What Are The Long Term Effects Of Benzodiazepines?

[@danielharris6687]

My parents treated my reaction to their abusive and neglectful behavior by having a doctor put me on 2.5mg of clonopin when I was 15. By the time I was 20 my brain went into severe withdrawal and I spent two years fighting for my life through the withdrawals, recovering from an iatrogenic brain injury. I'm 28 now and I haven't spoken to my parents in 7 months. They don't even know where me and my wife are living. I am glad to be rid of them.

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

Sounds justified actually

[@shulamay]

2.5mg?! That's crazy! :( That would be a crazy dose even for one time and they had you taking it daily? That's horribly irresponsible. I'm so sorry.

[@jenjackmarcucci]

I'm so sorry you have suffered. Stay away from them. They are destructive.

[@truthseek3017]

Call them and visit

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

@@truthseek3017 from her tone I don’t think so

[@markcollins1012]

All the side effects you list on here perfectly describe my functioning BEFORE going on benzos. Lol. Low levels of benzos can be life changing in very positive ways.

[@petermonis4616]

Exactly, never stop taking it though, and have months of it available and stored in case of need, never run off

[@mukulk1185]

Well it is the only thing able to stop my panic attacks.

[@soundsbitter]

The trick is to never take them every day for long periods of time. You take them for three four days and then stop for a week then choose three days a week to use your benzo. Never get yourself physically addicted to them .

[@nickdaskalakis9289]

Yes that’s same advice I was given. Much safer

[@soundsbitter]

It’s the only way

[@Username137-e8d]

Ya some people are so weak minded they “need” a benzodiazepine they “need” a cigarette (nicotine) they need a hoot of marijuana to escape reality they”need”to have a drink every weekend to escape life for a moment over and over again people need to stop being such wussy’s . Me I’ll do a Ativan once in a while if I know I’m going to be around vapours that I know are going to affect my sleep or eating something I know will affect my sleep like chocolate I’ll take and Ativan and once I’m out I’m out not getting again I got giving them to me was never prescribed

[@1MacDog]

@usar111 not true for me anyway, I've taken them for over 20 years & have had no problems, they have improved my life from anxiety heck.

[@petermonis4616]

​@@1MacDogExactly, the trick is always having backup for months, not making such crazy state for brain to be in by taking it 3 days out of week... And then let the brain start making its own serotonin, and then when it starts making it, already 4 days of not taking it came by and you are taking it again .. bs in my opinion... But taking tolerance breaks, and lowering the dose for that days or not taking anything, seem more reasonable for me.❤

[@noobslayer10101]

Mother's little helper was valium not Xanax

[@the7thlettr167]

Same thing different mechanism of action.

[@djek1976]

Barb's

[@velocitygirl8551]

WAS… not anymore.

[@petermonis4616]

Not the same thing at all, the fck? 😂 Same class of drugs, similar mechanism of action, but not the same, at all

[@slhilliard]

My shrink prescribed them to me for over a decade. I finally titrated off of them on my own using the Ashton manual. Took me about 3 years doing it at my own pace - so hard - but so worth it to be free... I just hope it didn't damage my brain permanently - e.g. more likely to have dementia in old age, etc.

[@jeffzest8393]

Why did you get off given the difficulty withdrawing? The dementia risk has not been proven.

[@slhilliard]

@@jeffzest8393 My reason for starting them was long gone. Why would I keep medicating myself... regret ever touching those pills...

[@blairsterling6141]

Congratulations for tampering...90% of people cannot do it. They can't get off benzos... much more brain changing than any other drug, ever !!!

[@annalucy89]

@@jeffzest8393 I think the dementia part is actually a very real threat. You already have horrible short term and long term memory loss when using Benzo's so it would make perfect sense that it would affect that part of the brain that eventually you damage with long term use. I'm stuck on them myself right now because of other withdrawals I'm going through as to help me through that and because I have such massive anxiety and panic attack disorder but I want off these meds as soon as possible. So I completely understanding wanting off that shit! I'll be starting a taper in November that's going to take at least 6 months with my doctor just because of how difficult it is to get off them without going through the worst of the withdrawals. But it can literally take the brain years to heal and that fact alone is depressing as hell!

