Help needed

Hello,

I'm suffering from the withdrawal symptoms associated with running out of benzos. They were non-prescription ones. Need help

Welcome to Benzo Buddies. What you are experiencing is normal for withdraw.

Healing from cold turkey/fast tapering can take 6 months to 2 years, it is quite variable.

This is a time to start finding activities and experiences which help calm your nervous system down, as well as support, perhaps from a psychologist (they don't prescribe medication, so are more focused on therapies which allow you to accept and cope with your situation.)

You need to start gathering coping mechanisms. One very effective and easy one is simply deep breathing. And, you need to know your going to come out of this: you will. Mindfullness is good. And distraction is crucial. When you are engaged in a mental and or/physical activity, your not so focused on how you feel. Get up and leave the room your in. Go outside. Start doing something. within reason, you don't think you can. When you are in a sate of depletion, go to bed. You can't do much to help yourself when you are depleted, You have to build your strength back up. Practice self care, from allowing yourself to remove all stimulation to engaging in a sport. Find as many coping mechanisms as you can, no matter how silly. I sometimes write on my arm in sharpie, "temporary," or "healing." I have a cuff that says "Keep &%#$@ going."

By using copint techniques, you are not only calming down your system, but developing what can become a lifelong tool box for coping with painful and distressing situations.

There are some good books on the topic, as well as on line lectures and meditations. Heather Ashton has a serious of lectures. She is very effective at validating the pain, then expressing that it is normal, and not be frightened by it.

Here are some helpful links:

rapid wd/ct http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=53153.0

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=133.0

This is a list of withdraw symptoms:

https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha03.htm#4

"What is happening in your brain," is a wonderful place to start your self education. It explains why we experience all the things we do, and that they are all signs of healing. I still read this at least once a week when the symptoms are overwhelming  me.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=66397.0

If reinstating the benzo is an option,you can taper off. We will support you there as well.

In the forums pertinent to your circumstances, you will find other buddies going through their own cold turkey and protracted withdraw. You are not yet at the place where protracted withdraw is in play, but if it does happen, there is member support for it. This is a good place to ask questions, and receive guidance.

Welcome to Benzo Buddies, you have come to a safe, confidential informative support group, and we are happy to have you as a member.

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand your history so they will be better able to support you. Go to the top of the page and select Profile, then choose Forum Profile, insert drug history/timelines into the text box and click Change Profile.

We look forward to reading more from you over the forthcoming days and weeks.

Take care,

BB Team

Welcome to the Group!