From: Carol Packer

To: benzo@egroups.com

Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 8:53 PM

Hi Everyone,

We must not condemn ourselves or others for giving in to the temptation to take another drug or drink whilst in recovery because the physical and mental pain at times seems unbearable. The problem is though that this may give us only short term relief and can actually prolong the withdrawal, reawaken it or intensify the symptoms.

A classic scenario is we begin by taking a benzo, side effects occur and one of these is depression so we go back to the doc who then gives us an antidepressant which for a short while may help. We then start coming off the benzo and think maybe we are doing OK as yes we have some withdrawals but they are copeable with until we then decide we want to come off the antidepressant and suddenly we get severe symptoms, we get a double whammy because firstly we are now getting the withdrawal from the benzo because these were being held back by the antidepressant and secondly we are also getting the withdrawal from the antidepressant which has a similar set of symptoms although not as long lasting.

The same can happen if we take alcohol whilst on these drugs. Another problem for us is during withdrawal even when we have been off for a considerable amount of time because our natural chemicals have not yet reproduced enough and our central nervous system is not completely recovered we are still very vulnerable to the effects of other substances going into the body whether its more benzos, antidepressants, sleeping pills, betablockers, painkillers, alcohol or even antibiotics and you may find that you are improving then get a bad day and decide to just take one benzo or one drink then bingo you reawaken all the symptoms of your previous withdrawal again, this doesn't mean you are back to square one but that your body is not yet recovered and objects to more chemicals being taken in when its trying so hard to get rid of the first lot, its especially hard on the liver, that is why many of us have abnormal blood tests regarding our liver function.

The reawakened symptoms shouldn't last too long perhaps two weeks or so but again we are all different, I don't like to put time scales on things as if I do and it goes on for 15 days then you start doubting that its drugs and feel it a fault with yourselves even though it is part of withdrawal. I personally remember being told my withdrawal would be over in a month and of course was in total panic when it was still with me until i started attending groups and realised that withdrawal is an individual thing although patterns do emerge and symptoms clusters are common.

So please if you can try all the coping techniques and self-help strategies before you take that other pill or drink as you will only prolong an already difficult and agonising illness.

I hope this helps,

love Carol.