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Can Valium Or Serax Be Taken For Alcohol Withdrawal?
Question: I am in withdrawal from 5-7 alcohol drinks a day. So far I have 20 clean days. My local doctor has prescribed Ativan at two milligrams, four times a day to prevent panic, seizures, and help with my chronic anxiety problem that I have had for years. Unfortunately I have been on benzos for nearly 50 years. I find that Ativan is very sedative, that it works OK for the withdrawals, but has absolutely no effect on helping with anxiety. I am very fatigued at all times. I found the same problem earlier with Librium. I have read that Valium or Serax are not sedative, work well for alcohol withdrawal, and are excellent for nerves. I have taken both in the past with excellent success. Do you recommend either of these, or another effective approach? I feel I am at 76 years old, unlikely to stop benzos, or at best, would require a vey long time to taper down successfully.
Thank you,
XXXXXXX XXXX
Thank you,
XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
While I appreciate your attachment to benzodiazepines, they are contraindicated in people over 65 due to high risk of tolerance, withdrawal, memory loss, falls, fractures, and the like. Valium or Serax would only perpetuate this risk. You are outside the window for alcohol withdrawal at this time point (20 days) so this isn't a reason to use benzos. Instead, a more effective and safe approach for treating anxiety would be the use of gabapentin or pregabalin. These are very successful in treating anxiety in people with a history of alcohol use, are nonaddictive, and do not cause the many side effects of benzos. Ask you doctor about them.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
While I appreciate your attachment to benzodiazepines, they are contraindicated in people over 65 due to high risk of tolerance, withdrawal, memory loss, falls, fractures, and the like. Valium or Serax would only perpetuate this risk. You are outside the window for alcohol withdrawal at this time point (20 days) so this isn't a reason to use benzos. Instead, a more effective and safe approach for treating anxiety would be the use of gabapentin or pregabalin. These are very successful in treating anxiety in people with a history of alcohol use, are nonaddictive, and do not cause the many side effects of benzos. Ask you doctor about them.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Dr. Sheppe,
Thank you for your answer. I hope you are not suggesting that after 50 years, of continued use (or abuse as you see it) that I can stop cold turkey. My present doctor at Lourdes Counseling center tells me that sudden stopping would result in continuous panic, possibly seizures and even possibly death from a seizure. When they were first prescribed to me, the doctor told me that I could become dependent, but they are not addictive like opiates for example. Yes, this was the general feeling of doctors at this time which was just shortly after they were on the market. They quickly became the most prescribed medicines for a long time. My Lourdes doctor is planning to taper me very slowly. Possibly a year. I hope you agree with this.
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Doctor, did you get my follow-up question? XXXXXXX
Thank you for your answer. I hope you are not suggesting that after 50 years, of continued use (or abuse as you see it) that I can stop cold turkey. My present doctor at Lourdes Counseling center tells me that sudden stopping would result in continuous panic, possibly seizures and even possibly death from a seizure. When they were first prescribed to me, the doctor told me that I could become dependent, but they are not addictive like opiates for example. Yes, this was the general feeling of doctors at this time which was just shortly after they were on the market. They quickly became the most prescribed medicines for a long time. My Lourdes doctor is planning to taper me very slowly. Possibly a year. I hope you agree with this.
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Doctor, did you get my follow-up question? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Donot stop cold turkey
Detailed Answer:
Absolutely do NOT stop cold turkey. You need to taper slowly under guidance of your doctor. I am suggesting a replacement to help with anxiety: gabapentin or pregabalin.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Donot stop cold turkey
Detailed Answer:
Absolutely do NOT stop cold turkey. You need to taper slowly under guidance of your doctor. I am suggesting a replacement to help with anxiety: gabapentin or pregabalin.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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