The most effective method for discontinuing Xanax?

[b1ewsw32]

I've been on xanax(alprazolam) since [email protected]/day,by 1997 I was up to 2mg/day,and as I'm writing this,tolerance,habituation and attenuation is taking over @3.5mg/day.I am sick and tired of being a slave to these addicting/mind clouding/HGH supressing agents. I know that it took years to get tot his point and that discontinuation wont be instantaneous,but whatever it takes,I'm willing to try!
At 2mgs./day,it was tolerable but now my workouts are suffering, as I am becoming extremely lethargic and unmotivated.Strength gains are at a dead end,from diminished neuro-musular firing and my HGH levels are sinking as shown by low HGH,IGF-1 and Somatomedian-c levels taken 4mos.ago.As research has shown Xanax to temporarily increase HGH levels, as well as decrease cortisol levels.However, after acute administration, the opposite ensues.I was on no other med's when these tests were taken.
We know that it's easier to discontinue a longer acting agent, then a shorter acting one.Therefore the usual protocol would be to switch from eg.xanax 3mg. which has an elimination half-life of 11hrs. to rivotril(clonazepam)3mg,with a half life of 18-50hrs.Then one could taper down 0.5mg every week or eow.
There is a novel agent called abecarnil which is a beta-carboline substance that posesses strong gabanergic properties allowing rapid discontinuation of xanax, then withdrawing from abecarnil much easier, with fewer symptoms and less severity.It's made by Schering AG. and iI dont know if it's avaliable in North America,but I will be seeing a therapist who may have a good idea about it.
If anyone has gone through this succesfully,please let me know what methods you used,whether it was the co-administration of other neuroleptics,anti-anxiety agents(buspar),Inositol etc.Any mods including Fonz.I'd like to discuss possible regimens with you guys, as you have deep insights about the neuro-endocrine system.Thanks for your help,I really appreciate it and Karma to anyone who get's me on the right road to recovery

 

[_Yossarian_]

I dont have any answers for you, but Ill bump it for those who do

good luck

 

[b1ewsw32]

Here's the abstract on abecarnil.

1: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997 Mar 18;94(6):2719-23. Related Articles, Links


Alprazolam dependence prevented by substituting with the beta-carboline abecarnil.

Pinna G, Galici R, Schneider HH, Stephens DN, Turski L.

Research Laboratories of Schering AG, Berlin, Germany.

Abrupt termination of the treatment of humans with benzodiazepines (BDZs) leads to a rapid onset of discontinuation syndrome characterized by anxiety, muscle spasms, and occasionally convulsions. For this reason, it is recommended in clinical practice to reduce the dose of the BDZs gradually at the end of treatment. Nevertheless, many clinicians report signs of dependence even during gradual reduction of doses (tapering) of the BDZs in a large proportion of patients. Thus, there is considerable interest in discovering means of weaning patients away from BDZs without the risk of discontinuation syndrome. In the present study, mice withdrawn from chronic treatment with alprazolam showed anxiety, muscle rigidity, and seizures between days 1 and 28 after termination of the treatment. Replacement of alprazolam with the beta-carboline abecarnil for 7 days prevented the occurrence of the signs of dependence. In contrast, substitution of the beta-carboline antagonist ethyl-5-isopropoxy-4-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (ZK93426) for alprazolam worsened the discontinuation syndrome. Replacement therapy with abecarnil after long-term treatment with the BDZs offers a novel method for rapid tapering.

The full-text article can be viewed for free,by going to medline/pubmed www.nlm.nih.gov then type in "alprazolam dependence prevented by substituting the beta-carboline abecarnil" in the search bar or "alprazolam discontinuation" and it's item#17.

