go? Was it scary or did you withdrawal? If so how long did it last?! ZERO Drs will see me except for one and id have to travel across the state and someone hit my car in the driveway last night and tried to run. Illegal immigrants with no license or papers so I'm screwed. Single disabled mom without an income at the moment and now someone just hit my car while I was doing dishes! Woulda hit my house if the car wasn't in the driveway. So with my bday tomorrow I'm trying to raise money to pay my deductible so I can go to this Dr but nobody wants to pay me back or help me and I keep getting told to just stop or I don't need that Dr or go to detox. That ALLLLL causes PROLONGED withdrawal. I know someone who had very severe withdrawal from Xanax for TWENTY TWO YEARS from being on 0.25 three times a day and they tapered! But my friends ex gf got arrested and was on 6 mg a day for 4 years she had back to back seizures and she said once the seizures were over she had bad anxiety for a few weeks but by the time she was released from jail she was back to normal... She's a drug addict and she's terrified I mean TERRIFIED of benzos now. But I hear all these horror stories..... So it's like what are we supposed to do?!

[@nonyabusiness7200]

And I'm on this dose for getting shot in the face and zero Drs will take me but the ONE. And she made me cold turkey my subs so I've been suffering for four months tomorrow is my bday and I'm just upset. I feel for the guy in this video....

[@coleg315]

Keep your head up, and f^#& anyone putting you down. No one is perfect and your doing what you have to do to fix the problem. I really appreciate the video, I need to know more about this, have a daughter that is not doing good on them.

[@DavidJones-ib3zy]

Yea , I did not abuse my Xanax but did abuse Alcohol up to 2003 & pain pills until I went to a methadone clinic in 2003 , as I stated I take 4 mg 'X' a day since 2014 but I get 6 mg a day but it seemed when I took more I felt worse + I can use the extras to taper . I took K -pin 2 mg a day from 1997-late 1999 . Then for a year in the early 2000's . My point I'm very weary of long acting benzos K-pin , Valium , the xanax lasts from dose to dose / my metabolism is slow . Hang in there , Ill watch yr vid from 8 days ago now . GOD BLESS !!!!

[@lorisloris4384]

Good luck, really hope ur gonna do it!

[@2beans1cream]

I’m sorry that people can be so mean. Stay strong!

[@ashleyen3]

Best of luck bro.

[@janesimpson8590]

the comment section can be brutal. I think ignorance leads people to "hate". Please know your bravery can save someone, so please, if you can, remember you have the support of those of us who believe you. This information can save lives! It's called Iatrogenic Harm. Medicating Normal, the documentary is a great dive into this territory and more.

[@Th3Ch0s3n1]

While there is a place for Benzos and a time they need to be administered to help, I do not think they should be prescribed as a long term maintenance medication.

[@connora9504]

Most Doctors would agree. This guy's doctor must have sucked. He should have looked for a second opinion from a non pill mill Doc. A quick google search to longterm benzo use has tons of info on just how bad it is. Its hard to have huge sympathy for him when he clearly didnt even bother to look at the downsides. My doctor 100% will refuse to give me any benzos for anxiety. Its a non-option. That being said, I am not trying to pile on negativity here. I give props to this man for trying to spread awareness of how awful benzo withdrawal is. I place a bigger blame on the state of American health care and overprescribed pharma. The system is a insanely profitable system which puts more emphasis on masking the symptoms than addressing the root causes. Tackling why the anxiety occurs is more important than masking them with a high. The reality is, the less anxious way to live longterm, is by avoiding all mind altering chemicals and taking absolute care of your body (no booze, high nutrient density foods, lots of sleep, lots of physical activity, meditation and mindfullness, activities which force people in uncomfortable social situations like toastmasters /public speaking etc)

[@forever5carter]

Hope your day is good...🙏

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

Thanks so much!! I’m still pretty off and weird feeling but I’d say I see some improvements so that’s something!

[@forever5carter]

Awesome! I am glad you are improving. You got this! Prayers from Tennessee🙏🙏🧡🧡@@Patricksbenzowithdrawal

[@nathancarlyleswag]

good luck on your journey to better health my friend

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

Thank you so much!!

[@ryanbennett270]

Medicine isn’t suppose to make you sick.

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

It definitely is not, but sadly it does. Some medications at least. I’m praying people are able to see that and save themselves from the harm that’s been done to me.

[@alexvergara1487]

@@PatricksbenzowithdrawalA professor of nursing told my gf who was studying to be a nurse that pharma companies could make “medicines” that don’t have side effect but they choose not to because they don’t make money on curing you, they make money on treating you. It makes sense…

[@dandelion3391]

​@@alexvergara1487 Lol that's ridiculous. Pharma companies make their money by competing with other pharma companies. You really think there's a global conspiracy by the entire medical profession for that? The fact is there are almost no medicines without side effects because drugs don't just target one thing, they have broad effects in the body.

