Benzo addiction

Hi there mike62,

Thanks for your post and welcome to the forums.

I hear that you're experiencing issues with benzodiazepine medication dependency. This is actually quite a common problem, as it's easy to become dependent on benzodiazepine drugs like diazepam unless they're taken as a short course under medical supervision. I've actually experienced issues with diazepam myself as I've used it to self-medicate my anxiety before so I know how the dozy, relaxed feeling can be extremely appealing, especially if you're living with chronic anxiety issues or stress.

I don't think I ever became dependent, so have never had to seek medical assistance but if your body becomes physically dependent on this class of drugs then there withdrawal can be particularly unpleasant, and even if you're not physically dependent on them, stopping taking the medication can be hard because when you do, you begin to feel anxious again. I can understand why you're finding it hard.

For starters, you're taking a great step by talking to someone about the fact that you feel you've become dependent. We're not drug experts here at LGBT HERO, but there are lots of services out there that can help you feel more in control, and if you want to, help you try and come off the benzos in a controlled way which is as easy on you as possible.

I'd also say it might be worth looking into the underlying reasons that you found yourself taking the benzos. For me, it was to find relief from a chronic anxiety problem and insomnia that were seriously interfering with my ability to go about my daily life. Once received a couple of forms of therapy where I looked at those problems in detail, I managed to reduce a lot of my symptoms and drastically reduce reliance on sedative drugs. Have you considered trying therapy? CBT and psychotherapy can really help, and much of it is accessible online.

Most of all I just want you to be sure that you're safe. If you're looking for more information, then try taking a look at the FRANK page on benzos www.talktofrank.com/drug/benzodiazepines#the-risks . Be sure that you're not mixing them with alcohol as these are both depressants and it's a dangerous combination, and avoid mixing them with recreational drugs.

Below I'm going to list some services that I think can help.

GP: Your first port of call should probably be your GP. They should be able to provide the best advice on how to come off the drugs that you're taking, and if necessary provide a referral to a nearby drug support service, if that's something you want to engage with. I know this might seem intimidating but your GP is there to help, and not judge you. You can also ask them to refer you to IAPT, the service which grants access to psychological therapies like CBT.

Antidote: An LGBTQ+ charity called London Friend runs the wonderful Antidote service. I can vouch for them as in previous years I've accessed their service and they were really supportive and non-judgemental. You can call their helpline on 020 7833 1674 10AM-6PM, Monday to Friday, or access their support groups or one-to-one support. Find more information on their website: londonfriend.org.uk/antidote-drugs-alcohol/

ELOP: If you're thinking of trying therapy, then ELOP is a great organisation which offers therapy specifically tailored to LGBTQ+ people. Speaking to someone who is also part of the LGBTQ+ community can make therapy a more fulfilling and easier to navigate experience: www.elop.org/

I hope that you find some of the above helpful, if you've got any more questions then please don't hesitate to ask. Remember that things can and do get better and no matter your situation you can find a way to move forward.

All the best,
Justin

Don't worry about past addictions. I was addicted to crack before I became who I am today. Don't look at the past and keep moving forward.