Any positive stories about Benzo tapering? I need hope

I took Xanax nightly for 6 years for sleep. Every time i filled the script i would ask my doctor, are you sure it is okay for me to take this every night? 'Sure it's a very low dose,' she would answer. Here i am years later - 4 weeks out from a medical detox. The insomnia was so bad, it was horrendous.
I am now unfortunately 1 month on Gabapentin and I have to take a sleeping pill every night to sleep and these pills have lots of side effects, in my opinion. However, I cannot sleep without a sleeping pill. So, I have gone from one controlled substance to another and am scared, quite frankly. The doctors keep telling me it is okay to rock back and forth between Sonata and Lunesta. I sure hope it is, because i have heard that before.
I now need something to help me sleep - and get off these sleeping pills.
I read somewhere that there is an antidepressant that is used to help with sleep when dealing with Xanax rebound insomnia. if you know about this, please let me know. I do not want to stay on the sleeping pills....

Please be careful with the gabapentin. You’re going to have to taper off that and it’s not easy. Did the detox center put you on the gabapentin? Detox is not a good choice for coming off Benzos. Long, slow tapers at home is usually your best bet. I don’t know of any antidepressant that would be helpful for insomnia. Maybe someone else can jump in here.

L-Theanine is useful for tapering. It's very relaxing without making you sleepy.

I did a Clonzepam taper last year after being on it for 20 years. It was difficult but I think what helped me most was believing I could do it. I would advise keeping a close eye on your symptoms and moods. I was very resistant to taking additional medications to help with the withdrawal symptoms. In fact it didn't even occur to me. I believe I would have had an easier time if I had thought to pursue this possibility. Regardless, I did do it! I did need to strengthen other coping skills to deal with my anxiety but it is going well.

Yes. Success with me. I had a seizure risk from a craniotomy done in 2024. I was on clonazepam many years before for anxiety. In 2017 my taper off clonazepam began under medical supervision. My neurologist and PCP. It took almost 8 months. I had no problems other than the increased risk of seizures. I was also on topiramate for seizure prophylaxis. The taper was successful and I have never returned to benzidiazepines. Almost immediately my cognitive skills critical thinking improved. You can do this.

In addition to the very real biological basis for difficult tapering and withdrawal, there is also the psychological aspect. As you begin to wean your physical body off of the substance, your mind begins to feel threatened by the conscious reality that you are in fact, reducing the substance that you know helps you in many ways. It is a battle of the mind versus the body, but if you do it slow enough and with a caring and skilled practitioner, it is possible.

Yes. I got off Ativan after 15 years and did it in medically assisted detox and in a residential treatment program. I am currently on Naltrexone for AUD and it helps.

You are not addicted, you are physically dependent. There’s a big difference. Try to track down an addiction psychiatrist somewhere near you and have them put you on the proper taper. It can be done without the misery if you go extremely slow and dedicate yourself to at least a 12 month process. I have been there And it works with the right person guiding you. Best of luck.