June 5, 2009 - 8:50pm
My daughter takes 8 blue Xanax (Alprazolam) a day. She is a single mom, was caught in a downsizing with the company she had worked for 12 years and laid off in March. She is looking for work and presently drawing Unemployment. She has a doctor's prescription for this medication.
She cannot go into rehab, unemployment benefits will stop and she will lose everything she has. There is no problem with the son as his father is involved in his life and contributes child support.
After reading various articles on the internet, I see withdrawal from this amount of Xanax will not be so easy. She really has a problem. I have asked her to taper off, try 7 a day for a week, then 6 a day and work it down. But she's hooked.
I have asked her to give me ten -15 days, in my home, me handing out the Xanax, no car, no cell phone, one on one with me and her dad. Her son can stay with his dad. I am at my wits end with this and just asking if any of you out there know or have been hooked on Xanax and will a backing off slowly of the dosage help to eventually get it totally out of your system without killing her while doing that?
I called local rehab today and she would have to check in and they would give her reduced amouts of Xanax but I was told they would give her phenobarbital. I realize from reading withdrawal can cause dizziness, panic attacks, and insomnia which I can handle but seizures is what concerns me.
Has anyone here successfully backed off of Xanax. I don't know if 8 blue ones a day is a large doseage as I have never seen a Xanax but I have a 37 year old daughter that I love dearly and need whatever advice you can provide.
Thank you!
June 5, 2009 - 9:13pm
#2
Carolinawoman
this is just general discussion
1st her in a rehab program should not effect her eligibility for unemployment benefits, they do however draw a line on anyone convicted of drug offenses, the person must be eligible to go to any available work, speak with your county behavior specilists they keep things confidential
the use of the herbal supplement ST. JOHNS WART may help, check it out on the web
the withdrawal of this will be slow, an she may need special help
I will prescribe 100mgs of G.P.S. an ask that he help your family in your time of need (GODS PRECIOUS SON)
the economy is hitting everyone hard, an I don t think its has peaked yet, I too worry about the trying times my son is going thru.
is the xanax all that her DR. has her on most Dr. s would have her on maybe something else too
If she has mortage or car payments the Dr. may write a letter stating her problem so disability insurance cover her bank notes, if she has this much anxiety trouble she might ought see the Dr. an file for Disability, you know your situation more than anyone, an I never try to tell no one how to manage their or their family affairs, I can only consul my own immediate family.
keep us updated Woodstock
June 5, 2009 - 10:25pm
#3
8mg a day is just a tad
8mg a day is just a tad excessive. My doctor is weary that I take 3mg a day and I am a 6'3'' 225 guy. Well its not impossible to overcome addiction but I think it sounds like your plan would work, you holding on to her xanax and dispensing it to her and each week decreasing it by one pill. Is she willing to let you do that? Is she the one that wants to quit taking xanax? Is she abusing them and thats what the problem is? Is her xanax causing problems in her life or does she actually need it but not such a large amount?
I know I asked a lot of questions but the more info you give us the more people on this site might be able to help you.
June 5, 2009 - 11:44pm
#4
She is 5'5" and 130 lbs. She
She is 5'5" and 130 lbs. She calls me crying, every day since she was laid off. She worked in a high stress medical clinic. She didn't take the Xanax until one year ago this month and didn't start out on the blue ones at first.
The rehab clinic here said, no phone calls and she would not be available to apply for employment during the time she would be there and minimum stay is 30 days so unemployment compensation would cease. I just don't like the idea of putting her on something else at that clinic to get her off of something (if that makes sense.) She automatically said no.
Maybe she does need them but not in such a large dose and now she has no health coverage or Rx coverage because she couldn't afford the COBRA even with the Obama discount. But she refills the Xanax, her doc has her on Prozac too but she doesn't even take that.
Her dad and I are retired and here 24/7 to help. We can handle all the side effects listed and except I worry about seizures and heart palpitations.
After my first post, we went out to her house. Her Rx is the blue Xanax but only for 120 a month, which is 4 a day (first time I have seen the bottle) and she is taking 8 a day and she gets the other 120 from a friend that has same Rx and can't take them!!!! So yes I would say she is abusing them.