[@elguaje7.]

If you have an addictive personality you should do your best to avoid prescribed pain relief period. I know it’s not that simple though, been through pregablin addiction myself. Among many others. At least now I have the self awareness to know I need to just have the strength to decline these prescriptions from doctors. I have empathy for you but at the same time you need to have enough strength to know you need to avoid these things with addictive traits

[@natmxx3928]

@@alexvergara1487that professor of nursing used a quote that every conspiracy theorist use… it’s ignorant misinformation though basic chemistry will tell you why things work the way they do.

[@redred6169]

You should be very proud you did it on your own I’m gonna have to go to a treatment center for $30,000👍

[@trowwzers5057]

I took 4mg of Xanax as prescribed, ended up in a psych hospital where they lowered my dose to 2mg of Klonopin. After I got out of the hospital, I was buying benzos off the street and the black market. I was taking 6-8mg per day. Eventually, my package never came to the post office so I flipped out in rage and got arrested and put back into the hospital Once I got out of the hospital (drugged up on different meds), I had the worst withdrawals of all time. 7 days without sleep, restless legs so bad that I had to walk 20+ miles to tire them out and I had pure panic attacks. It took me 30 days to completely feel normal

[@TheFifthWallz]

Don’t listen to the uneducated, addiction is a disease anyway. Benzo withdrawal is worse than any other drug. I do think a low dose 1x per day may be good for some people who can’t function and haven’t been successful on other, safer meds. Keep up the good fight man!❤

[@formidible]

But this isn't an addiction.

[@ArimaSenne1]

There's natural GABA herbs like Passionflower, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Valerian, etc

[@dandelion3391]

Just because they are herbal does not mean it doesn't downregulate GABA, the only reason people don't get withdrawals from them is because they are so weak to begin with.

[@jazzskunk91]

Green tea with its L-Theanine!

[@me2846]

@@jazzskunk91 it doesn't work I've tried all natural herbs as well then you find out your allergic !! ugh

[@shaneshrimp6519]

No one will ever understand what it is like to go through this , even doctors. I went through benzo withdrawal 11 years ago and I been off them for 10 years . One of the worse times of my life if not the worst . I did this mostly on my own with very little help and got myself off them when no doctor had a clue what to do. If anyone has any questions about this be free to ask me and I will try to answer as best as possible as someone who has been down this road.

[@GerardKieran]

I use Valium too. Only for sleep sometimes along with a food coma if I know I'm too anxious to sleep and the next day is important. I try not to do it often (once a month)

[@2strokemxclassics]

Ive been on benzos nearly 20 years but i only take 10 mg of valium per day,ive been through the withdrawals 3 times for my driving license,why do people want to stop taking benzos they dont mess your life up if you dont take loads🤔

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

They very well can and do mess peoples lives up without taking much. Some people never develop tolerance and tolerance withdrawal but many do. Be thankful it hasn’t happened to you

[@alpoole2057]

Dude i came off benzos in a august. It was horrific. Acute withdrawal. Brain is still broken.

[@trowwzers5057]

I got off benzos back in late 2018. I had the worst RLS ever and I couldn’t sleep for days. I had continuous weeks where I couldn’t stop walking. It was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced

[@greg9069]

Marijuana needs to be legal nation wide. Nobody should be depending on benzos for sleep. As someone dependent on opioids for pain, I know I would spare them if I could use cannabis, but it’s illegal in my state.

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

I definitely do not disagree. Personally I can’t use marijuana as it greatly increases my anxiety but I know MANY who it’s helped! Definitely needs to be legal. It’s FAR less harmful than half legally prescribed meds out there. People should at least have the option!

[@trowwzers5057]

Luckily, it’s legal here in Michigan and there are weed shops on every street corner. The THC/CBN/CBD gummies at 100mg helped so much

[@pamallinder3287]

My daughter died with prescribed by a doctor

[@vessietaylor]

Believe it or not, your story is common and needs to be out for people to know. I've taken a course in pharmacology. People trust physicians too easily. One must investigate and evaluate their physicians, their knowledge, and when prescribed, research what is given and read the tiny print... They should teach chidren chemistry and biology in elementary schools like they teach reading writing and arithmetic. I've watched many fall into many diseases taking perspiration prescribed. I've been threatened by security in hospitals while defending patient care as our oath dictates and was never removed but apologized to for their misconduct. Now medical help has worsen. Most of the well educated left due to not taking the covid jabs mandated. They filled positions with students and no elders to teach them correctly...just textbook knowledge. Today they must follow AI protocol and not what they know to be right to protect themselves. You seem highly intelligent.... Trust is something one must weigh out from knowledge and observations of those who were duped before use. When people hide themselves, nobody notices and they also will bite that worm on the hook. Your inspirational. There is light at the end of this tunnel.... God Bless your journey Sweetie. There will always be those who jump to conclusions. They will discover truth in time as well. They might even remember their ugly comments with regrets and be another type of light like you and everyone else who desires life for themselves and others. 🕊💞🕯👍🌱