 

[the urge]

Whew B!... that stuuf is real tricky to come off of. I remember a friend of mines' dad who started one of the most respected clinics in the city telling me that doctors have told him that they have a harder time taking people of the Xannys thatn almost any other drugs (including the opiates). First of all I would seek the help of a few medical professionals, it may not even hurt you to contact an addiction/rehab type place if for nothing else advice on how to safely reduce dependency and if there are any certain adverse reactions to comming of the drug you have been used to for so long( because you have been on them for A LONG time, and at much higher doses than normally prescribed). Hate to say it ,but at this point your workouts are not the most important thing, getting rid of the need for this drug is. If you have to sacrifce your workouts- that's just what has to happen (not that you have to stop hitting it, still workout, but don't be discourged, it will all be a work in proccess), and when you've, for lack of a better term, "cleaned up" you can renew you dedication to exercise( because this is more important than working out). you seem to alreasdy have alot of insight as to different methods to come off. Personally when i took myself off of them (which was not anywhere close to what your facing), i did not want to replace another addictive substance, in place of the Xanax. It was offered to me, but I just tapered and forced myself. It sucked!I would seek more help than just one doctor or so, there are many different issuses to deal with and you need alot of opinions/ guidance. Some sort of replacement drug may be nessacary, but i don't have experiences with them. i do have a friend who was almost in you exact situation(about 4 mg's/day) and he finnaly had to go to a rehab type place where he could be monitored, and given certain drug to help him ween off. haven;t talked t o him in a while ,but I'm going to try and call him and see if he can teel me what all he did. This long post it to really tell you , all seek alot of opinions(not just one doctor or thearipist), &youy may need to go getsome "help", but most off all BEST OFF LUCK TO YOU! it is no easy thing that your about to do

 

[Silent Method]

Gradually reduce your dose - that's it.

Do you know the most effective method ever used for brining heroin users off was? They used to have them come into the clinic and administer methadone mixed with orange juice. They'd bring the doses lower and lower.

Finally, one day the'd tell the patient, "you're cured." The dude would be like "what the hell you talking about! I need my OJ!"

The reply would be "you've been drinking nothing but plain OJ for the last 6 weeks."

 

[Bishop4]

i'd try the klonipin bro. i barely feel it, and its much less potent than xanax as far as the addiction thing goes. less sides also, no cloudy brain or lethargy. maybe taper down with klonipin (as opposed to xanax) then get on an anti-depressant like wellbutrin (used for smokers to quit, so may be helpful here). this was kinda my plan to taper off of xanax and into wellbutrin. i have only used xanax for like 6 months though off and on. mostly on lately though. i'm no doc, just giving my ideas that i have been giving thoughts. i love benzo's though. keeps my mind off the crazy shit like ex's and daily stresses and social anxiety. wonder if anti-depressants would be good for an anxiety type personality? not sure.

 

[Silent Method]

The last thing I'd do, the very, very last thing, would be to swap one drug for another. Start cutting dosages untill you are taking none.

 

[Bishop4]

The last thing I'd do, the very, very last thing, would be to swap one drug for another. Start cutting dosages untill you are taking none.

lol. not swapping. re-read the post. its tapering off a benzo with a less addictive/side effect ridden benzo. i'd say its better to taper with klonipin. its a benzo, and its milder. much easier to taper off with.

 

[Silent Method]

I get what you are saying, but I feel that at best, it's a waste of time, and at worst, it's a new drud to play with.

But a pill cutter. Tapering couldn't be easier.

 

[Bishop4]

I get what you are saying, but I feel that at best, it's a waste of time, and at worst, it's a new drud to play with.

But a pill cutter. Tapering couldn't be easier.

you ever felt the side effect of xanax vrs klonipin? i don't think you have. i you have then i stand corrected. trust me, the sides alone are worth switching out to taper. i'm not saying this talking out my ass here. i used both drugs in various dosages and durations.

 

[Silent Method]

you ever felt the side effect of xanax vrs klonipin? i don't think you have. i you have then i stand corrected. trust me, the sides alone are worth switching out to taper. i'm not saying this talking out my ass here. i used both drugs in various dosages and durations.

Well, no...I've never used "klonipin." But I have used klonopin, which is what I assume you are talking about. Stand corrected then.

