Trying to help a friend get off Xanax. I’ve never tried any pills so I have I idea where to start.
Feedback: I really appreciate the feedback. I did not know how crazy that stuff is. I will try my best on my side to help him.
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This ...& my husband took GABA , melatonin, liver detox, fish oil, cbd, etc the xanax takes up gaba receptors, amongst other things... he was able to get off...
My Thai herb dr says Rang jued works, Thungbergia lauriflora
Thanks a lot. I’ve learnt so much. I’m glad I posted before making any move
You can't do a damn thing. I speak as a recovering heroin, crack and alcohol addict. I had to hit "bottom" before it sank in that I needed to quit, I'm afraid that hitting bottom is the only "permanent" solution for ending an addiction.
True that.
Hitting the precipice is not a cliche. As a recovering alcoholic it took getting to the point of losing everything before I snapped and did a 180. (by everything, I mean EVERYTHING)
Don't discount tough love when helping an addict either. If you are only telling them, "it's gonna be okay" or the like it aint helping.
Personally, I knew I couldn't do it alone and at that point I had no one in my life to turn to. That's when I turned to Jesus and asked for divine intervention. The Holy Spirit came over me instantly from head to toe. It was exhilarating to say the least and i asked to no longer have the desire to drink. From that point forward I can honestly say that I have zero desire for anything mind altering.
It wasn't easy though. I had to immediately change my lifestyle. The desire was no longer there, but the daily habits had to be broken.
I know it's not a lot of impact from a stranger, but I really am proud of you for this.
This is exactly the way to do it, and it isn't easy. I can't say I know a lot of addicts, but the ones I do know whove succeeded ONLY made it with a relationship with Christ.
Keep it up.
maybe the friend did hit rock bottom and is reaching out for help. you dont really know. provide some advice or personal anecdote instead of the YoU cAnT dO ShIET ay?
My personal anecdote? How about 30 years of addiction, does that qualify?
All one can do is don't enable them, but let them know you do love them.
That’s scary. Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it
Doctors use the term “self medicate” to refer to alcohol and drugs used to treat anxiety or other issues like depression. The problem is doctors want to prescribe a pill to do the same thing the failure of people to stop alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication’s stems from, their need to fill some deeper psychic void or control unwanted thoughts often the result of trauma or abuse. In order to truly help someone remove the need for the pills, the source and reason for the anxiety must be addressed. This is the hard work, and it starts with your friend learning to accept and love themselves. Xanax is symptom management and with a physical addiction component.
I found what this anon said to be very accurate. Trauma is the basis for all addiction IMHO. Try mushrooms I find they make me not want drugs at all.
Xanax is one of the two things you can die from withdrawals alcohol and benzodiazepines can kill you if you don't get assisted withdrawal
Hugely important comment.
OP has his hands full, and like many said, can't really do a thing, as it's completely in the hands of the user.
That said if the user is onboard, taper off over the course of a couple of months, slowly.
100% accurate
Stoping benzodiazopam is what almost killed Jordan Peterson. Benzos are no joke. Top comment here is all excellent suggestions.
Xanax is a benzo. Benzos and alcohol work on the same parts of your brain, and both can cause fatal withdrawals, the cause of which is usually a seizure.
They do give benzo's to patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal, I don't think they do the opposite though.
Can be very dangerous for some people
I found this 9 minute video helpful.
https://youtu.be/BVg2bfqblGI?si=3todiE1i0B23zF_S
Jesus.
Huge as well!
If you are near a city you could be lucky enough to find an ibogaine clinic.
Ibogaine is a powerful psychedelic that resets addictions in one session with no withdrawal. It's an intense trip but being given the chance to be free of addiction without withdrawal is a literal gift from God.
I'm not a Doctor. This is just general advice. Please do some research.
Has the person consulted a Doctor about withdrawal from Xanax? Are Doctors the problem that caused this situation?
The person should scale back slowly ie reduce the dose over time and see how they are managing.
You could research natural anti depressants. Quercetin has that effect. Quercetin acts as an anti depressant.
Does the person smoke tobacco. Nicotine also acts as an anti depressant. If they don't already smoke or use nicotine replacement it's probably not a good idea to start. Nicotine can be one of the hardest drugs to stop using for some people.
