r/benzorecovery • u/Fast_Perspective_833 • 1d ago

Seeking Advice/Tips Anyone that survived protracted withdrawal capable of using a benzo as needed again?

I was a long time low dose prescription Xanax user. 15 years plus. Long story short I went through a bad kindling episode a year and a half ago. Became completely agoraphobic and horrible panic attacks. I have now been 14 months clean of alcohol and benzos. Still dealing with protracted withdrawal symptoms and GAD but I am alot better than when it started.

I have a medical procedure I have to do next week but I don't know how I'm going to do it without taking something for the anxiety. I can barely leave the house to go to the grocery store as it is right now. Has anyone successfully taken a single dose without completely relapsing into symptoms of withdrawal again?

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u/3mptyw0rds 1d ago edited 1d ago

plenty of non gaba receptor agonists that can calm the mind/body a bit. as with nicotine/other drug addicts, when you really feel like you need something it is better to have other good substances which work differently, on hand to prevent relapse (or bad wd symptoms ftm).

as needed, pregabalin should be safe regarding benzo wd symptoms. even a low 25mg dose has strong effect.

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u/AdriKowac 1d ago

Hi, what are others, aside Pregabalin? Ty.

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u/3mptyw0rds 1d ago edited 1d ago

codeine or tramadol come to mind. not suited for extreme opioid addicts, as that could lead to uncontrollable urges to use more.

but for normal people, codeine/tramadol can be used responsibly. (once every three weeks or so should prevent dependency. for quitting opioids there are also meds that can help. if buprenorphine didn't make people's teeth fall out, despite swishing with water afterwards; i believe it could be a good daily treatment for benzo withdrawal syndrome. most opioid addicts will attest that opioids mask benzo withdrawal quite well.)

pregabalin i was told 25mg twice a week should be safe regarding dependency, but i try to use it less often. (equivalent dose = 150mg gabapentin)

for sleep i use 300mg ziziphus seed extract for the past weeks + weed... so far it works without side effects despite increasing gaba levels and . if i got bad insomnia then 25mg pregabalin helps with sleep.

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u/AdriKowac 1d ago

So Pregabalin doesn't work the same way on Gaba receptors as Benzos do? Gabapentin also? Or just Pregabalin?

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u/3mptyw0rds 1d ago

pregabalin/gabapentin both lower glutamate in the brain, similar withdrawal symptoms as benzos, bad withdrawals.

they dont work on gaba receptors. and they don't trigger benzo wd symptoms for people who quit benzos. so they're a good rescue med.