What kind of withdrawal/side effects can I expect coming off of xanax (alprazola!


Question:

What kind of withdrawal/side effects can I expect coming off of xanax (alprazolam) ?

I was only taking 0.25 mg per day, sometimes every other day....anyways, I cannot get advice from my doctor, as I have kaiser insurance and I am no longer a member, they will not help me in the least bit......I realize that I am not supposed to just go off of xanax, but I dont have any other choice, at this time I do not have medical insurance. Just want to know what to expect since I am no longer taking it. Please help!! thanks!!


Answers:

It is impossible to predict how severe your particular withdrawal will be, or which of the 30 or so common symptoms you are likely to experience. Duration of use, dosage, type of benzodiazepine, age, your personal body chemistry, and your method of withdrawal may all play a part. It is unclear which, if any, of these factors relate to the duration of your withdrawal syndrome as opposed to the severity.

Your first step is to educate yourself. That means reading this FAQ and seeking out many of the resources referred to herein. If you can not see a doctor who understands the seriousness of benzodiazepine dependency, be sure to approach your withdrawal with a clear plan in mind, to set goals for yourself, and to begin the withdrawal process with confidence. Do not listen to horror stories from others who have had unusually bad experiences in withdrawal. Everyone's experience is different, and many people are able to withdraw with very manageable symptoms.

There is some evidence that the newer, high potency benzodiazepines, especially Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan may be associated with more severe withdrawal syndromes. However, this evidence remains anecdotal.

Bear in mind that there is wide variation in people's withdrawal experiences. For example, one person may take a low dose of a benzodiazepine for a short period of time, and suffer a very severe withdrawal. Another individual may take a high dose of the same drug for much longer, and experience very manageable withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, an individual Valium user may have a harder time than an individual Xanax user.




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