Discussion Benzos - saving a day, tolerance, long-term use

[LittleJem]

I wanted to ask if anyone here uses benzos, how long does tolerance take, any strategies for using them. I have just been on them the last few days. I am hoping I can use them long-term. I know they are risky.

I don't know if this belongs in recovery, but I have had a few functional and bearable days on (probably fake) benzos. I took weed for years, and it gave me psychosis. My depression is also constant, agitation, no motivation.

On the benzos, I have had a day or two where I can think, go for a walk, function just a little bit.

I have had no luck with 14 psychiatric medications. I know benzos are not the best, but the substances I take to just function have bad side effects, so benzos might be better....

Thanks for reading and any comments

 

[charlavail]

I've been on benzos for about 8 months now daily. Not a high dose. I'm worried about getting "hooked" but my psych said the dose is low. i recently decided to do half a pill vs a whole in the morning to lower my tolerance a bit before i go back to two a day. you can use them long term, but be mindful how much you're taking. and when you come off of them (if you want idk) it'll be tapering. also, have you tried gabapentin? i went off of it because it was causing me side effects but i know other people who use them and it's good for anxiety/depression. I also haven't had good luck with psych meds.

 

[trying ungracefully]

I'm on Ativan as a PRN. Tolerance can develop in a few days or weeks. I take 0.5mg-1mg and the 1mg usually works for worse anxiety. I make sure I only use them when any other coping strategies don't work and I don't see myself calming down anytime soon. If I take it the max amount in a row I can take it is three days in a row.

I like taking it as needed rather than everyday because of the tolerance and also because I need to learn how to deal with my anxiety naturally since I will have to come off them one day.