Is your sponsor a doctor? I think he has overstepped his boundaries. If you have anxiety going off diazepam might be a mistake.

What ever you do don't stop taking them. Go see your doctor first and discuss with him first. GL.

No, he is not a doctor- Diazepam is what you would give someone who is going through withdrawal symptoms - from what I am understanding it binds to the same receptors as alcohol, thus giving you the same effect.

5mg of diazepam is tiny. The usual adult dose is 6-60mg divided dose per day, with 5-15mg at bed time to assist sleep (or so it says in nurse wifeys manual of perscription medicines I just looked up). R u sure its really helping? How about 1/2 a tablet and or alternate days. I was on 15mg a day when I was drying out and thats how I weened myself off. A bit less each day. Of course I'm not a Doc, so what ever you do, dont take my word for it lol.

Change your sponsor and see your Doctor

trickey

Change your sponsor and see your Doctor

trickey

Sorry to have been so brief, but this guy has truly gone outside his boundries, and well I get angry when that happens.

Add to this that I lost a friend coming of alcohol and Diazepam, I did not find the advice you recieved very pleasant.

I am sorry my blood boils when people go outside the scope of AA, this is not what it is about.

No matter how low your dose, do it how your Doctor tells you, as not only could it be dangerous to you, it could affect your sobriety.

And please sack the Dumb Dumb that told you otherwise

Trickey

I agree with the others that it is EXTREMELY irresponsible of your sponsor to tell you to stop taking a drug; consequences may very well ensue. However, you should talk to your dr. about a non-addictive alternative to treating anxiety, because it is similar to alcohol and its continued presence in your system may get troublesome. There are many out there, and although trial and error may be tedious, it may be better in the long run.

Alot of AA's don't believe in taking meds, but there is a pamphlet about that subject at meetings. ask you're secretary. As long as you don't abuse them i don't see a problem with that.

I take .5mg x3 from just general anxiety, not for withdrawl. It is a substitute for booze because I self medicated for anxiety by drinking. I wish I could make my anxiety go away without drugs, but then again I wish I could fix my thyroid without drugs...sometimes they are nessessary. It's up to you and your strength, but I would hate to see you risk your sobriety.

sorry the drug I take is similar it's Niravam

I think my 34 year diazepam addiction and what I went through coming off gived me an insight into coming off it. The withdrawal symptoms after one year of 5 mg a day sould take no more than a month. The only way to come off is to gradually decrease the dose. Hospitalisation should not be needed. This is the worst time to do that. It is totally rediculous. When I came off alcohol just over a year ago, my spychologist increased my dose by 2 mg a day. I was also given Zopiclone to help me sleep. I am still taking them. I could strangle people who think they know what's best for you. They haven't got a clue. I have come off diazepam once for 2 years, my dose was much higher than yours. I wouldn't recommend you come off them until you feel strong enough to do so. It could be the worst set back. Wishing you well.

I cannot tell you all how relieved I am to read this post and the responses. I take an antidepressant and a med to help me with my weight. Neither one of these alters my thinking - it just does what it is supposed to do. I have been feeling SO SO guilty about this - and I have not been able to discuss it with anyone. Neither of these medications is for recreational use but I have still felt guilty. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to read these responses. Thank you so mucn.

Well I have to say something else - this just blows me away - that I have been walking around with this guilt - thinking that I was not really being honest - because I have taken something that I need but may or may not be approved of by AA. Clearly I was "raised" in a very strict group of AA and I would have been reprimanded had I confessed and told to change my sobriety date. You're right - all of you - if my doctor prescribes the meds - well there we are - wow. And the people in AA that would criticize me aren't doctors and don't know shit (sorry) about meds that are required for my welfare. Thank you again so much!

Here's the scoop--it's a benzo, and people become dependent/addicted/tolerant to benzos (if this was not a risk it would not be a controlled substance)--however, it is not as tightly regulated as narcotic pain medications (hence it has been "determined" by the almighty DEA that it has "less"potential for addiction/abuse then say, oxycontin).
Can you truly claim to be free of mind altering chemicals if taking this drug on a chronic basis? Questionable.
Should you stop/taper/decide your own course of treatment w/out your doctor's OK? DEFINITELY not.
If you want to witness a miserable, protracted withdrawal, check out someone who's been taking a long acting benzo for awhile when they go cold turkey--not a pretty sight.
Does your doc know you are in recovery? Does HE have any background in treating individuals with addiction diagnoses? Never assume MD after someone's name means they are knowledgable about thede types of disorders--many don't know SQUAT about addiction. (I wanted to say something other than SQUAT, but restrained myself)
Seek GOOD medical advice and good luck.