Taking benzos in recovery - is it ok

Keils · Newbie

Taking benzos in recovery - is it ok

MarcLacroix · Senior Member

Hi Keils;

I'm Marc and I am Alcoholic.

I am not an M.D. so I would not prescribe Valium to anyone.

There is a User named Jakamo on here who has complained about having panic attacks. Maybe he/she

can share about that.

Marc

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

There's a really good pamphlet on the topic of prescribed medicine , it's called "The AA Member - Medication and other Drugs. It's also approved by the General Service Conference, just in case your former sponsor wants to know.

Here' a copy in case you'e interested.

"The AA Member - Medication and other Drugs"

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

Welcome Keils,
"No A.A. member should play doctor; all medical advice and treatment should come from a qualified physician."

Here is a link to the AA online pamphlet where that came from and which you may find helpful:

www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-11_aamembersMedDrug.pdf

Your sponsor is extreme and has issues unrelated to helping you in the program. I had a sponsor who strongly encouraged me to get on a medication she was taking. Even after I told her that my doctor had told me this particular medication was highly addictive and he was concerned that I would get addicted to it. I am not currently on any medications; however, will not hesitate to take one should MY DOCTOR prescribe one I need. He has the medical degree and I trust him to help me.

People like your sponsor and the one I had are control freaks. All sponsors should be doing is sharing with sponsees on how to work the Steps to stay sober--not medicate us, not be our therapists or do their grunge work for them. Your sponsor did you a favor by not working with you. God knows what else she would try to control. You do not need the confusion or aggravation of dealing with someone like her.

Congratulations on your sobriety time. Listen to your doctor. Pray to a Higher Power to guide you to a sponsor who will be more serious about helping you in a more positive and beneficial way. It may be helpful to have coffee with someone before agreeing to let them sponsor you so that you can get to know them and ask them how they feel about medication. There are quite a few in AA who are like her.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Welcome to MIP Keils, ... and 'DITTO what ltr said above ...

Pappy

P.S. Oh, and 'do' checkout the info that David and ltr posted ... good advice ...

-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Saturday 19th of March 2016 09:18:03 AM

Jakamo · Veteran Member

Thanks for the reference Marc, though I'm not complaining...I'm using my personal experience to help others, as I'll do here...

No, I would not take benzos. A psychiatrist is not the way to go when it comes to medication for an alcoholic/drug addict. They, and clinic doctors as well, will readily prescribe diazepam (Valium) and other benzos when it is not recommended for addictive person to take. You then have an addict/alcoholic who is now also addicted to another substance as well.

You can blame the pharmaceutical companies for this. Diazepam and other medication of the like are very well known, but the right medications are much less acknowledged, because the pharmaceutical companies can't make as much money on them. It's a business.

I would strongly recommend you ask your doctor, not a psychiatrist, about high dose BACLOFEN.

It is a very safe medication and is NOT a narcotic. It is a muscle relaxant, originally used for multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injuries or diseases. It has been very promising medication for addictions and has done absolute wonders for me. My addictive urges have completed vanished, as well as the anxiety issues that so commonly go alongside and feed these urges. It is not only used for alcohol, but for opiate and other narcotic addictions as well. Since I've been on it I've also easily quit smoking, even quit caffeine. It has a very non-addictive and has little to no risk of tolerance.

If you have a Chemical Dependency office or something of the like in your country, a doctor that specializes in addiction medication, this would be the best way to go. Common doctors, and especially psychiatrists, are not well-aware of baclofen as a medication for addiction. Once again, because of pharmaceutical companies trying to push their expensive products. Though a common doctor MAY prescribe it if they are well-educated on it, they may not be. Ask. It may be awhile before you get into a addiction medication doctor, there is usually a waiting list. Though I have no idea what it's like in Glasgow.

Seriously, I strongly urge you look into it.