Please be very careful and see if the person can seek good medical advice.
Best of luck fren, I hope it works out well. Some people can have real problems with drugs like Xanax.
I have 11 and 1/2 years sober , For benzodiazepines you need to go through withdrawals in a facility it's not something you can do on your own especially if he is a heavy user he will die. I just found out one of my girlfriend's husbands last year tried to go through alcohol withdrawal by himself he died. This is not something to take lightly this is not something you can do on your own this is something that needs to be assisted he needs to go into a facility to do the withdrawal I cannot emphasize that enough
Yes, a relative was on prescription Xanax and you need to be monitored, she tried on her own and had an event and hospitalized. She then went into a monitored facility.
Don't try this. Xanax is incredibly addictive, which is why NO ONE is supposed to take it for more than two weeks. You cannot be in charge of helping your friend get off this stuff. The person in withdrawal can die in the attempt. Step away from the Xanax!!
Guy I used to work with told me that his withdrawals almost killed him. Pretty sure he went the supervised route, too.
Narcotics Anonymous is the place to start. When one's life has become unmanageable from drugs or alcohol, one first has to admit he or she has no power over that drug or alcohol.
There are NA meetings nearly everywhere nowadays. Find a near one and start attending meetings. Find a sponsor, work the 12 steps, experience a new life.
Please, please, please do not attempt to detox your friend at home alone. This is very dangerous. Withdrawal from benzos is painful and difficult no matter where you are. But your body can go into shock if not done the right way.
I know it's not the same drug, but when I detoxed of Opiates in rehab, they gave me medication that made it easier. But it still affected me neurologically. It kicked my ass
I’ve learnt so much from this post and from other anons. Same advice everywhere. I had the idea of taking the pills from him but I didnt know that would kill him. Thank you anon. Really appreciated
It's my pleasure. The one good thing that comes with getting clean is experience. Glad we could help
We’ve made some progress in the last 12 hrs. I called his dad and he’s going to some addiction center on Friday. He’s mad I called his dad but I don’t care. I did what I had to do
You are a good friend. Most of us didn't want to go to rehab when we did. He'll see things differently when his head is clear. It's a long road from here. I'm glad he has family and a friend like you. Good bless you all
Detoxing from Benzo's can actually kill a person. The first week should be under medical supervision. You are a good friend.
Xanax...
here's the thing. if they been on it as a teenager it has killed something off in the brain. think men on steroids their balls turn to raisins. something in their brain has been altered.
i know someone who micro doses shrooms now. but something is always off after the Xanax long exposure. shrooms help with the seizures they say.
what I say is not medical advice. it's just what a friend says.
cold turkey can kill your friend. Xanax is some bad stuff.
Getting off Xanax is one of the most dangerous. They will have seizures if stopped abruptly. I've seen this countless times. I used to be addicted to opiates & Xanax together.
You can't help your friend but to keep them accountable, that's it, they gotta do it themselves
Incorrect. Benzos effect the same brain receptors as alcohol. Thus, you get positive chemical releases the same as booze.
You are correct that cannabis is not chemically addictive though. People get hooked on it based on behavior effects & the general euphoria and sensory enhancement. Essentially, the stereotype of a couch potato stoner behaviour is what could be addictive. Routine & pattern succumbed "addicts".
Perhaps this could be a solution or suggestion u/Rumsfeld ? Ween off the pills by supplanting microdoses of cannabis, psilocybin, or something similar. Although, if your fren is particularly susceptible to panic attacks or the mental aspect of falsely interpreting the effects of these substances could make their anxiety worse.... There again, microdosages may be the key.
Godspeed to your fren and yourself as well!
Gotcha
Not knowing the context of how or why she’s using them (or he?) - if it’s severe anxiety that got her hooked then that needs to be dealt with. If it’s addiction out of habit then that also needs to be dealt with. Both can be fixed with God but it’s easier said than actually done. I had a friend whose addiction to Xanax led her down the path of heroin and overdose & killed her. I never knew she was using heroin- but I knew about the pill addiction. I think she switched b/c heroin was cheaper & easier to get to. She used to have a crooked doctor she would go to & pay cash to get the prescription for Xanax. Xanax ruined her life- had she not started with those pills she may still be here enjoying her grandchildren. I’ve said a prayer for your friend 🙏
From my own experience, this is what I did, 25% step down for numerous weeks at least. Then 50% for numerous weeks. If there are any side effects such as nausea, then I took a little more just to relieve that symptom, one time. Then to 25% for numerous weeks. It will take minimum 2 months. It all depends on how much they were taking, regularly. I was only on 1mg extended release at bedtime. I would monitor symptoms and adjust. These are my experiences and it would be a good idea to get a doctor's opinion. I am not a doctor, for the record.
