Jump to content

History of benzos & alcohol group.


[Li...]

Recommended Posts

I'm opening this thread to connect with people That were out on benzos for whatever reasons by their doctors, and would drink occasionally or on weekends as part of their lifestyles.

 

How is/was withdrawal for you, has the alcohol made things worse, share your symptoms here if you will..

 

I had a brief history with Valium for anxiety, quit cold turkey and continued living in withdrawal but I never stopped drinking. After quitting alcohol however symptoms began appearing and worsening. I'm many months off benzos but only 2 months off alcohol.

It's been hell!!!!!!!!!!!!! My brain had turned into a mental asylum. Check my signature. Please share.

 

Liberty 🙏🏽❤️

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I still drink as I taper. Probably 2 drinks per day now. Is it heavy? maybe. I notice as I taper down the xanax that my desire to drink has lessened, so I don't drink as much. I was drinking much more while taking 1 mg xanax per day.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to abuse Valium and alcohol, which was both stupid and dangerous but you don't see that when you're spiralling down. I'm 8 months off Valium and now only have a couple of drinks at the weekend, if that. I cut down my drinking about 18 month ago, soon after I began my Valium taper.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I drank a couple a bottle or two of wine a night for a de Are or more while on diazepam for muscle spasm as well as taking Zopiclone on and off as well as methocarbamol, co-codomol and Tramadol
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They are hell. Terror of everything - every sense impression from all senses cause terror like someone is attacking me with a knife.

 

When got off completely also reliving whole life in immense detail, crsushi g grief at losing decades of life to illness, borderline psychosis, dementia like symptoms to point couldn’t remember own name at times or how to get dressed etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jeez, I just saw this...

 

cog-fog, & there's so much info here... Hell I loose my cigar sometimes now days

 

A 'history' of Alcohol (Years)? Close to a case daily. Or 2 litre wine, close to a 5th... Puked once a year maybe? Never missed work, paid bills on time, no "Law trouble". A "Functional Drunk". At times I'd stop, few days or a week - To be sure I wasn't Alcoholic  :idiot:

 

Didn't plan on quitting or staying sober (or getting this old) ... Some folks that get "drinking problems" manage to stop, get things ironed out - later on they go back to "drinking socially", live good lives etc. But I wasn't one of them. I'm an Alcoholic.

 

Most science says it's a genetic tendency for the Disease, some have more 'predisposition' than others, some have little or none -- most do NOT have Alcoholism.

 

Benzo's eventually invoke dependence & tolerance in (almost) anyone if taken long enough... There's a subtle, but distinct, difference between physical dependence and what Alcoholics have. It's easy to see Benzo-damage might cause more ab-reaction to alcohol, or the fragility might increase a formerly minimal 'tendency' for it.

 

MIGHT is operative term, no two are alike. Caution and transparent communication are in order - calmy, if possible.

 

One can, even years without thinking of a drink - END UP WITH BOTH. A few years back I got put on X for the insomnia (cause nothing else worked) they finally "solved" my last 'big problem'.

 

Ooops. Now I'm here with you guys, for the same reason, hoping to "kick" Xan. The awful, sinking, "bottomless black" feeling - it's the same... but I didn't have the 'Tremors' kicking booze...

 

A drink'd probably "put a sock in it" just like taking the "scheduled dose"... For me, that Tremor's just a "Trailer" for someting worse than "Joker" - if I touch booze.

 

For others, some use EtOh for proper titration with positive result. For another, a dram of 'hot toddy' could stave off a dangerous crisis. ANY healing is worthy of sincere support. 

 

Made it thru 1 more day.

 

Thanks, BB

LC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[b6...]
I was a pretty heavy binge drinker over the last 10 years.  In between being on and off benzos for short periods of times, I was drinking heavily on weekends.  The anxiety hangovers were horrendous.  It was until about a year or so ago when I went on benzo again for a short period of time after stopping drinking.  The last anxiety hangover I had didn't seem to go away and I started developing strange symptoms of doom and gloom and feeling an evil presence which let me to benzos again.  I will never know what caused what.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The last anxiety hangover I had didn't seem to go away and I started developing strange symptoms of doom and gloom and feeling an evil presence which let me to benzos again.  I will never know what caused what.