-- Edited by Jakamo on Saturday 19th of March 2016 11:42:28 AM

Jakamo · Veteran Member

If you're a reader, there is a book by a doctor by the name of Olivier Ameisen, who wrote a book entitled The End Of My Addiction. He was a hardcore alcoholic who tried EVERYTHING. He was put on pretty much every medication. AA and NA simply weren't enough. He then discovered the use of baclofen vanishing the the addiction in cocaine-addicted lab rats. After much research he prescribed himself a high dose of baclofen. You'll have to start at a low dose and eventually wean yourself on more and more so you're not sleeping all day long, with it being a muscle relaxant and all, not because it's a narcotic, which it isn't. Drowsiness is pretty much the only common side-effect, especially in comparison for the multitude of side-effect for benzos (suicidal thoughts or "actions"...no thanks). Dr. Ameisen's addictive urges eventually completely vanished, as well as the anxiety that commonly feed and fuel these addictive tendencies.

Also, if you're not a big reader, or even if you are...before trying to seek out this book, read these reviews (and everyone else for that matter!):

www.drugs.com/comments/baclofen/for-alcohol-withdrawal.html

Note that even if your addiction isn't alcohol, the use for other addictions is just as raving. The rating here is 8.8/10, which is usually unheard of such a high rating for ANY kind of medication. 66% of the people voted it 10/10. The very very few people who voted it 4 or 3/10, the very lowest (no one rated it 1/10 or 2/10), I assume they just took it once or twice and didn't keep with it.

Once again, look into it and talk to your doctor. You'll be very glad you did.

-- Edited by Jakamo on Saturday 19th of March 2016 11:44:15 AM

chris · Senior Member

Jackamo, I think you're painting all psychiatrists with the same brush. You can't say that ALL psychiatrists are benzo pushers and don't know how to treat addicts and alcoholics. I don't believe Keils was asking about a medication to help with addictive urges, she had been prescribed Valium for anxiety and sleep issues. Two completely different things.

-- Edited by chris on Saturday 19th of March 2016 12:00:04 PM

Jakamo · Veteran Member

I didn't mean to say all psychiatrists are benzo pushers. But using benzodiazepines when trying to get over an addiction, or having an addictive personality, is generally NOT recommended. Most doctors are well aware of this. Benzos are very addictive, even if one has no intent on abusing them.

And even though addictive urges and anxiety/sleep issues are different issues, they are very often connected. Especially early in recovery.

As I believe I stated in my post above, baclofen greatly helps with addiction as well as anxiety and sleep issues. It will help tremendously with all three, without the use of narcotics. Baclofen is generally not well-known among many doctors. Even though my post was heavy on its use for addiction, perhaps that was a mistake on my part...but it is very promising is the use for addiction AS WELL as anxiety, which are usually connected. This will help with all aforementioned problems in one fell swoop without narcotics.

I'm not trying to be a baclofen pusher. I'm merely using my education on the subject to try to help shed light on all viable options. It is something that should be discussed with a qualified medical doctor. I am not knocking psychiatrists in any way...I'm not...but other doctors are simply more well-educated in medications and specialize in all drugs and their interactions more so than psychiatrists.

-- Edited by Jakamo on Saturday 19th of March 2016 12:51:26 PM

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

You know....all medications scare me. They put them on the market, folks buy them to help with their ailment(s), then so many of them you see on t.v. commercials a while later, where there is a warning on all the problems that they can cause--which most of them are worse than the original symptoms they were designed to treat. Usually there is a class action lawsuit going on by that time and people are advised to call the number(s) if they have developed any of the serious side effects. It is like they use all of us for their guinea pigs. My daughter was on a med a few years ago and now she is not sure she can have kids because of it. So I am pretty cynical about them unless they are absolutely necessary. Not picking on you Jakamo, but I just looked up that one you suggested and they are used in treating muscle spasms. I did read some side effects and I wouldn't touch them. I read that it can impair your reactions and your thinking. That sounds like another drug we all know about.