[@Patricksbenzowithdrawal]

You are so right and thank you so much for your kind words!! It truly means a lot! This whole experience has definitely damaged my trust in the entire medical community. I’ve joked with my family that once I’m through this I’ll likely never set foot in a doctors office again😂. I mean realistically I know they can be very helpful in certain circumstances but you’re absolutely right we have to be very well informed and do the research on our own! Not just blindly take what’s advised and prescribed without being properly informed. How I WISH I’d done the research myself prior to all of this. But, lesson learned. I’ll definitely never take any medication again without knowing exactly what the risks/benefits can be! And truly, unless it’s life or death I’m pretty much over meds all together. In the last year going through this I haven’t taken as much as an ibuprofen. I’m just over it all!

[@vessietaylor]

@Patricksbenzowithdrawal Wisdom in every word you said. My 1st wake up was when my mother went on a diet using over the counter medication. I came home after school watching her clean a clean house top to bottom. When I asked her to stop, she said she couldn't till this wore off. Really freaky moment for a 12yr kid to wittness. Later that day I snuck into the drawer she had placed these diet pills and washed them down the bathroom drain. I didn't think it would clog up the sink. When my dad saw what was in the drain we all had a good laugh but I was still in trouble. I've had an amazing life. Been called foolish for loosing great opportunities for lesser. As a child of 3 I've witnessed unbelievable things. My mom thought I was a reincarnation of her ancestors in Japan because of the things that came out of my mouth. My dad was a federally employed teacher at Mammoth Cave Ky for the jo Job Corp. I learned a whole lot about the uneducated who dropped out of high school who had personality disorders due to the systems catalog of intelligence scoring. It's my belief that we all march to the same tune the media and politicians prescribe us and end up seeking things that might not be in our best interest. My father died believing in cures, so did my mother with covid. I found God was real in my 30s and was blown away. I suppose that's when people thought I lost my mind. I guess I did. I didn't find him thru a church but did attend one for study. I found him when I got angry that I was unable to read the bible without disruptions and threw it across 3 rooms into the garage and said fuck it. The next morning I woke up with clarity and thought I would read. From that day on, I woke up at 5 and was able to read 6 chapters, starting with Matt and no more, no matter how hard I would try. That whole experience was mystical, magical and wonderful. God is real. The 1st and Last. Alpha & Omega.... That was the voice I heard from Heaven. Nobody else heard it but it came from above and rushed thru every cell in my body like a computer download of info I couldn't understand... till it got to the part where I felt my mom parted away. That was when everything stopped pouring and it was lifted upwards and left me with pure joy.... unbelievably so. Had 3 wittnesss they felt something but didn't know what or where it came. Some say you can't find God without a priest like you can't have good health without healthcare. I say anyone who has the desire to seek God only needs to ask 1st to God, give an offering of self denial and bang on that door...knock is what they say, but I had to bang and some would agree they did as well. I have tested God out tobsee if he would keep all his promises, like testing the pool water for warmth. Sometimes I get answers quickly and some times it take many year's, but if you wait on it... it shows up if we are there to meet it and notice it was given. I could say more but I dare not. I might scare you or at worse someone might come along to pour hate on my life experiences like yours. Knowledge is something people thinks the world provides when it's in us all the time. Intelligence is born through desires of the heart...not from a college degree that can't be paid back or teach you how to mimic another's program. It is needful to have this knowledge but I don't remember reading anyone in the bible going to schools and universities but u have heard the greatest of all preachers who never finished high school teach and preach the word of God in its true form. I hope I give you a little insight through my experiences that might encourage you. Life is delicate. Making it have meaning and purpose is God's way of showing up. We fail, but He does not. 🕊💞🕯👍🌱

[@superdoobo]

Ignore the nit-wits in the comments section. (Yes that can include this comment.)

[@TheWellWithThreasa]

There are so many people who😊

[@jp32123]

who else thought this was Ali Gatie from the thumbnail?

[@jimferrill1790]

17% of all scripts are written for benzos as of today. 17%!!!

[@MisplacedMelonin]

Even if you take them as a doctor prescribes, it's still drug abuse, that's what we don't realize As Americans. Glad you're getting yourself clean. You got this.

[@bbdodge5151]

id suggest you shave if you want to e a women