How long does it take for benzos to leave your system?

[[Buddie]]

[...],

I'll agree that valium seems like aspirin in comparison to xanex.  The whole time I've been tapering from the valium, it seems like I am just taking aspirin in that it doesn't seem to have any effect on the anxiety (although I'm sure it is better than nothing). 

[...],

I know that drinking tons of water washes out most meds from your system faster (how fast I don't know); why wouldn't tons of water at least shorten the half [...] of benzos?

[[Buddie]]

Summer,

Where did you get this information about water flushing meds out of your system faster?  I never heard of such a thing.

[...]

[[Buddie]]

[...],

Many, many years ago I knew a woman who was addicted to cocaine.  She was applying for a job and had to take a drug test.  She had heard that if she drank gallons of water, it would dilute the cocaine in her system and/or flush it out.  Anyway, it worked for her, she got the job, found out she was pregnant, quit the cocaine and lived happily ever after.  Her daughter is a mother now.

That's about the only time I heard of it, but it made a little sense at the time.  I just thought that if it did that for an illegal drug, it might work the same way for any type of drug. 

[[Buddie]]

Benzos are metabolised through the liver. I have no idea if a lot of water would have any effect upon liver function, but if it does, I imagine it would be marginal.

You were correct in your assertion that increasing the rate at which benzos leaves the body is at odds with a sensible withdrawal. Healthy living can only help our efforts with withdrawal, so sensible amounts of liquid can only be good thing. At the same time, it is actually possible to overdose on water! You can overdose on anything!!!

I have no idea of how cocaine is eliminated from the body (I suspect your friend's claim to be totally erroneous though), but it has no relationship with benzos, so pay no attention.

My experience (not all personal) is that a good diet, drinking sensible amounts of water, and any exercise that dose not add to your symptoms, is the way to go. I would strongly suggest that no alcohol is consumed until full recovery is achieved. Supplements and vitamins should be approached cautiously. Any drug that also acts upon the BAGA system should be avoided if possible, but if they are necessary, they should be taken. Coffee is also regularly reported as causing problems (probably all caffeine sources). A one off dose of a benzo (as a pre-med, for example) should not cause undue alarm - just about all the feedback we've received suggests no harm, negligible harm, or no lasting harm to the withdrawal process.

I am not trying to make hard-and-fast rules, but the above is from my personal experience, or from what I have learned from the experiences of other members of this forum.

[[Buddie]]

[...],

Thanks for pointing that out to me ([...] too).  I was really concerned that too much water would eliminate the benzos too fast.  I admittedly have no idea on how any meds work with the liver.  I agree a healthy diet and healthy amounts of liquids is the best way to go.

[[Buddie]]

Okay... so last night... I was so irritated about watching the last Valiums that I had in the bottle... four of them... counting the pills and the days... I just said "F**k it!" and took the last 4 10mg tablets yesterday evening.   Some of you may be horrified at that level of intake, but it was really not much of anything for me.  I had a good night's sleep and am now facing my first night without 10-20mgs of Valium.   I am okay with it so far.   I would imagine that the next few days might be interesting... and sometimes I  think the fear of not having the pills to fall back on is sometimes worse than the other actual physical/emotional effects.   So, I am done for now and I will post anything that I think is really horrific, but I am keeping a positive attitude in the face of some withdrawal symptoms that may arise.   I could not see myself taking tiny slivers of Valium and worrying about feeling bad if I did not.   This is my approach and as I have stated before, I am going to see this through even though some painful effects may rear their ugly heads.   This method is not for everyone with a benzo problem.  Cheers! 

[[Buddie]]

Hi [...],

I have to say, you are not following any method at all. Don't you see, the fact that you felt compelled to take all four pills indicates that you have real dependency issues? What about tonight, and the next night? A sensible withdrawal taper is not about feeling great; it is about managing your taper in such a way that the withdrawal symptoms are manageable. At some stage, you will understand this, but it really is better to learn this sooner rather than later. Many people report never being able to reach a stable level after a cold turkey or very rapid withdrawals. It really is in your interest to gain control now.

I really do wish you luck.

[[Buddie]]

hey
I get it your going to do it your own way. Let me try one more time to make a point, benzos are WIERD, what seems like a typical psychological need, is chemically induced ,its really a physical need, and self controll issues are not the same as other addictive drugs.
Good Luck
Bob

[[Buddie]]

Correct [...]... there is no method at all now.   Just waiting it out.  Yes, I have a real dependency issue.   I suppose that taking all four pills (40mgs Valium over a 6 hour period) isn't a good thing, but I knew my tolerance level is very high.   Cold turkey is the only way I can do it because when the pills are at hand, the dosage continues at 30-40mgs [...] day.   Tuesday night was the 40mg night... now it is Thursday morning, nearly noon.   Issues noticed so far: some weakness in my shoulders and neck... some fatigue... some skin crawling sensations... slight throat constriction... some mental confusion at work (concepts are not sinking in)... some "whooshing" sensations when I stand up (like blood rushing to the upper part of the body and head that comes in waves)... some ringing in the ears that comes and goes... a strange feeling of being "unclean" all over even though my clothes are clean and I am bathing every day.  I am feeling no major distress, so please don't be too concerned.   

I read somewhere that in a study of benzos, using rabbits as test subjects, that it took 5,000mgs of benzos to actually kill the rabbit.   Poor rabbit.   

Otherwise, I am fine and feeling more in the moment, physically and mentally. 

[[Buddie]]

Amp[ersand,

I am worried about your cold turkey.  If you are so dependent that you have to take all the pills you have, can you possibly get someone who could dole out a tapered dose for you.  It might take 5,000 mg to kill a rat, but I'm concerned about possible seizures of going cold turkey (not so much the amount of pills you took).

Besides, you are not a rat.