I have been an anxious person most all of my life. Now I prefer to go the natural route...herb teas help me tremendously when I am feeling anxiety. There is an all-natural herb I used to take for alcohol cravings when I first got sober a few years ago. It seemed to help somewhat. Diet changes always usually help my anxiety, and that includes decreasing my caffaine, fat and sugar intake. Also, exercise helps release those feel-good hormones as well as release stress. Getting plenty of sleep is a plus as well. And it is especially helpful to just let some things go. I have noticed a tremendous improvement in my life when I don't dwell on stuff. The Serenity Prayer, "the past is the past", all those things that I can tell myself that I am an okay person in a challenging world. I'm going to be "alright". I remember the times I have picked up again it is because I thought I wasn't and it was also usually because of what I convinced myself someone DID to me...(no one has the power to DO anything to me, unless I give my own power away). So I have to work really hard on myself to make sure I don't slip into that self-deprecating thinking and behavior. Humorous writings and shows help me. Gratitude --being grateful for all the Blessings I have rather than things that I don't have.

If I have done everything I can do to take care of my health and I am still having trouble with anxiety, depression, etc., then I will consult a Dr. if I absolutely need to. Not to minimize the OP's posting and what she is dealing with, just sharing things which have been helpful for me in dealing with my own anxiety.

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

(and I am not sure why my quotation marks show up as jumbled letters instead of symbols. :)

Jakamo · Veteran Member

leavetherest wrote:
You know....all medications scare me. They put them on the market, folks buy them to help with their ailment(s), then so many of them you see on t.v. commercials a while later, where there is a warning on all the problems that they can cause--which most of them are worse than the original symptoms they were designed to treat. Usually there is a class action lawsuit going on by that time and people are advised to call the number(s) if they have developed any of the serious side effects. It is like they use all of us for their guinea pigs. My daughter was on a med a few years ago and now she is not sure she can have kids because of it. So I am pretty cynical about them unless they are absolutely necessary. Not picking on you Jakamo, but I just looked up that one you suggested and they are used in treating muscle spasms. I did read some side effects and I wouldn't touch them. I read that it can impair your reactions and your thinking. That sounds like another drug we all know about.

You have to search for "Baclofen for alcoholism". Searching "baclofen" by itself will only bring up treatment for muscle spasms.

The link I posted www.drugs.com/comments/baclofen/for-alcohol-withdrawal.html provides great firsthand experiences on the use of it for alcoholism.

It is also a generic medication. You will not see commercials for it on television with a long list of side effects. It is quite cheap, the pharmaceutical companies can't make enough money off of it. Impairing your reactions and thinking, if at all (it is rare), is due to the drowsiness qualities of it. Other than that it is very safe. No one has ever died from it, not even in one case where someone tried to commit suicide by taking an extremely large dose. Most of the symptoms listed are actually withdrawal symptoms, when someone has been taking a large dose for a long time and abruptly stops.

That being said, if the all-natural route, herbal teas and exercise, are enough for you...by all means stick with it! That is great if it does it for you. Exercise is a very underrated reliever of stress, and it keeps more than just your body in good shape, but your mind as well. In addition to exercise, I'm a big advocator of meditation. I used to dismiss it as "hippie shit", but I was surprised to find out some of the people who do in fact meditate. Clint Eastwood has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 40 years. He's not just a badass, but he has a calm coolness about him that may be in part attributed to the benefits of meditation. Who knows?

Once again, I'm not pushing the use of baclofen or any medication on anyone. I'm merely trying to propose an option that has done wonders for me as well as it has for many others.

-- Edited by Jakamo on Saturday 19th of March 2016 03:13:47 PM

davep12and12 · MIP Old Timer

Hi Keils,

As others have pointed out, we are not doctors, and even if some of us WERE doctors, we're not YOUR doctor, so we're not in a position to give specific medical advice about what you need to do, but we may be able to share some of our experience that may help you.

Throughout my sobriety, there have been some times when I had to have some surgery or had some other health issue that required medication. For me, what was extremely helpful was to find a doctor who ALSO understood addiction and alcoholism and would always be taking into account the fact that I have a history of addiction and alcoholism.

I was surprised to discover that finding a medical doctor who really understood this stuff was not as easy as I had assumed! A LOT of doctors really don't have much understanding about this stuff at all. They view the concept of 'addiction' as simply a characteristic of the SUBSTANCE, not the PERSON, and to them it means 'a drug that can cause withdrawal when you stop taking it' and they have no familiarity with the concept of people like us, who have a fundamental predisposition towards becoming addicted to all sorts of things that most people just don't have a problem taking in a normal controlled and predictable manner.