Thank you Doc. I didn’t know how crazy that stuff is. Learnt so much after posting
environment changes are a must. What is causing the anxiety? I was put on something similar while I was in an abusive marriage, finally escaped that and within a couple years (divorce was a horrible process as well) I was able to get off of anti-depressants and nerve pills. Doctors would rather medicate than find the underlying issues, just as they ignore our parasitic problems. It is hard to get off of something when the brain says you need it, that is for sure. Your friend must find what would work best for them, whether it be prayer, meditation, exercise, etc. but nothing will work until whatever it is that triggers them so much is gone...
There are places rhat do special nutritional support for drug cessation. Look at holistic rehab hosp. Great care needs to be implemented. Life without a crutch is more than some can bear. And as others are saying, if quiting it is a do-it-yourself project, it is extremely small amt of reduction in dose, over a very long time. Very. Gives mind and body time to adjust. Back in the day it was valium people took like candy. Same issue. Get the book The Mood Cure to learn what the body and mind need for support. Also a great buffer is the non-prescription product called "Mood +" Very highly recommend it.
While going through detox, hopefully with medical support, also find a therapist for your friend, one who can support them with tools for anxiety and address the feeling that led them to needing Xanax. Therapist should specialize in anxiety and addiction issues. There are low fee agencies in most areas, if they can’t afford it. Also Check out The Mood Cure Book, by Julia Ross, or other books on natural brain healing. There are nutritional supplements that can help with the anxiety while detoxing.
I’m hoping your friend is getting the pills legally. He’s playing Russian Roulette if he’s buying off the street. And hugely important comments below. Only 2 drugs can kill you from withdrawals - alcohol and benzos. Xanax is a benzo.
Sadly, it’s off the streets.
I should add…almost all drugs can kill you from random fentanyl. A friend of mine is DHS/HSI UC Narc officer. He confirmed that they have found fentanyl in weed here in central NC.
I quit smoking weed on a regular basis about 2 yrs ago. I’m lucky since my state has medical weed and I buy it only from the dispensaries but I know what you’re saying. That fentanyl is all over the place
What’s your AO?
Make sure you/he/she has Narcan abound until he’s weened off.
I got that thing 3 months ago just because of him. Thank you
Don't start. They need rehab to be safe.
Slow or get in a rehab then still get to a 12 step program as well. Pray. A. Lot! 👍👍❤
An acquaintance of mine quit Xanax by using a compounding pharmacy to micro-taper his dose over a very long time period. Over a year I think it was. Might have to find a good, understanding doctor to get this prescribed.
There is the documentary on Netflix that details how it ruined people’s lives (and brains.) You have to taper off really slowly apparently.
I can’t help much without knowing how much they take and for how long. If it’s enough that they are going through genuine withdrawals, good luck. That’s hard to do without being in a hospital or at least done under a doctors supervision. Funny enough, the treatment for acute benzo withdrawals, much like alcohol IS benzos, just in a controlled manner with iv benzos.
I’m pretty sure that was one of the drugs Tiger was on along with Vicodin when he beat Rocko in the US Open a few years back. He wond up in a rehab not far from where I live. Cold turkey is really hard. A slow weening off and a lot of determination on their part is best.
Super hot bath and have them munch on chocolate while in there. Not sure why, but apparently it is supposed to really help withdrawals.
You can't just stop taking Xanax - you have to wean off slowly over time.
Thank you all for the advice. Really really appreciate the feedback.
Kratom.
A metabolic dyscrasia is difficult to correct. The cause must be identiied and addressed. The Xanax is used to thoughtlessly treat symptoms. A team approach is your best bet as cause can be nutrient, hormonally or even epigenetic.