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.