Having a a doctor who understands this stuff means that my doctor isn't going to make the mistake of ignoring the fact that I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict and inadvertently prescribe something for me that is a bad choice for someone with my history. My doctor will take that fact into consideration and prescribe something else that doesn't have the same risks of triggering my addiction behaviors, or would find some way to treat me that didn't involve mind altering substances at all. He is well aware that it isn't going to do me any good to go through a lot of medical treatment for some issue just to end up face down in the gutter because of a relapse that was triggered by some medication that was prescribed as part of the medical treatment.

Goofyman · Veteran Member

Hello, Kiels. If the medication is actually helping you and reinforces your desire not to abuse drugs and alcohol, then you don't need to tell anyone as it's none of their business.

gonee · MIP Old Timer

In my early sobriety, one of my friends committed suicide on New Years day. He was 2 weeks sober and seemed very happy. I realised then that outward appearances of an alcoholic do not indicate his true inner condition.
I read a pamphlet published by AA called "AA and medicine". The AA book recommends a definite hospitalisation procedure for the sick alcoholic, before the steps can be of any benefit. Personally, I let other people make their own choices.

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

Goofyman wrote:
Hello, Kiels. If the medication is actually helping you and reinforces your desire not to abuse drugs and alcohol, then you don't need to tell anyone as it's none of their business.

And that is the best "advice" you can receive imo

John · Admin

Hi Everyone,
Okay, I am going to share my own personal experience here. I am 57 yrs old, 26 years sober and clean. My DOS is 12/21/89. About 6-7 yrs ago, I started having severe anxiety attacks. Some of them so bad I've had to pull off the road while driving and call 911 to get some help, and get to a hospital. They were not truly treated with medication or in any other manner for the first two years, merely endured. Because I was scared it would send me into a down hill spiral with my alcoholism and/or addiction. And much like any other untreated illness, they progressed, they did not get any better. Well, it got so bad that I finally reached out to a psych doctor, who knowing my history only prescribed me 5 Ativans, a benzo. Those 5 Ativans lasted me about 3 months, but again, I was enduring horrible anxiety attacks trying not to take them. Now lets move into current times and events. When I have an anxiety attack, a symptom I have to deal with is extremely violent coughing, my asoficas goes into a spasm and causes a gag reflex in my throat, this brings up vomit, then comes hyperventilation. As this is going on I am unable to refrain from having every fluid in my body from draining out of me, I literally cannot help having to piss and shit immediately, and if I am not within 25 yards to a restroom, I end up doing it right where I am and heading towards a shower and change of clothes.

Does this sound like "Happy, Joyous and Free" to you? It's my reality. It's what I live with. It is not causal, there is not any one thing that "triggers" or causes my anxiety. The attacks happen when they happen. And they happen way too frequently. About 3-4 times a week, with an intensity that I would rate at a 9 on a 1-10 scale, and the longevity of the attacks can last any where from a few fast moments, to as much as 30 minutes.

My sponsor and I have spoken very openly about this situation, and I tend to agree with him that the God of my understanding does not want me to suffer unnecessarily, and sometimes we do have to lean on outside resources for help from the professional community that God blessed us with. The first time my sponsor who has over 30 years sobriety would have told me that I can't take meds because it changes my sobriety date, or he wouldn't be able to sponsor me. I would have exited stage left from that relationship.

I do now take benzo's. I have a prescription of 60 of them. Refillable in 30 days... so it has been medically determined that I might need as many as two a day to keep the anxiety in check so I can work for a living, and function in society without having to worry about shitting or pissing on myself. That prescription was filled 90 days ago, and I still have 28 of them left. So, no I am not abusing them. No I am not taking them for the purpose or with the intent of catching a buzz, and no, its not my little secret. My sponsor knows what I was prescribed, how many what for, and how often I have to take one.

Trust that I literally hate that this has come into play in my life and most surely in my sobriety, but today I can live, I can breath. I am not waiting for the next attack, I am not scared and living in fear.

