What to expect: need to detox from Xanax avg 2 2mg tabs a day and 2 10 mg tabs Ambian.....

Im going into rehab for drinking and I have to get off the pills. Im a nervous wreck some days. Some days ill take 1 mg in the morning and 1 in the evening.(xanax) When im really nerved Ill sometimes take a 2 mg tab in the morning then split anoother one in the evening for a total of 4 mgs all day.

I take one 10 mg Ambian to go to sleep, then pop up 4-6 hrs later wide awake and take another. I wkae up like 4hrs later.

Any thoughts on how to go about detoxing with the least amount of pain. I know to wean myself off but how much, how long and any other info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

atedogs said...
Are you physcially going to a place to rehab or going to try it yourself. I checked into a hospital and was given valuim to keep from freaking and hurting. If you are doing it on you own go really slowly or it will make you physcially and mentally sick. Best thing to do is ask your doc or councellor. Good Luck Im clean 14 years and best thing I've done.

Im going to do it myself.
I just got a 4th offense DWI.(hadnt had a ticket in four and a haldf yrs then bam!
I was in a holding cell that was freezing and grossly overcrowded. I was detoxing from alcohol(20 yrs of drinking regularly, like every other day and detoxing from the xanax and ambian)
I was inthe holding cell for 8 days. Their detox cinsisted of 4 days. for two days they gave me a whole valium in the morning and evening for two days then the last two days they only gave me a half in the morning and night. It wasnyt enough at all. They had to rush me to the Emergency medical and give me a shot of Thorizine because i started hearing things. They then started giving me a valium in the morning and night plus a klonopin too. It helped a lil but i was still a wreck being in an overcrowded jail. Im clean cut, educated and am not jail type at all. I can hold my own but people can see the nervousness

I want to get myself off these meds in case I have to go to an inpatient rehab. I have severe anxiety but they said no Benzos. I attribute my depression to the circumstances ive put myself in....not a chemical imbalance. I could be wrong but when life goes smooth Im one of the happiest people you'd ever meet.

I havent had a drink in 38 days but do have cravings. More now than when i first started going without a drink. I dont understand that. Seems it would get easier.
Im exxtremely anxious because i have to depend on everybody around me...im forced to go to an AA meeting everyday but they took my licence, my girlfriend is getting agotated more easily(I know because of the situation) And my dad had to come out of pocket with $13,000.00. $3000.00 to get me out and 10,000.00 for a lawyer so i dont go to jail.
I need that Xanax. After 8 yrs of not having insurance and getting non-narcotic meds(Elvil) that just knock you out...finally I have insurance and a doctor that recognizes that xanax enables me to relax and function. Granted i went overboard on them and thats why the detoxing is so hard.

Thats my story, sorry so long but sometimes i just feel like the world is caving in on me.

Thanks so much for the concern.

Hi Rooster!
I'm not able to give any personal experiences as to what you're going thru, but I have to say this. You honestly need to talk all this over with a psychiatrist. You are doing so well and you need advice from someone that knows about these meds AND about your alcoholism. A shrink should be able to help. Please get professional guidance before making any concrete decisions about your meds. I wish you all the best and keep up the good work! My dad used to drink and he quitin the mid-80's. Although he passed away in 1998, the years left of his life was healthier because he stopped drinking. I hope you will continue to fight the cravings. You will be happier in the long run! :)
I wish you all the best!
janet

I will take your advice and sek out a Psychiatrist. Maybe I can get an anti depressant that will supress the anxiety as well.

Ive been on so many but never really stayed on em long enough. Seems like Effexor had the least sides. Lexapro literally made me lose my equilibrium at times. As was stated, everyone is different.

Xanax helps so much at first with quelling my anxiety but then im lethargic yet not tired in a way that I would take a nap. I havent found anything that comes close other than other Benzos yet, like i mentioned I havent stayed on the anti depressants long enough for them to be fully effective.

Sorry so long on my post and it means alot that people are willing to read all that I have written and are willing to give advice. That in itself is an anti depressant.

Thank you all and I hope I don't offend but if you believe....God Bless.

I look forward to getting to know all of youn and maybe contributing as well.

Rooster, In 1994 I went into treatment for alcohol/cocaine addiction, I was also taking Xanax to take the morning after "edge"off. They automatically put me in a very cold room to help me de-tox, actually they were more concerned about my Xanax (by the way my doctor prescribed) use, more than my cocaine and alcohol because as they explained to me, if you suddenly stop taking Xanax you are at risk for seizures and I was only taking 2 (0.5mg) a day. They put me on Fenna Barbitall, (that is spelt incorrectly) to help me de-tox off of the Xanax. I thought it was sorta ironic, I was doing a 8-ball of coke a day, and drinking a large bottle of Jaegermister a day and they are worried about something my own doctor prescribed. I spent 30 days in re-hab, and other than a few slips with the alcohol, (no cocaine for 12 years),(no alcohol for 5 years), life is much better, its no fun going through life a drunk. I still have to take a half of Xanax (0.5) in the mornings for panic attacks.My suggestion is get some support if you really want to quit, it will work if you work it....good luck!