She has never been a pill or medicine kid growing up, during college or in her work, she's never drank or smoked any dope. Now she is hooked and gets frustrated because she says "I have to have them and hate the day in June I ever saw these things." But she can't let them go.
I still think if we can convince her to stay here with me and her dad 24/7 and control her diet and the pill intake we can at least reduce the number of pills she is taking and eventually get her off Xanax. I have a different doctor from her and been with him since the '70's if I run into problems he would help me out (speaking in case of seizures.) We can handle mood swings, insomnia, memory loss and all the other things.
I just need to know if anyone has attempted to kick Xanax on their own without rehab by reducing the dosage and had success.
I realize she can't just stop cold turkey.
You asked is she the one wanting to quit, apparently she is reaching out to me for help as I was not aware of the 8 Xanax a day until she finally told me what she was doing and that took tonight to find out about the friends Rx too.
All I know about Xanax, I have found out today on the internet, reading on various websites.
June 5, 2009 - 11:56pm
#5
I am not a doctor but I
I am not a doctor but I suggest she take the prozac and maybe it will be easier to take less xanax. She sounds depressed and I can clearly see she probaly has more anxiety since she is not working. I understand she cant quit cold turkey or reduce her intake dramatically because of seizures.
Is there anyway you can talk to her friend and let her know how much she is hurting your daughter buy selling her prescription to her or maybe she can give her prescription to you so you can disperse the pills in a safer manner.
June 6, 2009 - 12:36am
#6
My sister has been through this
A few years back, my sister had been abusing xanax. She had to go cold turkey, but had a friend stay with her for three days. She told me it was horrible: vomiting, cold sweats, inability to sleep or even walk around without help. She said it was like the worst flu times a hundred. Your daughter is lucky that you are willing to get her through this. I understand also why she does not want to go into treatment. If she is sincere in wanting to get off xanax, it can be done with your assistance. Make sure that she doesn't have any pills stashed away while you're titrating her down. Wishing you and your family the best! Theresa
June 6, 2009 - 3:15am
#7
OH BOY!
Yes 8 mg per day for, someone that light is going to be a real problem, i'm surprised she is ever awake. I take 4 mg of alprazolam generic for xanax. with no problem, but when i went broke and could not cover the doctor and he had no heart to write me a weaning rx, i crashed hard no sleep for 5 days, jumpy, paranoid, shaky, the works.
See if you can get her to your house, get her to look at the info online, so she understands that she has to come off this stuff, and how.
It is something, that all other meds are in the 30- 100- 325 mg range, 2-3-4-----8 mg just does not seem like much 8 one thousands of a gram.
Best of all things I hope to hear back from you, that she is doing better.
June 6, 2009 - 8:22am
#8
8 mgs a day
is a large dose and she will have a rough road ahead of her. My concern is for you and your husband, if she is not 100% committed to quitting she could easily turn your household upside down. She may not intentionally try to put the both of you through ???$* but in my humble opinion if you bring her into your home to detox it will affect your family in ways you can't even imagine. I know you love your daughter very much,reading your post that is evident but she needs professional help outside the realm of what you can probably give her. I have gone through this with a loved one (sister) and the drama and resentments went deep. Right now money shouldn't be the primary concern the focus should be her taking responsibility for her life and understanding things about herself and why she needs to abuse these medications. A good treatment center can detox her and teach her the life skills she needs to cope with reality.Stopping ingesting the pills is only the first step in a long road to getting her life back.
I apologize if my post sounds harsh that is not how it is meant to be taken. My heart goes out to your whole family because I know exactly what you are going through. Be there for her and support her,let her know you love her but this is a situation only she can take charge of without anyone enabling her
Again, my heart goes out to you and I will pray for your family.She can do this and come out a stronger person for it . Remember,"nothing changes if nothing changes". Best wishes, Greg
June 6, 2009 - 11:00pm
#9
Thank you!
Thank you everyone for your helpful information. I know she can beat this. I just didn't want to kill her kicking the Xanax. Yes, I think once this dependence and withdrawal is over she will need to see a counselor. Again thank you for taking your time to reply to my post.