Today, with all things considered I can say I am relatively "Happy, Joyous and Free", and my sobriety date does not need to change because I finally started taking care of my medical needs. Nor does suicide look like a very inviting option today as it did just a few short years ago.

Thank you God!!

John F

-- Edited by John on Monday 21st of March 2016 08:55:28 PM

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

Great post.

Thanks so much for sharing a part of your life and about something which I can only imagine must be very painful for you to have to deal with, John. I have never heard about anxiety being so severe until now. Thank God for medical professionals and treatment that have helped you as well as a sponsor who really cares about you.

Jakamo · Veteran Member

Wow, that was a great post.

I can definitely relate to that level of anxiety, but chose not to post about it after I got flamed for starting to mention it. Don't know if my anxiety was quite as severe as this, but of course this isn't a competition so to speak.

It's so great you can take the benzos this way and not abuse them. I probably shouldn't have generalized the way I did earlier. Foot in mouth. Some people do end up abusing them and get addicted to them like other drugs. I did at one point many years ago when I was still in the throes of addiction and definitely didn't want to go back there. My doctor wouldn't prescribe them to me now anyways, not because of my previous benzo use but merely because I'm an alcoholic. If I went to a psychiatrist and just left the alcohol thing out I could get a prescription, but my doctor would find out because she has access to all my medical records.

I've since weaned myself off the baclofen and only take it once in awhile when I'm completely overwhelmed, by anxiety and/or the desire to drink, and positive thinking and CBT and meditation and everything else isn't enough, or even possible.

Anyways, that's great John and thanks so much for the share.

-- Edited by Jakamo on Wednesday 23rd of March 2016 10:46:17 AM

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

Wow, John. I never knew. Your testimony was spot on. We're so glad your part of this forum.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Thanks for sharing that John ... I know some of what you've been through over the last few years, with family ... and if anyone I know, were to have anxiety attacks, it would have been you ... I don't say that in a bad way, it's just the amount of stress you've been through, it would have been a natural 'by-product' as I see it ... I'm so glad to hear you were not so adamant about not take'n 'helpful' medications, when properly taken, that you didn't get the help you needed ...

This is a good lesson learned here ...

Love ya man and God Bless,
Pappy

Bones424 · Member

Hi , I'm a career drug addict and alcoholic so I have to be careful. I think you have to discover for yourself what the right thing is for you to do. Taking ANY drugs can be dangerous for ANYONE but especially the alcoholic/addict that has already rung the bell of addiction through constant use,

I have knee pain and have USED PAIN KILLERS. Had some pretty hardcore people tell me "You're not sober". Honesty is one very important key to life, being honest with yourself. I think you will see that the 12 steps have a lot to do with finding who you really are and HOW BIG your God or Higher Power is.

Have seen people suffering from anxiety find their higher power and get off their medication. It seemed that turning their will and lives over to their higher power relieved some of that stress, worry and anxiety.

But we are all a little different even though we have a lot in common....like the athlete, we have to truly get to know ourselves, our bodies and minds AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR US INDIVIDUALLY. The think I am still learning is to be honest with myself in ALL things.

I empathize with you and wish the very best for you. Sometimes, as a sponsor, it's a tight rope trying to help but not enable someone who may be acting out in their addiction.

Your higher power has all knowledge and wisdom...may you find Him/Her now.

Bones

"TO BE OR NOT TO BE ISN'T THE QUESTION, THE QUESTION IS....WHICH ARE YOU MORE AFRAID OF?"

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

Bones424 wrote:

Your higher power has all knowledge and wisdom...may you find Him/Her now.

Bones
"TO BE OR NOT TO BE ISN'T THE QUESTION, THE QUESTION IS....WHICH ARE YOU MORE AFRAID OF?"

And THIS is the answer. I sure wish the sponsors I had would have had this kind of thinking instead of thinking their thinking WAS the answer. I learned the hard way not to put too must trust in others and to put ALL of my trust in God.

