I have to say that this is not a good medication to take for anxiety, sleep or anything else. In fact, don't take it unless you have no other options. There are other medications effective for these things. I am on this drug, yet again, and I wish I wasn't. There really is no practical difference between "dependence" & addiction for all practical purposes, all it means is you don't have a psychological dependence on the drug--which really doesn't matter when you are going through the hell of withdrawal.
The withdrawal, btw, is worse than coming off cocaine (done appropriately). Abrupt cessation can cause seizures, hallucinations & death. Dependence can occur within 2 weeks.
I could write 10 pages of the hell of coming off this drug in small increments.
One important thing to know is that if you use this drug for anxiety there is a rebound effect that occurs when you try to come off it--which is why many people don't. They think that their anxiety is worse because they aren't on the medication when in fact it is the opposite, withdrawal causes even more severe anxiety than the original anxiety that was being treated and this withdrawal symptom can last a year before the body is able to regulate itself again. I had terrible anxiety for a very long time, and I had no anxiety issues.
This is only a small portion of what this drug can do to you--there is a reason most doctors will not prescribe it any more.
1 mg = 20 mg valium
I have been on benzos since I was 5, and this particular one since I was 10. It took me 1.5 years to withdraw from it (3 mg), which is not unusual. It did not get easier with time. The side effects are so lousy I wish I never went back on it again, but I had no choice because it is the only drug that successfully treats my epilepsy--& was the last drug tried after all else failed. And my seizures came back.
I know I'm an unusual case but I am also uniquely qualified to understand the effects, short & long term of this drug, not to mention all the research I had to do in order to get off of it.
I would strongly recommend thinking carefully before you decide to use this drug, and do not just rely on your doctor to tell you it is okay, many don't know enough about it. Take a look at the Ashton manual, written by Dr. Heather Ashton, to get an idea of what you are in for unless you plan to be physiologically addicted to this for the rest of your life.
Many doctors will tell you that you can be tapered off in 6-8 weeks, which is usually not the case.
I would not wish this on any one, to be completely honest... Every one has to decide for them selves, but I think you need to be aware there are very real risks with this drug than to just take it thinking it isn't that bad, or if your doctor said so then it must be safe or appropriate.
At least if you decide to do it anyway, you will not be going in blind.