June 6, 2009 - 11:08pm
#10
keep us updated
carolinawoman
June 7, 2009 - 12:08am
#11
When....to: CarolinaWoman
The fact that you've said your daughter feels as if she has to get more xanax from a "friend" who you stated happens to get them Rx'd BUT CANNOT TAKE THEM!?! Why is he on Methadone? And, is your daughter sleeping most all of the time? Because it sounds to me as if she may be using the extra xanax to counteract yet another drug habit (whether Rx'd or not) therefore if this is the case, she will not sleep all the time b/c YES THAT IS A VERY HIGH/LETHAL DOSAGE. Do you know if she engages in "I refer to it as "CR__ ap", cocaine or whatever the new name is!). When u really love someone, you do what it takes to save the life of your daughter! Do you know why the xanaxer Rx'd individual cannot take his/her Xanax but yet is being Rx'd it? Do you ever read the labels on his/her Rx bottle? Personally, I find it difficult for me to say, & nevermind I will stop here b/c I know she is headed for deathaster, either while driving or if she runs out abrubtly - seizures! Get her help fast, & I will pray for you, really, I will. One time when I was starting to feel that my usage of a Rx'd Xanax was getting out of control, long time ago, luckily this is what helped me: 1). Acknowleding that I had a problem at that time, yes I was under much stress - but I didn't want to end my life or anything like that. 2). Sought medical help, well, really self-medical help & it bloody well worked for me - so I began to take Paxil (not the E.R.) & it truly helped alot w/ the nerves & w/d symptoms. Now that particular antidepressant has side-effects, well I may get bleeped but they make you extremely %$*?!, {sexual appetite is way up there} very much so!!! Don't laugh. Pharmacist said that that was normal side effect. But get a professional if you can afford it! She, your daughter needs you, she just does not realize it now! GOD BLESS YOU!
June 7, 2009 - 12:28am
#12
She is not on a deadly dose,
She is not on a deadly dose, 8mg a day. If she takes the same 8 mg a day she will be able to function because she will have built a tolerance. Its probaly not a very therapuetic dose being that she is probaly smaller being a woman, and she probaly doesnt need that much. Just like you said, the mother, you had no idea she was taking that many because she has built a tolerance and you couldnt tell anything was wrong because she came to you. It could be a deadly dose if the person has never taken xanax before, I am not trying to get off the topic or split hairs.. But if she continues on this path and if she is mixing xanax with other drugs or drinking with the xanax then yes, she will be putting her life at risk.
June 7, 2009 - 10:20pm
#13
this is a case of where if there was
a placebo, her mother could bring her down to 6 in 2 weeks to 4 in another, let the mind do the rest, if carolinawoman could split the pill an get her daughter to tilt her head back an close her eyes she might could do it with a 1/2 a dose, but she have to give her water an not let het ever see the medication
June 7, 2009 - 10:59pm
#14
That would only work if she
That would only work if she was 2 years old. I would not try that. You are going to make her very mad at you and not trust you. If she is ready to get off or reduce her meds, she will. She trusts you and I would not ruin that relationship. Take care, htmom
June 7, 2009 - 11:12pm
#15
If her daughter really wants
If her daughter really wants to change then she will give all her pills to her mom and let her mom dispense them as she sees fit. If her daughter says no then she really doesnt care about changing.
June 8, 2009 - 12:42pm
#16
The dosage schedules I've
The dosage schedules I've seen for coming off benzos generally reduce the dose by .5 mg per month. Don't know if you could do one mg at first since she is on such a high dosage. To substitute phenobarbital for Xanax sounds just plain dangerous.
June 8, 2009 - 2:44pm
#17
My blessings and heart go out
My blessings and heart go out to your family.
Just remember, your NOT alone, and one struggle leads to more experience and strength down the road. You will Always come ou ton top in a loving and caring family. I wish my family was as close knitted as yours.
Again, my blessings.
June 8, 2009 - 11:50pm
#18
No SSRI's
...they will make symptoms of withdrawal exponentially worse. Benzos are commonly prescribed during initiation of treatment with SSRI's (prozac) to offset the side-effects, and then they are gradually withdrawn. She NEEDS either a psychiatrists help to wean her off, or get her onto a long acting benzo. Then there is the pheno detox you mentioned...I know it's not pleasant, but she's put herself into this situation.