 

I can absolutely relate to the "Doom & Gloom" and "evil presence"

 

I named it "the blackness".

 

I feel ya on which caused what, chicken or egg thing.

 

So I'm trying to work on the SOLUTION (key word "try" ha ha)

 

LC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know all about the doom gloom feeling. I call it the dark void. When you begin feeling that shxt come onto you it really feels like some sinister, insideous, spiritual presence Taking over.

 

Tonight I feel like I'm slipping to a psychosis, or perhaps it's just anxiety.  Ajusta, I get moments when I have I struggle to do things, like dressing up or showering or making food, my thinking gets stuck, and I think very slow. Then at times  it works much better and faster response.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I call it the dark void. When you begin feeling that shxt come onto you it really feels like some sinister, insideous, spiritual presence Taking over.

 

Thanks for helping sort my "present" void earlier. The absent rage and all ... Hence the Bz-wd insidious presence feels 'OTHER', unlike the me I've been 60 years.

 

I've been rather daunted, sifting this "board", hoping that someone BEFORE me had the Q? I now have, so I didn't have to "FOOT in MOUTH" ask... That's not been going well (Boo.HOooo)

 

Just wanted to say thanks for the help

LC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Joining this group. I was a heavy drinker for around 20 years. I can’t believe I’m writing that because it never felt like a problem until I recognized that it was. I’m from a culture where heavy drinking is normalized and encouraged. I wasn’t drinking handles if vodka in the morning or anything; it was mostly binge drinking for fun. I feel like drinking contributed to my withdrawal. After my first ct, I didn’t stop drinking. I was oblivious to what I was doing to myself. I would say that I was mostly healed from benzos though. However, when I would drink during that time, I would basically have a wave 4 days to one week after drinking. Like clockwork. Horrible waves with sweats and tremendous anxiety. One or two beers could do this.  This time, I stopped drinking spring of 2018, and the withdrawal is dragging. My opinion is that my brain and body are attempting to heal from the drinking damage and the benzo damage this time. Same receptors. I will never drink again. I’m angry that I did so much damage to my brain by drinking all those years. I think there needs to be way more education regarding the dangers of drinking and the damage it can do to your brain. I never knew any of this until a couple years ago. Drinking is glorified in society. It’s crazy. I actually love being sober now. Hope you all feel better soon.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Joining this group. I was a heavy drinker for around 20 years. I can’t believe I’m writing that because it never felt like a problem until I recognized that it was. I’m from a culture where heavy drinking is normalized and encouraged. I wasn’t drinking handles if vodka in the morning or anything; it was mostly binge drinking for fun. I feel like drinking contributed to my withdrawal. After my first ct, I didn’t stop drinking. I was oblivious to what I was doing to myself. I would say that I was mostly healed from benzos though. However, when I would drink during that time, I would basically have a wave 4 days to one week after drinking. Like clockwork. Horrible waves with sweats and tremendous anxiety. One or two beers could do this.  This time, I stopped drinking spring of 2018, and the withdrawal is dragging. My opinion is that my brain and body are attempting to heal from the drinking damage and the benzo damage this time. Same receptors. I will never drink again. I’m angry that I did so much damage to my brain by drinking all those years. I think there needs to be way more education regarding the dangers of drinking and the damage it can do to your brain. I never knew any of this until a couple years ago. Drinking is glorified in society. It’s crazy. I actually love being sober now. Hope you all feel better soon.

 

I could've typed this word for word. I wish I could've quit earlier. Drinking has delayed my healing and its been a nightmare staying sober with all this cognitive impairment

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to drink far too much while taking the benzo, I've often wondered if that's the reason I'm protracted?

