Answered questions(8)
Switching to Valium to stop a serious drinking problem
I have been using 10 mg of valium per day for the past 3 weeks as a tool to keep my anxiety under control while I try to get a handle on a serious drinking problem. I think I originally developed an alcohol problem in part because I self medicate social anxiety with a few drinks – and then it grew into something much more from that starting point. I do understand that valium is a very addictive drug but right now my focus is firmly on just trying to stay sober. This is my first real period of sobriety after a decade or so of hard drinking. I understand that I should not stop using the valium very suddenly. How long do you think I should continue to use the valium for before it is safe enough for me to start tapering off it without causing undue risk of an alcohol relapse?
Read answer →I'm having problems stopping Klonopin
trying to find a rehab that is long term. I take klonopin for anxiety daily at a low dose and do not abuse it, however I cannot get off of it. I have tried many times and failed. i tapered over 3 months got down to .0625mg (which is 1/8 of a .5mg) once in the morning... stabilized there for 4 weeks and then stopped taking it.. I lasted two days before the anxiety came flooding back and had to updose to stabilize at .5mg twice a day.
Read answer →Klonopin Withdrawal
Dr. Shipko, I have been off .5 mg./day of Klonopin for 8 months now. I had been on Klonopin (various doses) since 1995, weaned off with great difficulty and stayed off for 20 months before reinstating. I have been experiencing anxiety and in particular stomach problems (no ulcer) that just haven't quit over the past 8+ months. I would be happy to be reassured that this withdrawal process just takes time and that over time I will be feeling more back to normal. I am 65 now and recently retired. Can't find an understanding GP or psychiatrist but do see a therapist every so often.
Read answer →Self-Conscious in Social Situations
Whenever I am I a social situation it feels like I am an actor playing a script of me...I don't know how better to explain it, but its almost like I am looking at things from an outside perspective (not really, but I am always thinking about how everyone around me is perceiving everything I am doing) and the instead of just being able to act naturally and enjoy myself I feel like I am in a spotlight all the time or like I am on stage in a play and that everyone is watching me and judging me on everything I do. I don't know why, but I feel this especially when I am out with my kids and I am talking to them in public. Whenever we are at home and alone it's just very natural and fun but as soon as there is an 'audience' I start feeling really self conscious about everything I say and I am always feeling like people are constantly judging me on my parenting skills. Why am I like this and how can I stop being like this?
Read answer →Opiate Dependency and Panic Anxiety
I have GAD and panic disorder and I am addicted to lortabs and somas. I would like to try to wean myself off by tapering because I do not think i could handle a full on detox. My question is concerning controlling my anxiety while I reduce my daily dosage. The opiates work well to control my anxiety and when I take less my anxiety goes up quite badly. Is there anyway I can reduce the anxiety that comes with tapering? My friend recommended xanax but I think it is going to take me at least a month to taper and the last thing I want it to get addicted again to any kind of benzo. I have been through that before and I will never do that again.
Read answer →Looking for low-cost group home
Hello Dr. Shipko, I apologize that this message is so long. But I will try to summarize the best I can. I have a 24 yr old son, who we've been trying to help for the last 10 years with his mental health issues and addiction problem. My husband and I have never had drug/alcohol addiction, however my dad and my grandfather have been alcoholics. My son's problem started when his older brother (who had an opiate addiction) relapsed and tragically died of an overdose at the young age of 20. Our remaining son who at the time was 14 spiraled into a deep depression and debilitating anxiety kicked in shortly after (prior to this, we did notice that he had anxiety issues, but exaserbated). He isolated himself and threw himself into an online game that he used to cope. He would stay up all through the night playing and would have little communication with anyone. Despite our efforts of counseling, drug therapy prescribed by a psychiatrist, SPECT scan by the Amen Clinic, (which showed that he had anxiety disorder and mood disorder) etc. nothing seemed to work. He would have out of control rage and take it out on my husband and I. After a 1 1/2 years of this he went back to school, but when he did he started using alcohol first and then it turned into other drugs. He eventually was arrested at the age of 18 for posession of ecstasy and stolen property. He was ordered to a 6 month program, which he did and seemed to be doing better once he was out. Unfortunately, he soon got back into the drug scene and started using opiates. He has been on suboxone, which he has weaned himself off of just recently. He is sober now, but his addictive behavior goes into other areas of his life. Prior to giving notice, he worked in Las Vegas for a well known magician. After 8 months he decided to leave because of addiction to gambling and anxiety issues. He's now home with us (in California) and needs help to get his life on track. My husband and I have depleted all our savings, retirement, etc. to try to help our boys. My husband left his lucrative position when Aaron was 16 because we felt that we were losing him, too. Now we are at a point where we both are without work and financial means to help him. If you have any suggestions of low cost group home for young men who have mental health issues along with addiction issues to get some life coaching and possibly medication to help with debilitating anxiety would be so much appreciated. Or if you have any other suggestions? We are at a point where we know there's not more we can do, but want to try to reach out to other experts in this matter. Thank you so much - CC
Read answer →Will Klonopin increase my risk of Alzheimers?
There is a history of early onset Alzheimer’s in my family. I have anxiety problems and am prescribed clonazepam to take as needed when I feel panic but I am concerned about how this could have a long term impact on my memory. Will this drug increase my risks for Alzheimer’s in any way shape or form?
Read answer →I am addicted to benzodiazepenes but my doctors won't taper them because I am on methadone.
I have been on benzodiazepines since about 2007. I started with 2.5 mg of Xanax a day then that got switched to 2mg of clonazepam and 4 mg of lorazepam a day. that got switched to just 2mg of clonazepam a day and I got off of the clonazepam once about 2 years later and my doctor tapered me off in a week. I was in hell. I begged her to help me and she began prescribing it again. 2mg of clonazepam a day. I could sleep and function again. That was the only time (about 3 weeks) that I have not been on benzos. Now I am on 5mg of nitrazepam and 3mg of clonazepam a day and its been like this for at least 4 years and Im so thin I cant gain weight, food tastes different I don't like foods that I used to like.. I get nauseous and get sick very often. I found out I have severe GI disease and Im terrified. Im only 25. Im also on methadone and Im tapering off that at the moment. I know Im addicted to these pills but I don't know what to do about it. I know the right thing is to probably get off of them but I have school and work and coming off methadone is difficult as it is. My doctors refuse to talk to me about changing my benzo doses because Im on methadone. what should I do?
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