[@Username137-e8d]

You have more of a chance of getting dementia from doing mdma everyday for long periods of time like I did then getting dementia from benzodiazepines

[@bjornrockettansky3077]

That is really strange, I myself have taken a variety of benzos over the years for PTSD and anxiety when I got out of the army. But the one that works best for me is clorazepate all the other ones get me way trashed but anyway, I never had that issue I've been taking clorazepate for about 3 years now and I've always been able to just not take it if I don't want to and never had any issues with withdrawal or anything. I know benzos can be extremely addictive but for some reason my body just doesn't pick up on that part LOL

[@beautyneytiri]

i don't want to claim anything for others, but benzodiazepines have saved me.

[@juanjllo2403]

Only way i can stay clean from doing really dangerous combinations, not have panic attacks back 2 back is with a low dose of benzos and occasionally smoke pot, and different kinds of meds but sometimes i findmyself shaking and have to stop whatever I'm doing to calm myself and sometimes i have suicidal thoughts but my life is better than it was before and a low dose of benzos as maintenance is being the key of my recovery

[@christianefiorito3204]

Me too and after almost 40 years I have no desire coming off. I am not irritable and neither grumpy. Before I toook them in my youth I was almos daily suicidal

[@SaoirsenahÉireann1]

Yes indeed, Ive a mojor problem with my bladder, in and out of hospital, no cure, and after 6 years on continual broken sleep ( had to give up work, my long term relationship suffered greatly).. I was actually a zombie...a living zombie..I took Halcion for sleep....it changed my life. I could actually function during the day, was alert, do ordinary things, beccause I could sleep

[@lynettetamblyn165]

Me too

[@GöranÅgren]

Please!!!!! think!!!!! why would it came up as a big problem if nearly al only have problems when they used it for a to long time! are u paid by the fucking pharmas!

[@darkdeepdepressed]

My doctor prescribed me without ever warning me of the withdrawals id get when stopping it and the side effects I've been going thru withdrawals for over a year now it's been hell

[@benrogers84]

I swear benzos are the most addictive class of drug! The physical dependence Benzodiazepine medications can cause is very strong and the WD symptoms seem like they will never end plus there are so many of them! Insomnia, restlessness, paranoia, depersonlisation, agoraphobia, anxiety, sleep disorders etc cetera plus even psychotic episodes. I feel for you and know just how bad the WD from benzos is as I was prescribed them for over 18 years....started on Lorazepam and Z drug Zopiclone then after a few months I started suffering interdose WD symptoms so my Doctor prescribed Diazepam and Temazepam then Nitrazepam replaced the Temazepam then that stopped working so he prescribed me Zolpidem. Glad to say I'm 18 months free from Benzo's, z drugs and Methadone. I managed to go cold turkey (not recommended) from 30mg Diazepam + 1mg Clonazepam + 7.5mg Zopiclone plus not related to benzos but this greatly exacerbated my CT WD symptoms, 80mg liquid Methadone. Also stopped 2 BP meds and Trazozone all at the same time.

[@blairsterling6141]

Nothing is more difficult than weening off of benzos. 90% of people cannot do it.. benzos are much much worse than any street drug or opioid !!!

[@guntherwheeler_]

also xenophobia

[@petermonis4616]

Trick is to don't come off of them

[@beautyneytiri]

oh no, my brain is never trying to make me feel calm and relaxed. it sees problems in EVERYTHING. things that don't make sense at all, things that are no problem what so ever feel like a life or death situation to me. in other words very severe ocd. so yea... before i took benzodiazepines my brain was a literal danger to me. seriously, i even avoided using my right arm completely for a while... even when riding a bike and everything. i have even let myself fall against things because my brain could NOT deal with using my right arm.

[@dandyfi4076]

I’ve been taking half a milligram of Xanax 2-3 times per week on average for a few years. At different times I’ve taken smaller and larger amounts but this seems to be the perfect amount for not developing a tolerance or dependence upon it. It has been incredibly helpful to me enabling me to sleep during times of stress and anxiety with no side effects at this dosage!

[@maxxxgsd]

That’s the way ! Smart and in control.

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

I dont like Xanax at all

[@dandyfi4076]

When I go on vacation for two weeks in the Summer I skip my doses and have no problems whatsoever…

[@frederickmuhlbauer9477]

@@dandyfi4076 evidently you are wired differently I only took it for a month and when I quit suddenly I became psychotic Very scary

[@maihoang8567]

​@@dandyfi4076 Then why do you need them ?

