Recommendation For People Already Taking A Benzodiazepine Regularly?

Video Transcript

I recently saw your video about whether benzodiazepine medications could help reduce hyperstimulation. I agree with your answer and also recommend avoiding taking benzos regularly. While your answer is appropriate for people who aren’t taking benzos regularly, what do you recommend for people who have already been taking benzos regularly, such as for many years?

As you know, I’m not an advocate of taking benzodiazepine medications long-term, and neither is it recommended by research and medical professionals.

If you have been taking benzos regularly for many years, I believe the overall goal should be to stop at some point. Keep in mind that benzos aren’t a cure for anxiety or sleep problems. They merely reduce symptoms for some people.

Therefore, I highly recommend addressing your anxiety and sleep issues before you taper and stop. That way, you’ll minimize the discomfort when you discontinue AND prevent a rebound to medication after you stop.

Research shows a large percentage of people return to taking a benzo medication after it is stopped, with unaddressed anxiety and sleep issues being the number one reason why.

Addressing your anxiety and sleep issues before you stop can make the discontinuation process easier and more tolerable AND prevent a return to medication after you have stopped.

So, if you have been taking a benzo regularly for many years, address your anxiety and sleep issues first, preferably with an experienced therapist, as working with a therapist is the most effective way to overcome anxiety and sleep problems.

Then, consider tapering and stopping when you are well-equipped with healthy skills. That approach leads to the best overall outcome.

Remember, when you are ready to stop, be sure to talk with your doctor and pharmacist about the best tapering regime.

In the meantime, there’s no reason to adjust your current dosage. You can do the bulk of your recovery work while taking a benzo.

Recovery Support members can read the information in our Medication section, Chapter 21, about other considerations when wanting to stop a psychotropic medication. These tips can be invaluable to the discontinuation process.