Posted by Quintal on December 10, 2006, at 10:46:06
In reply to Re: Is Valium less habit forming cause long half l, posted by valene on December 10, 2006, at 10:16:58
> Valium is indeed a benzo and all benzos do cause "dependence" or whatever you choose to call it, after a time. I tried the good old "Ashton" method to withdraw from xanax and failed - I crossed over very slowly completely to valium, and began reducing the valium from about 25 mg. and got down to 11mg. before I felt I was losing my mind. I found valium extremely depressing. I tapered directly off xanax before and when I go off xanax again, will do a direct taper - very slowly. Hated valium, so Ashton method does not work for everyone. Just my 2 cents.
>
> Val
>Yes, I was just reading about this on the benzo.org site actually. Ashton says herself that Valium seems to have a stronger hypnotic effect than the shorter acting benzos, and people who have been taking short acting benzos for many years may feel depressed and drowsy when the switch to an equivalent dose of Valium. While using a smaller and more tolerable dose of Valium initially to lessen sedation may provoke withdrawal symptoms in a person tolerant to a higher equivalent dose of Xanax. I wonder if this is what happened to you val?
I'm not sure what her recommended strategy is in this scenario. Possibly transfer to Klonopin with its longer half-life? Klonopin is notorious for exacerbating depression though. I'll have a look and see what I can find.
Never thought I'd see the day where I would be defending Heather Ashton's work. She has produced some very detailed protocols for benzo withdrawal and is very supportive of people withdrawing *only* when they choose and *only* at a rate that is acceptable to them, not the doctor, and I like her for that after my experience of enforced rapid benzo withdrawal at the hands of my GP.
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:711778
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061206/msgs/712130.html