Date: Wed Oct 17, 2001 8:09 am

Subject: HOPE

Hi everyone:

Today is my one year anniversary of freedom from benzos! One year ago today was my first day off of Klonopin. I can't say it was easy, but I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the past couple of months my symptoms have begun to dwindle--they are still present but at such a reduced rate that I can actually, finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I look forward to the day that I can write to all of you and tell you that they are gone. But the message that I want to send all of you is---it WILL happen. No one doubted it more than I did. In the worst of it, I was certain that I was the exception that would have symptoms forever. I see now, that that is another symptom of this ---the hopeless feeling of being mired in a situation that will not change. But it does.

There are so many people on this site, as well as the protracted site, that have helped me immeasurably. Without all of you, I know I would have given up.

A word of advice, don't give up. Don't give in to taking another benzo, a drink of alcohol (which for me remains a threat), stay on a good diet and try to rest and be good to yourself. Emotional upheavals are our enemy. I know that its impossible to avoid all emotional strain, but try to put it in perspective.

Ask yourself if you are feeling particularly vulnerable because of the nature of the problem, or if it is amplified by the benzo withdrawal. Nine times out of ten, whether you can believe it or not, it is the benzo w/d that is making your emotions so raw. This for me, was a huge challenge.

Good luck, everyone. Stay with your program, whatever it is and it will get better.

Love

Claudia