Posted by alan on December 26, 1998, at 4:41:53
In reply to Re: Benzos addiction, posted by Mistica on December 25, 1998, at 22:06:56
> > Please help with any suggestions. I am withdrawing from Halcion. Eeeks. Over a period of months with my drs. guidance but would like to know if others have had problems with this drug and what can be done to 1) sleep without it, and 2) alleviate the distress related to withdrawing. I really just want some sleep. Thanks.
>
x As for sleeping, I certainly second the suggestion that you get on an exercise program. And try to follow the general rules that seem to come out in the popular press at least once or twice a month. There are also web sites. Stuff like keeping regular hours, no alcahol or caffeine for several hours before bedtime, get out of bed when you can't sleep and do something relaing like reading a light novel (or try Kant's Critique of Pure Reason; that can be stronger than Halcion)--etc.
As for withdrawal, I've never used sleep aids for more than a day or two, so I don't know what Halcion itself is like. But what I have done to withdraw from benzos with complete success and usually no discomfort is this. 1. Shift to a long acting benzo--I assume anything used for sleep is meant to not act for very long. 2. Taper off at a snail's pace; when necessary, do backtrack by a very small amount, and try to go even slower; at a certain point learn to cut the pills with a razor blade into smaller and smaller pieces, if necessary. Once you have reached the point where you can't cut half of one mg. of valium any smaller. take a few specks for a few days. Then stop. This will probably not be neccesary, but it is an option. I think it is important to avoid any real setbacks during the process. And of course work with your doctor who knows you and medicine.
Good luck. Now, if you could tell me how to stay awake.....
poster:alan
thread:1722
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19981201/msgs/1739.html