As noble a task as you are about to undertake, you cannot succeed alone. Of all drugs. licit, and illicit, benzodiazepines can be lethal in withdrawal. Don't take any chances.
June 25, 2009 - 10:22am
#19
8 per day
I was taking 8 per day about 7 years ago. I tried to stop cold turkey. I had terrible grand mal seizures and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. God only knows what would have happened to me if my girlfriend wasn't there to call the ambulance.
Good luck to you and your daughter.
June 25, 2009 - 12:00pm
#20
How's this
...working out by the way? I hope everything is going smoothly.
June 25, 2009 - 2:40pm
#21
Just read this.. Benzo taper
Just read this.. Benzo taper is THE hardest taper to do. It takes a lot of time, support and care for it to work properly. Her best bet would have been rehab for it due to the severity of the WD's.
Benzo's can not be safely cold turkey'd like opiates can. People have died before from rapid benzo detox.
I hope everything is going well with it being 3 weeks into it. Best of luck!
June 25, 2009 - 7:38pm
#22
A Rehab center
May very well give her phenobarbital to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. A rehab center knows what they are doing. She needs to get into one to beat this. She is taking twice the prescribed amount, abusing the xanax. She needs professional help.
June 25, 2009 - 10:26pm
#23
Benzo withdrawal
Because of the long half-life and active metabolites, Valium is frequently used to withdrawal from shorter acting Benzos like Xanax. Phenobarbital also has a long half-life and similar action to Benzos. Since it is a Barbiturate, it is less frequently used, because there is a tighter therapeutic to lethal dose range.
The reason for using these drugs is to ease withdrawal symptoms and avoid seizures from Benzo withdrawal.
I am not a doctor. All I know is from my personal experiences and research.
June 27, 2009 - 7:02pm
#24
I was on Xanax for 20 year ,
I was on Xanax for 20 years , go online and type in Heather Ashton Manual, she has helped at least 200 people gget off Benzo's , I'm not a Docter but I went through tapering off this medicine from her website. It tells you how to taper and she gives great information.
I'ts not easy but it is worth it good luck
Shay
June 28, 2009 - 3:13am
#25
shay99
The Heather Ashton Manual is exactly what I was thinking of. Thanks for the contribution. It is a free manual, just "google it". The slow withdrawal is what I find interesting.
June 28, 2009 - 8:14am
#26
hospital
After I had the seizures but before the ambulance got there I must have been having halucinations because my girlfriend said that I kept asking for my knife as if I was scared someone was trying to harm us. I have never owned a knife in my life. Later at the hospital they gave me two 0.5mg xanax and then I was fine.
July 3, 2009 - 4:59pm
#27
We are going to make it!!
We are going to make it!! 
It is difficult, actually it has been h e l l. We stopped the friend that was supplying the extra pills each month ...'do you want me to bust your kneecaps with my Louisville Slugger?" Just teasing there, but made a personal visit when her hubby was present. It seems our daughter was giving the friend $50 for the extra pills.
Daughter has had a rough time, mean, mean, mean, depression, tears, tears, walking the floor with no sleep, up and down, you name it and this was just bringing her off the 8 blues a day. We have had a bad week, but I am proud of our daughter, another friend called our house Monday and I let daughter talk to her. The friend was prescribed the 'blues' and couldn't take them ... asked daughter if she wanted 30 'blues' and believe it or not, daughter said no and then sat down and cried because she wanted them so bad.
We start the day with a prozac which her doctor prescribed and she is still taking the 4 blues a day, which is a prescription from her doc. At least it's not the 8 a day so we are making progress. Her doc is going to move her to a lower dose of the Xanax, the orange pill.
It is a difficult thing to kick, she found a sponsor for NA but in her present condition she can't attend any meetings yet and she is still so up and down with this addiction and has yet to admit, she is an addict just the 'mom I have a problem and need help.'
I want to thank each of you that responded to my cry for help post. Your comments and private messages were greatly appreciated.
8 a day is a very large dose of xanax.She might have to seek help to get off that amount.