Benzo’s : A dance with the devil.
“It feels like I’m plugged into an electric socket and every move I make shoots voltage throughout my body. I’m nauseous and my stomach feels
Month 1
I was so happy to be at home. In treatment, the days seem like weeks. I was alone and it was very difficult. I felt
Month 2
The second month was much like the first. Every couple of weeks I had a serious couple of days where my brain and body retaliated
Month 3
My wife and I began to go to yoga and we began a dietary fast together. The fast was referred to as the “Daniel Fast”
Month 4
I thought the fourth month would be less challenging. I was doing the “program”. I was clean and sober and going to meetings. I was
Month 5
Early December was difficult, much like the end of November. My withdrawal symptoms had not changed much and still impacted my day about 3pm and
Month 6
Today, January 9th, I am 6 months free of Benzodiazepines after almost 15 years of use. I am seeing glimpses of the freedom possible ahead.
Month 7
Today, February 9th, is my 7th month “birthday” free of Benzodiazepines. The past few days have been very hard for me because of continual abdominal
Month 8
I have 8 months now. It is March. I am beginning to secretary meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. I have to find “chairs” to share their
Month 9
I recently discovered a friend who is also undergoing a benzodiazepine withdrawal. He has about 55 days when I got my 8 month chip. He
Month 10
May 9th is my tenth month birthday. May has been a month where the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal have subsided substantially. The mornings are rough
Month 11
On June 9th, I celebrated my 11th month of abstinence from the use of all drugs and alcohol (with the exception of my high blood
One Year
Today is July 9th of 2013. I celebrated my first year of clean time and sobriety. I did today what I have been doing for
Month 13
The first few days of my first year without anxiety medications was spent doing what I have been doing all year, going to meetings, eating
Months 14-16
Months 14-16 saw the end of summer and fall in its beauty. I was able to enjoy fall more this year because I spent less
Month 17
The most profound difference in month 17 from previous months is the reduction in the severity and number of symptoms. It has been a while
Month 18
I celebrated 18 months on January 9th of 2014. This has been a long journey to say the least. I have gone from taking a
Month 19
This month showed continued signs of progressive improvement. I was elected secretary of a very popular and long established meeting of Narcotics Anonymous. Being of
Month 20
Month 20 is by far the most significant of all the months of my recovery. This month was less about the pain and suffering of
Month 21
Month 21 continued to show improvement in number and intensity of symptoms. Still waking up at about 5:30 in the morning with anxiety and minor
Month 22
My days and evenings include a lot to do about recovery. My mornings begin with a walk of about three to five miles followed by a healthy
Month 23
Month 23 shows continued reduction in the number of physical symptoms as it relates to Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). I still wake up at
Two Years
It has been two years since the beginning of my recovery journey beginning with treatment in Costa Mesa where I was helped to abstain from
Month 27
At 27 months, I am still having waves that last a few days and in those waves, I experience heart palpitations, difficulty catching my breath
Autogenic Training
What is autogenic training? Autogenic training (AT) is a technique that teaches your body to respond to your verbal commands. These commands “tell” your body
Benzodiazepine Tranquilizers
Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABAA receptor, resulting in sedative, hypnotic (sleep-inducing), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant
My experiences with the 12 steps
For me, recovery began initially by agreeing that I was powerless against the addiction to benzodiazepines although it wasn’t until weeks into treatment that I
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome which is typically characterized by sleep disturbance, irritability, increased tension and anxiety, panic attacks, hand