Your opinion is fine. I offer mine. If it were me (and it has been in the past) switching to a different drug of the same class confounds the process of addiction recovery. There is no need to switch when the dose can simply be tapered. It's simply a matter of doing so.

 

[Bishop4]

Well, no...I've never used "klonipin." But I have used klonopin, which is what I assume you are talking about. Stand corrected then.

Your opinion is fine. I offer mine. If it were me (and it has been in the past) switching to a different drug of the same class confounds the process of addiction recovery. There is no need to switch when the dose can simply be tapered. It's simply a matter of doing so.

anyone who uses a mis-spell as ammunition is not even worth talking too. done with you on this one, and in general for that matter. such egomaniacs on here its fucking amazing. to the original post though.......take my opinion over a guy who never even used xanax yets comments on it. real good giving advice on a drug you never used. moron.

 

[Silent Method]

anyone who uses a mis-spell as ammunition is not even worth talking too. done with you on this one, and in general for that matter. such egomaniacs on here its fucking amazing. to the original post though.......take my opinion over a guy who never even used xanax yets comments on it. real good giving advice on a drug you never used. moron.

Why are you taking this personally? Why are you getting pissed? The spelling remark was meant to be a friendly poke in the ribs - not a slap in the face. (Note the smiley face.)

If you want to get personal, what's the deal with "you ever felt the side effect of xanax vrs klonipin? i don't think you have," and "take my opinion over a guy who never even used xanax yets comments on it. real good giving advice on a drug you never used. moron."

You don't think I have? Do I know you? Do you have a monopoly on drug use? I've used them and more. So what? Can I be in the club now?


Look bro, bottom line - you gave advise that is different from mine and I gave advice that is different from yours. Whoo-hoo, big deal. We both gave our reasons, we both still disagree. Why the need for disrespect?

 

[Bishop4]

Why are you taking this personally? Why are you getting pissed? The spelling remark was meant to be a friendly poke in the ribs - not a slap in the face. (Note the smiley face.)

If you want to get personal, what's the deal with "you ever felt the side effect of xanax vrs klonipin? i don't think you have," and "take my opinion over a guy who never even used xanax yets comments on it. real good giving advice on a drug you never used. moron."

You don't think I have? Do I know you? Do you have a monopoly on drug use? I've used them and more. So what? Can I be in the club now?


Look bro, bottom line - you gave advise that is different from mine and I gave advice that is different from yours. Whoo-hoo, big deal. We both gave our reasons, we both still disagree. Why the need for disrespect?

firstly i feel the spelling correction was done in malice. secondly i feel i have a better grasp on xanax than you do. due to personal experience. if it was not done in malice, then apologies for the "moron" comment. you make it seem as if you are the king shit of this thread and only your opinion counts. at least that is how you are speaking. yet you never used xanax. i just find that to be a bit disturbing for some reason. i'll leave it be with my advice/thoughts or whatever you call it listed above.

 

[Silent Method]

firstly i feel the spelling correction was done in malice. secondly i feel i have a better grasp on xanax than you do. due to personal experience. if it was not done in malice, then apologies for the "moron" comment. you make it seem as if you are the king shit of this thread and only your opinion counts. at least that is how you are speaking. yet you never used xanax. i just find that to be a bit disturbing for some reason. i'll leave it be with my advice/thoughts or whatever you call it listed above.

Are you crazy?

 

[Bishop4]

Are you crazy?

yes.

 

[Bishop4]

got your negative karma you little bitch "faggot method". still green bro....got too much green flaming on JA. lol. that is too funny. thought you'd make an impact on my green dot. peek-a-boo! still there! lol on you. your as pathetic as JA the Jack Ass lol.

 

[Silent Method]

got your negative karma you little bitch "faggot method". still green bro....got too much green flaming on JA. lol. that is too funny. thought you'd make an impact on my green dot. peek-a-boo! still there! lol on you. your as pathetic as JA the Jack Ass lol.

What is Karma?

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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This is not a board for children.

 

[Juice Authority]

32 years old bitch. so go take a flying fucking leap. shove your karma up your ass, and answer my PM to you....be a man. don't hide behind the computer.