MarcLacroix · Senior Member

Gag Reflex

chris · Senior Member

Taking benzos in recovery - is it ok

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

Exactly. That is the kind of thing that already has and is going to continue to drive people away from this board who are looking for help and support. So offensive and totally unnecessary.

MarcLacroix · Senior Member

Check for Bad Grammar, Bad Punctuation, Bad Spelling and run on sentences in other posts. :)
These are Clues to identify the FlunkieStreetPunks.

Marc

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

You know Marc....you seem like an intelligent guy. You started your own website and you do contribute some very good posts sometimes in an effort to help people on this board. I don't understand why there are times that you have this deep need to post things like above which serve absolutely no purpose. I feel a bit sorry for you. I think there is something going on in your life that is causing you to want to hurt and/or offend others to make yourself feel better. I know you have quite a bit of knowledge about AA and you have said you have quite a few years of sobriety. Why don't you use your energy and time trying to help others, like the newcomers who come here, rather than trying to shock people? I know you have offered some very helpful advice sometimes.

If you were referring to my postings with your last comment, I have to thank you for that. A few months ago, I would have been hurt and depressed over something like what you posted about grammar, etc. It didn't phase me a bit. I have really changed my thinking and do not let what others say or think about me upset me. You really made me realize just how far I have come. My posts have rambled on and on but at least I try and respect others and post appropriate things on this board and I have never been banned from a board for my spelling and grammar.

Look fella, not trying to get in a ridiculous back and forth thing with you. Just trying to help you. Usually when people exhibit the type of behavior you do on here sometimes, they are dealing with some kind of trauma in their lives. I will keep you in my prayers, Marc.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Marc, ... your post a couple hours ago really did come across in bad taste to the current topic ... please 're-think' your responses in these situations ...

MarcLacroix · Senior Member

My remarks are sometimes brutal, this is true. But Hey, who are you to judge me?

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

I'm not judging you, just the inappropriate post you made ...

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

You are loved, Marc :)

MarcLacroix · Senior Member

People leave because ActiveBoard is Old, Ugly and Lacks functionality.
And When you all stop criticizing me, I may provide information on how to convert this forum to PHPBB3. :)

Marc

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

I am very comfortable using this board and I find it very user friendly. I have been to other boards and find them overwhelming and it takes me so long to weed through all those bells and whistles to find what I am looking for. Maybe you youngsters can figure all of that all--not me. It is more intimate here too. We had a good little while of peace, love and harmony. And best thing of all it has Pappy here! If that man ever decides to leave, oh well, I won't go there.

I come here for support and love and try as much as I can to give the same to other alcoholics. There must be something about this board that keeps you coming back besides trying to get attention with one of your silly postings like above Marc. We're not in grade school anymore. This is serious business and we all should be grateful to be alive. I know somewhere in you there is a kind and gentle soul.

(Oopsies...."figure all of that out" --not "all".....(above).

-- Edited by leavetherest on Wednesday 6th of April 2016 12:19:19 PM

Jakamo · Veteran Member

MarcLacroix wrote:
People leave because ActiveBoard is Old, Ugly and Lacks functionality.
And When you all stop criticizing me, I may provide information on how to convert this forum to PHPBB3. :)

Marc

No...they come here for the information and support, and they leave because of people like you.

If you don't like the set-up if the board, don't keep criticizing it...just leave.

The only ones that will claim to miss you are the ones that don't want to turn anyone away, even if you turn many others away yourself.

And you constantly criticize others, only to throw a hissy fit when people merely point out when your posts are unacceptable. I agree with chris, your IP should be banned. But the mods here are too nice, so it won't happen.

I've analyzed your behavior to death in the past, but you just avoid replying because you're incapable of responding with anything but another sad attempt at humor.

BTW, I checked out your "website"...how come it says it has 0 members??? ;)

-- Edited by Jakamo on Saturday 9th of April 2016 07:07:18 PM

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Been miss'n you Jakamo ...

Pappy

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

Hi Jakamo!!!! Like Pappy, I have missed you too. You got me spoiled when you were coming here more and posting and I got "used" to "seeing" you.

