Date: Wed Oct 17, 2001 3:22 pm

Subject: Thinking you won't recover?

Hi Guys,

I've come to think that one of the worst withdrawal symptoms is the inability to imagine yourself getting better. I write to quite a few people and I see this a lot. I used to be the same way because I thought I was different from everyone else. I would see people saying they were feeling well and I was just plain miserable. It seemed so far away for me and at times I felt I was fooling myself.

I thought I had some permanent damage and I would just dwell on it all the time. And the more I dwelled and stressed the worse I felt. So for anyone out there thinking that they are different and they won't get better, please don't believe this. It's the benzo monster speaking. There are many here ahead of me who have improved tremendously. I have also been able to see others improve myself.

Please allow yourself to be sick but stay positive, avoid stress if possible, get out of the house now and then, eat a healthy diet and LET MORE TIME PASS. No matter how long it takes or how often you have setbacks, you will be rewarded.

Much healing, strength and patience,

Tom-14 months benzo free