@arthur57 I am one that sides with the doctors on short term use of these meds. I was on clonazepam for 12 years. One day my psychiatrist told me it was time to start getting off. I kicked n screamed, argued that these meds were "the only thing that worked for me". She wasn't going to budge. I've now been off those meds at least 10 years. It forced me to find other things that worked. And guess what? It was the best thing she ever did was force me off. The change in me was like night n day. My ex was a witness to this. I went from hardly having any energy low mood, to completely different. I had been taking .5 twice a day for 12 years. I did not misuse them.
The longer we take those meds the more our brain convinces us "we need it and it's the only thing that works". I found Marijuana. I then found a stronger form of it called shatter. I now use that to control my anxiety. And now I'd much rather use that most of the time then any pill. If my anxiety does peak really high my doctor will give me a supply of 10 Ativan. That I only get a maximum of twice in one year. I asked for it to be done that way bc of how dependant I got from the clonazepam. Did I get dependant on those meds? I absolutely did and I had no idea that I had.
20 years ago I met a man and I was on those meds still. Well he liked how they made him feel and 20 years later he's still on them saying the exact same thing I said- its the only thing that works. When i met this guy he didn't even have anxiety. Had never taken these meds before. I will forever blame myself that i got him started. And so, I get extremely concerned when I hear people say that. It sounds like something an addict would say. I saw above where a woman said she's tried every other med and nothing else works. Have u tried things that aren't medication?? I dunno just my 2 cents. There are many many other ways to combat anxiety other than medication. Another thing I've discovered is the coldest water u can get outta your sink, let it run for a bit, and then splash it all over the back of your neck. That's another thing that works. There are so many other ways to get through this. Mj doesn't work for everyone but I've seen quite a few replies in fb that agree with me.
I'm extremely happy these doctors are realizing just how detrimental these meds can be.
Ps: yes the withdrawal isn't fun. And yes your brain can go a little crazy. By the time I was off them, 3 months was when everything really settled. Give it time for your brain to settle before u think about giving up. They really mess with your mind.