Jakamo · Veteran Member

Well, I certainly didn't stop posting because of the board's so-called "lack of functionality". I can tell you that much.

LTR...I missed you very much too when you stopped posting. You were my favorite right when I first started posting here. And I'm sure your lack of posts were for a similar reason as well.

Baba Louie · Senior Member

Nothin bothers the Baba. Nothin.

as for the topic about Benzos: it's always best to not have to take any kind of pills for anything. If you can lower your blood pressure through diet and exercise, it's probably better. If you can get through the pain of a broken limb without pain pills, it's probably better. But, sometimes, nothing else works, and you can't live your life in hell. Benzos are a bitch to get off of if you've been on them for a long period of time. And that's putting it mildly. You think you got anxiety now? Take Benzos for a few months, and then try stopping. You'll experience a hell in your mind that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

But sometimes the hell of anxiety and panic attacks are so bad, like with John, that there is no other choice.

I used to drink for many reasons, and one of them was to relieve my anxiety attacks (caused by alcohol withdrawal every morning). Alcohol is a horrible remedy for anxiety. It actually makes it worse in the long run.

If your anxiety is that bad, and you've tried everything else, to no avail, then Benzos can make a life of anxiety hell livable, and even enjoyable again. It sure beats using the bottle to cure anxiety. (At least with Benzos, you don't get stupid to the point of pissin yerself, starting/ending fights, and all the other great stuff alcohol made us do. Worst thing is, they make you a little clumsy and forgetful)

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

There are some folks who thrive on confrontation and conflict. They cannot handle "smooth" and "calm" because inside they are feeling anger, pain, fear and many other uncomfortable emotions. They have learned over the years that if they lash out at someone else it provides some amount of power and sense of control for them. I used to have a friend--not on this board--who I became pretty close to. She could be really nice at times. Out of nowhere, like a bat out of He**, she would hurl this insult at me. I would always feel so hurt and miserable. She would be so nice again and I would think that I either misunderstood her or that she didn't mean to hurt me--I was just too sensitive until here comes that dam* bat again, another put-down! That happened over and over and it was chipping away at me and making me feel just awful about myself. One day, I finally had had enough. The bat flew one more time with two back to back insults to me and I was sitting there, trying to hold back tears and I told myself..."She is no friend! I'm finished with this crap!" And I was. She had some serious passive aggressive behavior going on. She blew what could have been a really great friendship with me. Her loss. Not mine. She sent me a nasty text about how horrible I was that I dropped her as a friend and tried to make me feel bad about my decision. I didn't take that hook.

As far as mean inappropriate postings...... they have nothing to do with me really, unless I choose to make it about me, and if I choose to do this, I lose power in my own life--over my own feelings and emotions--and the other person has thus fulfilled their original desire. I am not taking those hooks anymore. Their problem. I'm not making it mine. :)

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

My, My, how we have 'matured' LTR ... you're not a rookie anymore, huh? ...

leavetherest · MIP Old Timer

Nah, I'm still pretty immature in so many ways. I am just choosing not to post about those ways anymore. Because I know (at least on this board) anything I say can and will be used against me.

MarcLacroix · Senior Member

Jakamo wrote:
MarcLacroix wrote:
People leave because ActiveBoard is Old, Ugly and Lacks functionality.
And When you all stop criticizing me, I may provide information on how to convert this forum to PHPBB3. :)

Marc

BTW, I checked out your "website"...how come it says it has 0 members??? ;)

That part of the site is a hallway to other areas of the site and there is 'No Loitering'

Marc

Tanin · MIP Old Timer

MarcLacroix wrote:
People leave because ActiveBoard is Old, Ugly and Lacks functionality.
And When you all stop criticizing me, I may provide information on how to convert this forum to PHPBB3. :)

Marc

What are the benefits of switching to PHPBB?

How much would it cost?

MarcLacroix · Senior Member

ActiveBoard is a dead thing. There is no support for it.
PHPBB is OpenSource GPL FreeWare. It is well supported(phpbb.com) and there are many third party contributors to the project. Google it and find out for yourself.
More info here: aa.activeboard.com/t61414725/im-partying-this-new-years/