How to Withdraw from Diazepam

Tapering off diazepam

Consult a doctor for guidance. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines must be managed by a healthcare professional experienced in this area. They will ensure your safety and track your progress, modifying your diazepam tapering plan as needed. Tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you’re taking. Be sure to mention any medical conditions that you have. These can affect your tapering schedule.

Follow your doctor's recommended taper schedule. Most of the worst-case withdrawal scenarios result from abruptly quitting alprazolam. Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines is dangerous and discouraged by experts. To alleviate diazepam withdrawal symptoms, consider gradually reducing your dosage in small steps over an extended timeframe, allowing your body to adapt to each decrease. After that, you can continue tapering down gradually. You shouldn't stop taking the medication entirely until you reach a minimal dosage. Tapering schedules with vary with each individual, depending on length of use, dosage, and other factors.

Decrease your dose every 1-2 weeks. If you are taking diazepam, your doctor will typically suggest reducing your total dose by 20% to 25% every two weeks, or 20% to 25% during the first two weeks, followed by a likely reduction of 10% each week thereafter. Some doctors advise tapering by 10% every one to two weeks until reaching a 20% dose, after which you may taper down by 5% every two to four weeks.

Recognise that your taper schedule is specific to you. No tapering model suits every individual. Factors such as the duration of your diazepam use, your dosage, and your withdrawal experience will influence your tapering schedule symptoms. If you have been on low dose, sporadic diazepam; your doctor may not recommend tapering. Generally, anyone who has been on a benzodiazepine for over eight weeks will require a taper schedule.

Taking care of yourself while tapering

Speak to your pharmacist. Your pharmacist is one of your most valuable allies during the tapering process. Their expertise is crucial for your success. They can provide solutions like compounding prescriptions, recommending over-the-counter medications to avoid, and addressing various pharmacological concerns. If you use other medications to withdraw from diazepam, your taper plan will take that into account.

Maintain your physical health as you taper. Although the symptoms of withdrawal may make it harder to function normally, you must keep good physical health to help your body through the detox process. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat plenty of healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Stay away from processed and refined foods. Get as much quality sleep as you can. Get regular exercise.

Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol. During tapering, reduce your intake of caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol. For instance, alcohol generates toxins in your body that can impede the recovery process; benzodiazepines and alcohol should also never be combined.

Consult a pharmacist before using over-the-counter medications. Avoid over-the-counter (OTC) medications without consulting a pharmacist or doctor first. Numerous OTC medications can increase stress on your central nervous system as you taper. This category includes antihistamines and sleep aids.

Keep a journal. Tapering schedules depend on the duration of diazepam use and the dosage taken. Monitor your dosage reductions by noting the timing and amount of each dose. Track your experiences, whether positive or negative, to adjust your tapering strategy as needed. Remember that some minor adjustments will be necessary along the way forward. A journal entry example in a spreadsheet form might look like this: 1) January 1, 2025 2) 12:00 PM 3) Current dose: 2 mgs 4) Dose reduction: .02 mgs 5) Total reduction level: 1.88 mgs You may add several daily entries for multiple daily dosages. Include any withdrawal symptoms or change of mood you notice.

Regularly consult your doctor. While tapering, plan to visit your doctor every one to four weeks, based on your tapering schedule. Raise any lingering concerns or challenges you are encountering. Mention any withdrawal symptoms you may be experiencing, such as anxiety, irritability, agitation, insomnia, panic or headaches. If you experience any severe symptoms like hallucinations or seizures, seek medical attention immediately.

Consult a mental health professional. Caring for your mental health is crucial after withdrawing from benzodiazepines, as reversing the neurological effects can require weeks, months, or even years. The acute phase may last up to three months, but complete recovery could take several years. Seeking guidance from a psychologist and/or psychiatrist during this time is advisable. Consider seeing a mental health professional after you finish your tapering schedule.

Understanding the withdrawal process

Recognize the dangers of unsupervised diazepam withdrawal. Unsupervised diazepam withdrawal, especially from higher doses, is known for causing seizures and psychotic symptoms.

Learn the symptoms of withdrawal. Diazepam withdrawal can exhibit symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Learning the symptoms is crucial in your recovery. These symptoms include: Sleep disturbance. Irritability Increased tension Anxiety Panic attacks Hand tremor Sweating Difficulty concentrating Dry retching Nausea Weight loss Palpitations Headache Muscular pain and stiffness Some perceptual changes

Be mindful of severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from diazepam can result in severe symptoms such as hallucinations, delirium, and seizures. It's vital to seek medical help immediately if you encounter any of these issues.

Recognise how long withdrawal symptoms can last. The most common is a short-lived "rebound" anxiety and insomnia, coming on within 1-4 days of discontinuation. This can last from a few days, up to 2 weeks. Remember, until you complete a benzodiazepine taper, your body remains in a continual mild withdrawal state. This is the reason why a gradual taper is strongly advised.

Exercise patience during your recovery process. The tapering phase may be required to last for months as you slowly taper down your dose. This is a crucial phase and cannot be skipped. There isn't a quick way out of this, so you must exercise patience to avoid making a decision that could lead to harm to you. Remember that a slower taper leads to significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms. The objective is to finish tapering without lasting withdrawal effects rather than rushing through it and experiencing discomfort and compromised GABA receptors that could impact the healing process.