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Our Suboxone Clinic provides personalized programs for patients going through opioid withdrawal with the use of Suboxone & Buprenorphine!
I want to get off my Xanax (Klonopin, Ativan, etc.) but I don't know how!
A lot of patients take anxiolytic medication for a lot of very good reasons. Part of good mental health hygiene is taking your medicines as prescribed but there are ways of being totally free from the current anxiolytic medication that you take.
You might want to consider stopping them abruptly (NOT recommended) and tapering them (IS recommended, if desired). We dont take it as our prerogative to force people off their medications. Our duty is to find the safest right medication for you.
That being said, below find several links to sites that talk about and give recommendations on coming off of anxiolytics. See also our recommendations on how to handle anxiety without medication or additional medication.
How to stop taking anxiolytics?
A good article, but I recommend reducing the bedtime dose last, and reducing one dose by 1/4 of a pill seems to work best, and reducing not on a set schedule, but when you feel able.
CalmClinic
A good article with several helpful tips and a few free tests to evaluate your anxiety levels.
Anxiety Corner
Some apps may help with anxiety, you may research these apps at your leisure, try one out and see if it works, many are free. Some that are available are Breethe and Calm. You may find others that suit you better, but a lot of people get help from these apps.
Vergence Therapy
This is a very interesting technique for reducing anxiety in 3 minutes! It works about 80% of the time, the worse the anxiety the better it works, and it is a reflex reaction, meaning it doesn’t require you to concentrate or do much at all. It’s as much a reflex as when the doctor taps your knee and the knee goes out, you don’t have to think about it at all.
There is a link at the bottom for those who want to know more about this technique, however the technique is very simple, and described below. I have actually seen this reduce anxiety in a guy in full blown heroin withdrawal from a 10 out of 10 to a 5 out of 10 in 3 minutes.
How To Use Vergence Therapy
Hold a pen in front of your face at a comfortable to look at distance. Look at the pen for about 4 seconds (not necessary but having a clock that “ticks” beside you can help you keep count, but you don’t really have to do that. Just look at the pen for 3-5 seconds.
Then look at a ceiling or a wall at least 10-15 feet away, the further this wall is away the better (I think). Repeat the above process for 3 minutes. It is IMPORTANT to set a timer or look at a clock, because time becomes distorted when one is doing this.
Some people like to do this at bedtime but you can do it at anytime during the day. It will not put you to sleep necessarily. Most people (especially those who start out at a 7-8/10) feel a tremendous reduction in their anxiety right away. It works by turning on your “parasympathetic” system, which is your “chill, rest, relax” system. Try it, you have nothing to lose, but follow the instructions as above. For more detailed information, click the link. (Don’t try this while driving or doing any activity that requires concentration though.)
Anxiety Relief
“Touch and Return” method
(Short version) 20min 1-2 x a day Focus on the breath
Use diaphragmatic breathing if possible (see below for better explanation of this) When you find your mind wandering, making lists of things to do for the day, or other thoughts, just “notice” these thoughts, and then go back to the breath. Remember “all thoughts are not to be trusted. Add/Set a soft chime/gong to end your 20 min
Meditation
Meditation has clinical studies including functional MRI studies that indicates that it “calms” the brain. It works differently than hypnosis, and is not hypnosis, as it affects different parts of the brain than hypnosis. Being one of those who tried meditation several times never having it “work” for me, the following method works pretty well, and is pretty easy. The following article has a short version, and a long more detailed, explained, version. Try it. You may like it. And of course, do not do this while driving!
“Touch and Return” method
(Long version)
Focusing on the breath, there are many things about the breath that I can tell you and you may notice other things about it on your own. Feel the air as it comes in through your nose, down your throat, into the upper parts of the lungs then the lower parts. You may notice that the air is a little cooler going in and a little warmer coming out. Notice your abdominal muscles (see diaphragmatic breathing below) going in and out, easily, gently.
Diaphragmatic breathing. Often referred to as yoga breathing or prana breathing. This type of breathing uses the diaphragm to pull in the air instead of the chest muscles. It may help activate the parasympathetic system (chill/rest/relax system) rather than the sympathetic system (freeze/flight/fight system). To try this put a hand on your abdomen, and when you breath in you should push out with your abdomen against your hand and your chest muscles should stay fairly still. For some this comes easily, others it is harder, but that’s the simplest easiest way to achieve this. If you don’t get it at first just keep trying. This is part of focusing on the breath.
Thoughts. “All thoughts are not to be trusted”. This simply means that thoughts may occur to us and in this meditation technique we have no judgment on thoughts, we just “notice” them and then go back to the breath. We all have unwanted thoughts and these are simply under this category of “not to be trusted”.
Thoughts don’t have to intrude on your focusing on your breath. It’s just that if they do, you “notice” them, leave them alone, and come back to focusing on the breath. You may find that sometimes you have longer periods of time where you are simply focusing on the breath for longer and longer periods with no effort.
Studies do indicate that a high percentage of people who regularly meditate, experience some level of anxiety and/or unwanted thoughts at some point in time, while meditating. Just remember, you can stop at any time you like, or you can just “notice” those thoughts and dismiss them, going back to focusing on the breath. Remember, “all thoughts are not to be trusted”.
Constipation Relief
Constipation is a big problem for a lot of patients. A bowel movement daily is generally the least recommended number. A lot of information is available and it’s different for everyone. From Peak Colon supplement nightly to Miralax to other remedies, something may work for you that doesnt work for others. Search out “Constipation” on the following link, and they have a lot of reputable advice on other issues as well.
Below are some of the most viewed and shared resources regarding substance abuse treatment and substance abuse facts
Samhsa
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
Suboxone Reference Page
Learn more directly from the Suboxone website, a major medication for opioid dependence.
NA - Narcotics Anonymous
If you’re an addict, NA can help. “Narcotics Anonymous offers recovery to addicts around the world. We focus on the disease of addiction rather than any particular drug. Our message is broad enough to attract addicts from any social class or nationality. When new members come to meetings, our sole interest is in their desire for freedom from active addiction and how we can be of help.”
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Crystal Meth Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from addiction to crystal meth.
Cocaine Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous is a Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from their addiction.
Better Help
“Want to get off all medicines? This is a start! Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help. BetterHelp will match you to one of 19,000 licensed therapists. Get feedback, advice and guidance from your counselor.
What Is ADHD
What is ADHD and how do I treat it?
Follow this link to learn about ADHD from the MAYO Clinic.
NC Hope Project
N.C. HOPE Program Application Period Is Open, Offering Rent and Utility Assistance for North Carolinians Struggling to Recover from Pandemic
Legal Resources
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