I've been told from many sources that you can die from coming down cold turkey from prolonged Benzo use?

Question

I've been told that things such as Heroin, Coke, Meth (worst c**p ever), that you feel like you are going to die, but you don't actually die.

Can you die from coming off Benzo's cold turkey? I had to go to the emergency room last night because my MD has the flu, and I have taken 30 mg of Valium for 6 months since I slit my wrists and needed 52 stitches.

I have enough to last me through the weekend. I don't care if my psychiatrist will get made that I visted the emergency room. He is retiring soon, and I don't care, and am looking for a more concerned counselor.

I have public speaking this next semester. After that I would like to ween myself slowly off of Valium. But I don't want to lay in bed for a weekend having terrible with drawls.

This is a sad situation I am in. I'm an extreme introvert, and the only drug I want to continue is Ultram, which is non narcodic. It helps my back.

I'm on the Dean's list at my college, I lost my job but have applied at many places, and am going to get my resume fixed today.

Any advice? I am not wanting to become a legal drug addict. I want to get mentally healthy, and be able to eventually help others.

I'm a junior in college with a good GPA. I have goals, ambitions. But I can't get over my troubled childhood. Being abandoned by my real parents sucked. My adopted mother has been my savior. I'm also labeled Borderline Personality Disorder. I have a lot of aniexty, and when I get depressed everyone around me gets depressed. I have that gift.

Answer 1

Seizures are possible. Any doctor can provide a prescription for valium, and I address weaning off in section 2, at ezy build, below: also see the relevant parts of section 1.

BPD is addressed in section 15, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Be aware that, because of their upbringing, people suffering from BPD tend to see things in terms of black and white, rather than shades of grey, and often idealise, then devalue, in relationships. They also tend to have a great fear of abandonment, and sometimes go to extreme lengths to prevent it.

Use the locators, in section 1, at ezy build, and the phone book, to find a therapist who uses Dialectical Behavio(u)ral Therapy, or get a good book on the subject, and give to a therapist using Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy (fairly common, and probably nearby) and ask that it be incorporated into your treatment. Read  "I hate you: don't leave me." by Jerold J. Kreisman, m.d. and Hal Stras.  A workbook that offers good coping skills is Marsha Linehan's Skills Training Manual (a DBT Workbook). Try http://www.amazon.com/ for these.  

Anxiety: section 6: see page N first. Depression: section 2: view page R first. Public speaking: section 9. Check out teens, in section 13; self harm: section 16, & suicidal thoughts: section 5: contact the hotlines, when needed.

Answer 2

So sorry all that happened to you. I really don't think a person can die from withdrawal from 30mg diazepam for 6 months. Please don't substitute alcohol for it. You might feel like you're having a prolonged panic-attack coming off the benzo's, but if you make sure you're breathing properly and keep telling yourself it will stop eventually, you'll be alright. I hope that doesn't sound too lame for you. It's just what you're going to have to go through. I was using upwards of 50mg valium for over 2 years and had to come off cold turkey and I did it and am still off them. If I can do it...you can too. I wish you all the best!

Answer 3

I would suggest getting help from a support group. Go to the college's counselor and ask him/her for info. about local drug support groups. Or, there's always rehab. if you're serious about kickin' your addictions. Good luck!