Date: Thu Jul 5, 2001 3:32 pm

Subject: Re: [benzo] Digest Number 1678

Dear xxxxx,

I have lived what you are going thru. I was convinced that I would NEVER get better, or recover enough to live my life at the level that I had formerly known. However, I was WRONG! How will you ever know what its going to be like, if you don't get to that point of recovery?! When I felt that I couldn't handle another minute of benzo pain, I just lived in the realization that I HAD to recover, as what were my options?! Not much in my opinion, I was so ill and unable to function.

Today, despite some lingering symptoms, my life is really GREAT! I can get in my car and go anywhere, go to concerts, fly in a airplane, and do everything that was off limits to me in benzo withdrawal. I KNOW how much it hurts, and hey.....I had to do it at home with 3 small kids running around! Trust me, that was NOT easy! Regardless of your circumstances, Pain is PAIN and that is never easy to deal with, especially at this level. Whatever works for you......DO IT!!

Reading, watching TV, walking, talking, surfing the net.....keep busy in a way that keeps you distracted and not thinking about how awful you feel. I know its difficult, but when I made the effort, it was worth it.....I did become involved and it did help.

Keep the Hope & Faith.....

Sincerely, Denise