 

Do you all think we're gonna heal just like everyone else?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don’t know, nevercantell, but it certainly worries me. Hopefully we can get some people with similar experiences to chime in. I’d like to see the science regarding alcohol and gaba. Apparently the same receptors are affected, but how?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey guys,

I quit drinking altogether in July after I had one birthday drink, and it ramped up my symptoms real bad. I think I even hallucinated once.

Nowadays, it's just sodas and water. My friends don't seem to mind - you would be amazed as to how many people are tee-totallers today. Some vegans, bodybuilders and true athletes either drink very little or not at all.

Beer after benzos would literally make me sick in my stomach, so I knew then that mixing the two can have dire consequences. I'm a tee-totaller now, and better for it. I can now understand people when they say alcohol is dangerous.

Dave.  8)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree, Crowman. I had an old buddy in town for his wedding and I showed the wedding party the town. They drank and I had sparkling water. I had a great time, laughed, and was fully engaged in conversation the whole time. I didn’t know it was possible to have fun like that without alcohol. It was so refreshing. I wish I had this perspective 20 years ago. I’m happy not drinking. I work out and alcohol is the last thing I need. I’m too old to feel bad from that poison.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree, Crowman. I had an old buddy in town for his wedding and I showed the wedding party the town. They drank and I had sparkling water. I had a great time, laughed, and was fully engaged in conversation the whole time. I didn’t know it was possible to have fun like that without alcohol. It was so refreshing. I wish I had this perspective 20 years ago. I’m happy not drinking. I work out and alcohol is the last thing I need. I’m too old to feel bad from that poison.

Hi DBM,

That's great that you can go out, socialise and work out, well done!

Recently, I managed to go to an outdoor gig with R'N'B artists like the Black Eyed Peas, Jason Derulo, Sisqo and Janet Jackson.

I had sodas whilst my mates got tipsy on beer.

I was offered beer, but I just took the full cans out and tossed them. No one knew!

I don't mean to do that to mates, but my health comes first.

Dave.  8)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, man. It was still mentally taxing to be social, but it was damn nice to wake up without a hangover. It’s awesome that you can hang out at concerts and have a good time without alcohol.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I keep asking myself that question everyday, will we heal like the rest. Boy this entire process has been the weirdest thing ever. I still don't feel right but at times I get a glimpse of who I used to be, how it feels to be human, but that's short lived though.

 

Number one symptom : brain impairment. The confusion that almost resembles psychosis is what freightens me the most. Always in the mornings.

 

Liberty 🗽

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So you guys don't suffer from any symptoms, mental or physical symptoms after the cessation of both benzo and alcohol?

 

I experienced all of those things you mentioned. Most of the physical symptoms are gone besides the head area now roughly more than 150 days clean. Though, I quit benzo AFTER I stopped drinking for 2 months. Still haven’t touched a drink since. Only God knows what we are going through outside of BB. As for joint pain I also started taking glucosamine and vitamin D pills a few months back. I no longer have joint problems as of now but I did also lose 25 pounds due to eating healthier. Hard to say when they healed exactly as well you know, there is a tendency of another problem arising before even noticing. Those mental symptoms you mentioned, I promise will get better. You’ll be able to compare that moment to a moment in the future to verify it I guarantee you. The recovery hardly makes sense as far as human nature goes but it’s happening under the hood.

 

Edit: just realized I replied to an older message oops!  ::)

 

You absolutely right. The recovery makes no sense as it occurs. Thanks man.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
I drank beer and wine along with Xanax almost everyday for over 4 years.  Its been a terrible experience for sure, 31 months off and still not close to being healed yet.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks, man. It was still mentally taxing to be social, but it was damn nice to wake up without a hangover. It’s awesome that you can hang out at concerts and have a good time without alcohol.

Hey DBM,

You know who your true mates are when they can accept the fact you don't drink alcohol and don't push it on to you. In fact, I was mistaken for being a fitness freak recently because I don't drink booze lol  :laugh:

Dave.  8)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...