Mayo Clinic has a tapering schedule online. I printed it off and gave it to my doctor. My doctor and I followed the Mayo guidelines 'to the letter.' My doctor listened to my concerns, memory issues, falling, physical dependency, not wanting to take more Valium but less, etc., but he was not informed as I was about the process or the negative side effects of both taking the medication and not taking the medication. My doctor said, "but Valium is a Class 4" medication, which means it is downgraded and he did not think it was TOO physically addicting, which in my case it is. I envy people who after years can just stop 'cold turkey' and have little to know side effects. This was not the case for me as I have always been hypersensitive to substances. I have a great doctor, but he is "old school" and listened to the pharmaceutical companies regarding medication. He helped me get off oxycodone, which he had prescribed to me as he was told it was not addicting by the manufacture. I have found in this age, I need to advocate for myself and become well informed about what I put in my body. A pill is no longer a quick fix for me. I have had to change my lifestyle and dally routine, but it has been all good. Please stay in touch and let me know how it goes for you.