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I have been going though some shitty times...I was drinking every day even before all this shit started,but alot more.the doc has me on clonazepam and it seems to help.I'm trying not to drink on them.I need something to get though crazy ass world! Is this going from one bad addiction to another?The clonazepam help me deal with all the crap in the world.
/Rant on/
I have a hard time understanding people with this black or white, on or off, one-sided view of substance use. If a medication does more good than bad, I don't really see what problem is.
Yes, 9 out of 10 people that use benzodiazepines (like clonazepam) with any frequency eventually develop physical and mental addiction, the withdrawal can even be fatal if you quit cold-turkey. These are potent anxiolytics and sedatives, I'm fully aware of that.
However some people live with such unbearably painful anxiety, often but not always combined with some degree of depression, that drug-free treatment simply isn't an option. For a long time I could barely speak let alone leave the house because of my anxiety. I tried everything available - cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, "pulling myself together" and forcing myself to go out and try to lead a normal life, yoga, hypnosis, SSRI meds, you name it I've tried it - it simply didn't help.
Valium made my anxiety levels tolerable to the point where I could get a job and eventually go on to university and med school. Now don't get me wrong, medication does not cure you, it's simply a tool to help you cope and should always be combined with some form of therapy.
Am I an addict? Yes.
What would I be if I weren't? Dead.
Simple choice if you ask me.
/Rant off/
Do not under any circumstance combine benzos and large quantities of alcohol. You'll either end up dead or in jail, sooner or later.
You seem to have an identifiable cause for your drinking and anxiety, this is "great" news since therapy of some kind can probably, if not cure, at least reduce your anxiety and help you quit drinking or at least drink less.
I hope you can and will get the help you need, good luck.
You sound a lot like my girlfriends dad.. It makes me wonder..... Hmmm.. Just cheer up I guess... =\ shitty advice I'm sorry.
I feel you. I took k-pins for two years, thinking they were helping me. Truth is, they were only making me weaker. I just overcame the withdrawals and am happy to say I'm becoming a stronger person every day. Talk to a therapist, find a couple stable friends, a hobby and a job and you're set for life!
I will leave the opinion as to whether or not you need benzos between you and your doctor. I would bet a dime that he wouldn't have dare prescribed them if he had even a clue that you would drink with them. If you do, as your addiction progresses and you take more klonopin and drink more, you WILL eventually OD on that combination. Get honest with your doctor. There's much help available to you as well. Bless you
RF
Clonozapam is a benzo and is highly addictive. If you already struggle with addiction or have an addictive personality, talk to the doctor who is prescribing then and perhaps he/she can find a less addicting substitute.
Tonnes of people take anxiety meds, myself included, you're not alone and it is completely normal. Just get through the hard times in whatever way you can. Follow doctors advice for now and use your instincts as to whether you can decrease meds or drink or whatever. Good luck!
Im going through a hard time too i'm sometimes desperate , but what doesnt kill us makes us stronger don't give up
Not at all. Everyone will go through shit at some point in their lives and whatever gets you through is cool. Keep ya head up.
I think some ppl having to take anti anxiety meds is totally normal. We are all wired differently and some ppl need additional help to deal with the day to day stresses. I would only mention that the drinking should only be on occasion, don't get dependent upon it. But I completely disagree that being on an anti anxiety med is an addiction, it is not as long as you control it, And listen to your docs advise.
This is a very common thing for people to do, however, it is an addiction problem and is not good for you! If you have to rely on any substance to cope then that technically makes you an addict. I can't make it through a single day without vicodin. Whether it's being physically addicted or mentally addicted, it's addiction nontheless. The medication you're taking, when mixed with alcohol can completely ruin your liver and kidneys. Please don't mix the two! As long as you take your medication as prescribed you really don't have much to worry about. If you are abusing it, it would be wise to seek help to figure out what the real underlying issues are. Sometimes addiction just runs in the family and people are more prone to be addicts when that's the case. Either way, talking to a professional about all of this would be a good idea. Good luck!
The thing is my wife left me about 3 months ago.she was addicted to weed and I was addicted to pain pill and alcohol...she stop and I didn't and now I'm home alone trying to get my crap together.all my friend use some kind of drug and alcohol and I injoy being around them. It makes me forget about how much this world is fucked up.I'm 40 years old and scared shitless! I have been at my same job for 18 years and have a nice house and could have a woman over right now if I want to..but it's like I'm falling apart.I guess the only thing that is keeping me sane is my dogs.they have never done me wrong and has always been there for and are sooo happy to see me when I get home...I'm sure it's the treats, but hell there happy.lol it just seems to me everybody is wanting something from you and if you don't have they could careless about you.Just wondering if anyone eles feels the same?Well I guess I well clean house and go to bed...whoo hoo!
Sounds like you have a lot of issues going on. Do not rely on drugs to help you cope with these problems. The drugs will not cure you, rather they only mask the symptoms. You could benefit a lot from therapy. Therapy can help you cope with all the stress and anxiety. Defiantly DO NOT rely on the medication.