[@jeffzest8393]

Glad you put the proper knowledge and perspective. Benzodiazepines are safe and effective when taken as directed. The problem comes if either you are one of the few who become dependent and has side effects, or one of few who develops and tolerance, or are forced to discontinue, especially rapidly. No one should be forced off of benzodiazepines against their desires. The same effect occurs with testosterones supplementation.

[@anaksunamoon8618]

No. They are NOT safe and effective. And they are NOT just a few who got addicted. You clearly know NOTHING about this medication. There are hundreds of thousands of people who have suffered getting off this nasty drug. This should be taken off the market and no one should ever be prescribed this

[@MattMendians]

Very hard I think! I say I think cause it’s been a year now since 3 mgs of Xanax for about 14 years and 45 mgs of Adderall! I think I’m starting to feel a little better but still tremors, twitching, nausea and fatigue!

[@myaccount9498]

Congratulations on getting off of them! An incredible achievement for u 🏆❤

[@MattMendians]

@@myaccount9498 Thank you so much!

[@fonzarellyplay370]

Did you do both everyday

[@MattMendians]

@@fonzarellyplay370 Yes! Was prescribed

[@bennieben4637]

If you want to stop (not cold turkey) but stop taking benzos, also ask your dr about phenobarbital, im on Klonopin rn and phenobarbital really helped, but its also addicting. So be careful

[@HCM1986]

I’m sorry but that’s horrible advice. You don’t take something else addicting to come off benzodiazepines. Nothing much helps benzodiazepine withdrawal except grit and determination.

[@bennieben4637]

@@HCM1986 I'm talking from experience, are you? Cuz I had phenobarbital to help with my benzo withdrawals and it worked wonders. So miss me with that "terrible advice" bs cuz I'm actually speaking from experience. U however doubt.

[@lynettetamblyn165]

What about all other medicines for all other organs?.....some of us are in dire need of them, you have never been in such a place Sir....so dont judge. If my husband stopped taking cholesterol meds, he would be dead, what about diabetics?.... Mental health is no different.

[@ethancowart6765]

Yea the only value in them is if you were already hooked on them before you get treatment and you also were in a traumatic injury . And you just need to then to recover from the injury. Cuz if you can’t recover from an injury or disease if your super anxious all the time and feeling like crap from benzo withdrawl.

[@iconstudy7474]

For anxiety, one could be prescribed Propraponolol

[@paulo0e]

Yeah, but not always. Propranolol use for that is off-label, isn’t it? It didn’t work for me at all when I tried it, maybe because my blood pressure is already normal to low, I don’t know. I’m on a daily benzo use phase now for a few months for generalized anxiety and tapering off slowly, but I’m also doing psychotherapy and had a recent prescription to take pregabalin, which has really alleviated the withdrawal symptoms. Btw pregabalin has licensed indication for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, and I also take it for a little neurological issue I have (it’s an anticonvulsant drug), so it’s been great for me.

[@iconstudy7474]

@@paulo0e have yu tried buspirone? I think most people don't know about this med

[@iconstudy7474]

​@@paulo0every dangerous. I forget things even in seconds and lots of issues which r permanent

[@clouddz]

lol

[@Username137-e8d]

How long does it take for your brain to stop making that relax chemical or in other words how long does it take for to become physically or mentally addicted where like said it makes you not be able to sleep because it’s like a withdrawal symptom like not being able to make calm down chemical without it?

[@gilllawson2214]

I’ve been taking 1 mg Xanax a day for 2 years. How hard is it going to be to get off ? Best wishes to everyone

[@zephyrr108]

Depends man. If you are an anxious individual it will be a ride.

[@MultiFixman]

@@zephyrr108 for sure it will be

[@angelwings7930]

Just do it gradually.

[@Shattered-Realm]

get a pill cutter and cut them into quarters. Your brain won't actually notice. You will and get anxious about it but just keep doing it night after night. Eventually your brain will realize those extra 250 mcg really aren't a big deal. Repeat said process every 2-4 weeks.

[@criticaloptimist]

They can prescribe you .25 mg pills that you can subdivide into halves too. It’s worth getting started with it.

