What’s the best way to overcome benzodiazepine addiction?
McDi
A friend of mine has been taking Loram (or otherwise known Lorazepam) to control her stress and restless nights. But now I see her taking it all the time, like it’s the answer to everything. How can I help her?
Tags: Lorazepam, Restless Nights
October 15th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
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you can’t help her. u can only suggest that she tries to stop it. if it’s beyond the point where she can’t on her own, she’ll have to check into a detox unit n get flushed out. after that if she still can’t stop suggest that she go to N.A. Narcotics Anonymous. hope it hasn’t got to that point. pill habits r 1 of the worst because u can always get a script.
October 18th, 2009 at 1:07 am
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Leave her alone! She may have enough anxiety that she needs to take it all the time.
If she does ever decide to stop taking lorazepam, it’s important to taper off slowly and not just stop suddenly. Otherwise you can have seizures and other problems.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
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yes u contect narcotic anonymouse self help program
October 20th, 2009 at 8:24 am
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the last thing this freind needs is any pressure - Id have a freindly general chat ask if she feels as stressed as she was & why this is do say that you are only asking as a freind & that you care & want to help if you can - one idea would be suggest going out together swimming its good excercise & would use up alot of her stress…….finally if & when she seems she can cut down on this drug I suggest its done very gradually shaving little bits of the tablets to manage on slightly less - but it is something a doctor really needs to supervise too……good luck, your freind is lucky to have someone who cares & wants to help
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:22 am
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remind her that there is an end of anxiety in a way but there is no returning back of addiction.
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
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First and foremost, your friend has to acknowledge and accept that she has an addiction to Lorazepam. Once she’s willing to do that, she also has to be willing and accepting of help to recover from her addiction. The first measure should be to discuss with her prescribing phyisican the issue(s) at hand and try to find out why she feels she needs the medication so frequently. Perhaps her level of anxiety has increased and if coupled with depression, perhaps a medication change or addition is in order.
If she decides to stop taking the medication, it must be tapered off. Once a person has been taking a benzodiazipine for as little as five days consecutively, if they stop suddenly, the risk of seizure activity is not only present, but likely. If she’s been taking increasing and more frequent doses, she will more than likely need medical supervision to safely detoxify from the medication. If it’s been going on for awhile, she may need the help of a substance abuse center that has a medically supervised detoxification center within it where her vitals can be checked regularly and she can be monitored for any possible seizure activity. In this arena, she will also receive support and tools for maintaining her sobriety and learning to recognize triggers that may tempt her to return to using. She must identify the reason(s) she is experiencing so much anxiety and restlessness and learn alternate ways in dealing with them.
Benzodiazipine addiction is one of the hardest to overcome, but it can be done. The first step for your friend is to admit that she has a problem and then seek help. The best thing you can do for her, is to support her but be willing to be up front, honest, and blunt if necessary.
Peace and good luck… to you both.
Beki