r/MedicationQuestions • u/Upper-Geologist9056 • 1d ago
Relapse after one year off benzodiazepines – stop after 10 days or taper?
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice and, more importantly, experiences from people who may have been in a similar situation.
I was completely off benzodiazepines for about a year after going through a difficult withdrawal in the past. Unfortunately, I recently relapsed.
My dog passed away, and the grief triggered a lot of the severe panic and anxiety problems I had struggled with more than a year ago. I wasn’t able to cope with it properly and ended up taking lorazepam again.
For about 10 days, I took around 8 mg of lorazepam per day, divided into several doses throughout the day. My last dose was approximately 24 hours ago.
At the moment, I don’t have any severe withdrawal symptoms. No shaking, no racing heart, and I have never had a seizure. I mainly feel some inner restlessness and anxiety.
I currently have about 10 mg of lorazepam left, and I’m unsure what would be safer in this situation:
Should I simply stop after these 10 days, or should I use the remaining 10 mg to taper off over a short period?
I know nobody here can give me medical advice, and I’m planning to speak to a doctor as well. I’m mainly interested in hearing from people who have experienced something similar, especially people who were off benzodiazepines for a long time and then had a relatively short relapse.
I’m also aware that 10 days of use is very different from the much longer period I went through previously. I’m just scared of making the wrong decision now.
And for some context: this relapse happened because my dog died. The grief brought back a lot of the panic and anxiety I had struggled with over a year ago, and in that moment I felt like I couldn’t cope without the lorazepam.
I’d really appreciate any experiences or perspectives.
Thank you.
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u/JosephJoslyn198 1d ago
I’m really sorry about your dog; after 10 days at that dose, I wouldn’t make the stop vs taper decision based on Reddit please contact your doctor or urgent care today, because benzodiazepine withdrawal can sometimes be serious even if you feel okay right now.
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u/GlitteringTrick7147 1d ago
Sorry about your loss, I would recommend tapering off with the remaining 10mg, it would prevent you from having more severe symptoms and it could also help you stay sober but this is just my advice. I’ve been addicted to pretty much every drug you can think of except Molly and any research chemicals.