[@samstuart9800]

This explanation is very simplistic, tip of the iceberg.

[@beautyneytiri]

luckely i never got addicted to them though. even when i stopped taking them my ocd stayed away. so i don't know how to explain that. don't get my wrong, i do have SEVERE ocd by nature... ever since i can remember my life was HORRIBLE because of it. so in my case it doesn't seem to have a cause, i've ALWAYS had it. in my case i apparantly needed benzodiazepines to make my brain function in a normal way.

[@wendylarman7204]

Does coming off benzos cold turkey in one day usually make protracted withdrawal a lot longer?

[@jeffzest8393]

Yes; further, you can die going cold turkey.

[@darkdeepdepressed]

I've heard it does

[@HCM1986]

Absolutely. I cold turkeyed and had two years of protractive withdrawals

[@helensadeik400]

It can cause fitting, high BP and the list goes on. Better to taper off with help of a doctor or nurse practitioner who deals with addiction

[@clouddz]

Not really, because you will probably die from a seizure within a week.

[@ethancowart6765]

That is crazy that they actually advertised them as non addictive ! Blows my mind still. They were prolly on benzos when they did all the advertisements it seems.

[@jeffzest8393]

Well, Physicians' Desk Reference use to say sexual side effects with SSRI's was 3% while more like 97%. Lot of doctors still not informing patients properly.

[@joosiekawk]

been taking benzos for almost 4 years straight, every single day. at least 4-8mg of Xanax/etizolam along side clonazepam, sometimes more than 10mg, and many times with over 3500mg of phenibut. my mental life is RUINED. i will never be able to taper off. i tried to cold turkey (lasted 3 days) then i HAD to take a bunch and i felt an instant relief.... the worst part? im not even on a script! after my stash is out, im probably gonna die from withdrawal or something. PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THESE THINGS.

[@paulo0e]

Well, cold turkey doesn’t look like a good idea for any psychotropic drug, anyway, right? My experience with daily alprazolam is on a few months only, I had one phase of such many years ago and another one is going on at this moment, although I’m on antidepressants for 2 decades now, with the benzo generally just once in a while. Oh now I’m on pregabalin too, for I have a little neurological problem and it treats generalized anxiety as well, so it’s been really easier to taper the benzo off than before. The thing is, I’d like to say there are people who used benzos daily for more then a decade and were able to taper them off, maybe in a very planned and strict fashion, which probably also demanded important lifestyle changes, but it was possible. Don’t forget our brain is plastic, and maybe you’ll just need the help of a practitioner experienced in addiction. May you find your way out of these drugs! Best wishes

[@dominicsaad4103]

😂 You’re a special kind of stupid my friend, god bless you.

[@slhilliard]

I took them daily for 10 plus years. You can titrate off. Google the Ashton manual and see if it might help you... it's what I used and it took a a few years to do it slowly...

[@petermonis4616]

Mother's little helper was valium (diazepam) not alprazolam (also called xanax for dumb Americans)

[@justinsalazar1470]

He didn't say ban them

[@1MacDog]

Highly disagree with this man. Lorazepam has saved my life from a living hell of severe anxiety, etc. ! Ill never quit taking it! It has no side effects for me. i take it as prescribed unlike other people that ruin it for everyone!!! 4 mg a day. 20 yrs+ Works for me for my severe anxiety, insomnia etc.

[@frederickhewlett9044]

I’m afraid your all out war with these Demons is yet to come ,,I wish you well !!

[@1MacDog]

@@frederickhewlett9044 I don't think so I've never had any issues. Thanks for wishing me well.

[@maripeterson1762]

You will hit tolerance Im twenty years on one mg and have been in tolerance for 15 years I refuse to updose I’m getting off this evil crap .

[@maripeterson1762]

It’s coming the dr will only prescribe so many mg than the shit hits the fan taper before hell begins I know I’m on x and in hell

[@1MacDog]

@@maripeterson1762 I've been on & off it before so I understand what your getting at as the withdrawals r heck. I was put right back on it as my anxiety, etc. is severe. I know what your saying some Drs. don't want people to stay on it because of the DEA. It's not right that the drug abusers ruin things for people like me that want to keep taking it & that it helps a lot. Take care.