Wow! 32 years old and you're acting like this!! I figured you for not a day over 16. EF Sam has been notified by a few people, myself included, about your conduct here. It's only a matter of time....

 

[Bishop4]

What is Karma?





This is not a board for children.

32 years old bitch. so go take a flying fucking leap. shove your karma up your ass, and answer my PM to you....be a man. don't hide behind the computer.

 

[Bishop4]

Wow! 32 years old and you're acting like this!! I figured you for not a day over 16. EF Sam has been notified by a few people, myself included, about your conduct here. It's only a matter of time....

yeah, snitching to "ef sam" is a real mature thing to do. what a crybaby. i reported your ass too. so drop the "i reported you" bullshit. it was you and silent method. wow. two idiots reported me. put my "reports" against yours, and i bet you got over 100 and i got two. lol. you are an assclown.

 

[Silent Method]

b1ewsw32, I've beat it, you can beat it. It simply takes your decision to do so. Don't sweat the lethargy and motivation problems - be lazy for a while. Take some time to get back to your base. Taper your doses slowly untill zero...

 

[kentucky]

It's tough to beat any drug. You might want to think about rehab. or at least going to Narc anonymous meetings.

You'll probably have trouble sleeping, and some people even have seizures.

 

[Bishop4]

It's tough to beat any drug. You might want to think about rehab. or at least going to Narc anonymous meetings.

You'll probably have trouble sleeping, and some people even have seizures.

ambien is good for the sleeping trouble. i'll get the "no more drug use" speech again i am sure.....but for a short term treatment ambien works great. i use it while on fina, then taper it down and am fine with it. i do not see how using an approved sleep drug can interfere with coming off xanax to counter the sleeplessness. i bet that is a side for many like you stated, and is enough to drive you mad. the seizures i bet are a lesser experienced side, but something to be aware of.

 

[Jacob Creutzfeldt]

I think Ambien interacts with the GABA B receptors, while Xanax and other benzodiazapines interract with all GABA receptors. You may want to find a sleep aid that doesn't interract with any of the GABA receptors or you wont be completely addiction free.

 

[Bishop4]

I think Ambien interacts with the GABA B receptors, while Xanax and other benzodiazapines interract with all GABA receptors. You may want to find a sleep aid that doesn't interract with any of the GABA receptors or you wont be completely addiction free.

really? did not know that. i know its supposed to be non-addictive if not abused past a certain duration of use. natural alternatives like kava standardized liquid, valerian, melatonin could be used too. kava is my favorite, but causes liver problems of course.

 

[Jacob Creutzfeldt]

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/zolpid_cp.htm

 

[Bishop4]

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/zolpid_cp.htm

interesting. i knew it was touted as more of "hypnotic" drug than a benzo type drug, did not know it shared much of anything with benzo's though since it causes deep sleep, while benzos are known to hamper stage 4 sleep. i learned something today about ambien.

 

[Andy13]

Gradually reduce your dose - that's it.

Do you know the most effective method ever used for brining heroin users off was? They used to have them come into the clinic and administer methadone mixed with orange juice. They'd bring the doses lower and lower.

Finally, one day the'd tell the patient, "you're cured." The dude would be like "what the hell you talking about! I need my OJ!"

The reply would be "you've been drinking nothing but plain OJ for the last 6 weeks."

They did that with me... But forgot to tell me the last part.. I haven't had a day without OJ since.

Andy

 

[kentucky]

attempting to treat this by replacing it with any type of 'mind altering substance' goes against every peice of medical literature I've ever read ( and I've read alot).

You need to tell your doctor, and let him prescribe you something for it. He won't just ask that you quit cold turkey, he will have a plan. BUT No matter which road you take, you are going to feel like shit for a while - physically and mentally. The quicker you get back in the gym, the better you will feel... But you need to think about Narc anonymous, because when you start to feel like shit, what's going to keep you from taking a xanax?


The most powerful treatment for drug abuse, is the WILL to quit. not another drug.