Glad to be here, I am going through the same struggle as all of you. I would really love to believe that the Benzo's were the reason why SM was not working for me... but I'm still skeptical. Regardless, benzo's are nasty, highly addictive drugs... so at least I am getting off of that substance...

now for the alcohol...

Update: I have completely kicked the Valium I was on... It's been several days now since I've taken any at all and to be honest, I feel just fine without it.

B.

How did you go from 5mg Valium per day to zero in 2 weeks? I thought that a reduction like that was unwise. Currently, I'm on 2.5mg per day down from 60mg per day last year and 15 to 20mg per day in March of this year. I'll be titrating off to zero by the end of September.

Bob

Bob,

To be honest, I just went for it. I cut down to 2.5mg once a day for a few days and then just quit... I was a little uncomfortable for the first day or two and did not sleep well but for me it was not that bad at all. Quitting Xanax was 10 times worse than Valium.

Thanks. I may give it a try. Worst case: I have to take a pill. Best case: I'm off the Valium.

Bob

Exactly Bob, that's the same way I felt about it. I ended up just trying to go as long as I could throughout the day before taking the 2.5mg and then finally after a few days of making it till like 5-6pm I finally just decided to NOT take anything. I know some people react differently than others, but it was really pretty painless for me. Best of luck to you.

So what I am hearing is that if u take zanax (I take it for insomnia) the Nal will not work. I am on week 16 and TSM has done nothing for me!! I wonder why Sinclair never mentioned this.
My question is can I get off the zanax and take Ambien for my insomnia??Would that make the Nal more effective?


Thanks for any input

What Dr. Eskapa said is that benzos "may hamper TSM progress." What we've found is inconclusive. What we've concluded as a group is that it is nothing to get stressed out about at all.

The first graphs in this thread that I'm going to link show Bob3d's progress (he is a benzo user, now cured by TSM) : http://www.thesinclairmethod.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=690&sid=b3147d86840c6962e617881990bf0872

Don't sweat it cervizzi, you've got nothing to worry about. Just be patient.

Oh and...Welcome to TSM.com!! -Evan

Is AMBIEN a benzo?
I would appreciate am answer if any one knows, thanks.

from wikipedia:

"Zolpidem is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders. It is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic that potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, by binding to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors at the same location as benzodiazepines."