[@meganstewart4806]

I will stand by this statement until the day I die. Benzos have the worst side effects through long term use than opiates do (and they aren’t any better). Xanax is horrible and I was on it for over a year prescribed by my doctor and I still struggle with my brain’s dopamine and GAMA

[@middel_life]

Remember for all Adviser, Don't claimed on any comical history or use, Someone die is not matter 🙂

[@blairsterling6141]

At the end of the video he says : " Avoid Benzos like the plague." So... All doctors NEED TO BE EDUCATED !!!!! Do not give any Benzos out to anyone !!! Never !!! Remember, DO NO HARM !!!!!!!! 😡😡😡😡🤬

[@paulo0e]

Indeed, people need more physical exercise, going out with friends, psychotherapy… and less psychotropics, I suppose. But doctors don’t tell us that. We learn the hard way, as it seems

[@petermonis4616]

Bs... Rather don't even go to the doctor and prescribe yourself whatever is needed to be a full functioning member of the society... And guys, please read something on critical thinking and making your own opinion not pushing the mainstream... America is the only place, where it is "over prescribed" , the whole world is literally agains benzos starting with psychiatrists.

[@petermonis4616]

Why would you need your brain making your own "calming agents" when you have one dollar pill a day for that, never understood it

[@HarpreetSingh-ee3lg]

It’s the worst medicine to be prescribed with permanent damage!

[@sarabsingh1468]

what are your damages?

[@caliblue2]

I agree! It has ruined every person I know on it!

[@jamesmoore5630]

I take 6mg a day of Xanax and I never expected to have to stop taking them.(I have been taking them for 22 years.) I have Aspergers syndrome and I will just sit and shudder and shake without them. The issue is repeated withdrawals from "The Drug Store," bumping the day of refill up on me by three days. Three days of green bile, no water and no food. After my broken leg, I have 6 other Rx's and for the last 5 months the pharmacists have had the Xanax filled on the date promised. They also have a new app that shows the day of refill!!!🤔🤫 It makes it harder for them to lie about the date. I would tell anyone wanting to stop these benzodiazapines that they need to allow about a year to stop them. Also, it is easier to go from 2mg, to 1mg, then .5mg, then .25mg. EVERY 4-6 hours!!! The last day you can even break a 1mg into .125mg!!! That's eight doses!!!😃 Brother James Kendall Moore OSB OFS OSC ✝️

[@driventoaccount3276]

This is not an appropriate withdrawal approach. You shouldn’t titrate that quickly, certainly not in days. And those big jumps, like from one to two or reverse, is much more dangerous than half a milly to point one seven five.

[@junkettarp8942]

Freedom from Benzos.

[@Slickone-wk9mc]

Shit, remind not to see this doctor

[@jeffzest8393]

Summary: No long term effects

[@darkdeepdepressed]

That's total BS

[@polycrase]

I'm surprised with all the knowledge of these poisons anyone still takes them.

[@AnAutisticIntervert]

Safe my ass !

[@timmejia138]

you have no clue doc

[@AhmedDeedatPalestine]

Explain that to my beautiful brain lol

[@syntholshoulders1842]

hes right BAN BENZOS

[@noobslayer10101]

Ban them? That's insane. Should we ban painkillers too? Should we ban alcohol? We already know where that leads. Banning these drugs only creates a black market in which who knows what you can get? In my country counterfeit xanax is a huge problem some people don't even realize Pfizer doesn't make bars that say "XANAX" on them anymore their patent long ran out. Banning these substances will only cause addicts to go to the black market even recreational users. For those who want to taper off how do you help them if you ban them? I know you mean well saying this but that's just not realistic I'm sorry to say.

[@Rollwithit699]

YEA, DEFINITELY! Evil drugs!

[@syntholshoulders1842]

@@Rollwithit699 they are mind altering durga not in a good way they compleletfe mess your mind brain consciousness EXPERT ARE NOT EXPERT THEY DONT KNOW SH1T UNTIL THEY GONE THRU THW GRUESOME WITHDRAWL OR BIND ITS HORRIFIC ITS DANGEROUS ABS INHUMANE

[@jeffzest8393]

Huh? He said safe.

[@jeffzest8393]

@@syntholshoulders1842 They are not mind alerting at all. Not hallucinating drugd.