How am I going to manage getting cut off my Valium after years?

You send benzo patients to detox facilities? All benzo organizations I know of, as well as most of what I have read, say that a detox facility is not an appropriate placement for a prescribed benzo patient. They speak of emerging from the facility in full blown withdrawal, many now on new cocktails of drugs that in themselves can create withdrawal nightmares.

Coming off benzo is a very slow process, months to years. Can't stay in detox that long. My relative was detoxed from Klonopin he had been taking for years in 3.5 weeks, might as well have been cold turkey; he was a train wreck for so long after that - so sick with withdrawal.

There is no drug proven to attenuate the symptoms of benzo withdrawal, as there is for alcohol and opiate withdrawal; there is only time. Could you explain the process for coming off benzos in a detox facility? How long is the stay? What medication is used to assist the withdrawal?

I would caution prescribed benzo patients to do their homework before entering a detox facility.

Hi Laura! Yes, I know of "benzo" patients being admitted. I must expand on that by stating that the patients are admitted to an Inpatient Treatment facility, with the medically supervised Detox Unit being the first step. Much like the treatment for Opioid addiction. I cannot detail the withdrawal/initial detox treatment process as I work only with Outpatient. Once the patient completes 30 to 90 days in Inpatient, they move to an Intermediate/Ambulatory situation where they go home but attend 8 hours of treatment, 5 days per week. Then they attend the Outpatient program which varies in length. This is where I work, as a counselor.
So, as you can see, it is quite a process, as is any such treatment. Also this is just another option.

I didn't realize benzo withdrawal was so bad for some people. I was on 1mg of Ativan per day for 14 years. It stopped working due to tolerance. Since it didn't work I stopped taking it. Only withdrawal symptom was insomia (which i already had). I feel lucky. Wonder why its so bad for some? 25 mg of Zoloft now for the anxiety, 3 weeks in, and it seems to be working. Not happy about having to take an AD though.

Any way, as for MS diagnosis, most mainstream doctors will probably not tell you this but MS can be treated naturally. Dr. Terry Wahls reversed her MS. From being in a wheelchair to riding a bicycle 18 miles after 1 year of treatment. Easy to find the information online. Just search on her name. I have Hashimotos, also an immune disease. I went on her protocol for 3 months and never felt better. My antibody numbers went back to normal. However, (and isn't there always one), the protocol is strict and hard to follow, but CAN be done.

I have been taking valium for over 50 + years and was put in many antidepressants that caused more anxiety than i had before.at first i was on a high dose. than when I informed that it would in the future be less available .I cut back my doses to halve and than one quarter. again I tried antidepressants made my anxiety worse. so I will continue to take the my same dose. my life is some what good and i' m elderly. not to use it makes me stay indoors. because i can't function. signed on for TMS but was told I wasn't eligible.so I will continue on my dose. life isn't fair but it's my life others not others. valium kept me out of the hospital for 50 + years .before shock treatment on my hospital stays with little help.

I totally agree with you !I follow and take only as prescribed.

Is there anyone out there who have had years long struggle getting off benzos? I’m a 77-year-old retired teacher who began taking benzos of various kinds for 24 years. I’ve only taken them due to severe insomnia. After seeing numerous doc, therapists (including my wife) I began seeing an addiction doc. Began a year ago and have dropped from 20 mg. Valium to 5. It has been hellish and at times I’ve fudged a bit and temporarily raised my dosage. The point is my sleep is terrible, at no matter what dosage. I average 3-4 hours a night. Need sleep badly.

A definitely rough year you must have had, I am sorry to hear how you have suffered from going down to 5 mg. from 20 mg., this is a huge taper to endure. I would like to know if you were tapering your Valium with a doctor’s help, specifically a doctor or other medical professional who has experience with this kind of thing. Sadly there are more and more of us that are struggling like you with the same symptoms due to benzo withdrawal and there are numerous brands with different durations but the addictive side is probably the same. I also hear many people say that they can’t sleep and that’s stressful so it makes everything harder. I’m not a medical professional, just another person who’s also trying to get off this medication..have you mentioned your problem sleeping to the doctor, maybe you need something else to help you cope better…I hope that you can get more help and that you feel better soon.

Thank you for your kind reply. Yes, I’ve always had medical supervision when it came to tapering but sadly most have little understanding of insomnia. Tried so many different approaches. Finally, this addiction doc has been great, understanding that I got into this mess only because I have always had insomnia and use the med strictly for sleep. Honestly, it is pure hell. I sometimes forget that I’m not alone on this journey. Thanks for the reminder.

There’s really no need, comfort in numbers can only go so far when it comes to personal pain.

My question is: did you want to go off valium? Did you experience negative consequences while taking it for so many years?
If the answers to both questions are NO, maybe its a "if it's not broke don't fix it scenario"?