SWIM dont take valium daily, but could SWIM still be addicted?

[humdroid]

SWIM asked Y to put this serious question to you.
SWIM has sore hands.
Disclaimer: The "I" in the italicised text below, refers to SWIM and SWIM only.


"What can I expect, if I were to not take valium for three weeks, given the info below?
Here's my regime,

I dont take valium daily, and I never take it for more than 2-3 days.
On the days I take it, the total dose taken is from 5-15mg and no more.

After 2-3 days(varies) can sometimes be one I have a break of 48hrs, at least.
Usually it is 72hrs or 96hrs.

In december last year, I had a fortnight without, and felt no physical or mental signs of withdrawal.
Nothing, other than a little more difficulty sleeping, and back to my usual anxious self.

When I started back up on the regime, 5mg worked effectively, I felt I had no tolerance.

I took the 2 week break as I thought it would be good for my ego, and to reassure me I wasnt physcially addicted.
I did, indeed feel reassured of this, until I read wikipedia, and in particular, a point about bad withdrawal effects not being felt until the third week of not taking valium.

This new information made me anxious that afterall, I may be physically addicted.
Had I of taken three weeks off valium, and not two, would I have started to feel horrible withdrwals?
Was a fortnight not long enough to establish whether I did not have a phsyical dependency? I am not looking into stopping, I just want confirmation, and in particular, the last three questions

I have read benzo sites, and links from here, on addiction info, but I have no attention span, so the extensive reading I did went in one ear and out of the other.

Alot of them also assume you take valium daily, as most who are addicted do.

I have never taken it for more than 3days, as I find it loses its effectiveness.

I then realised I needed to come on here, and get an answer specifically tailored to my particular circumstances so I got Y to type this up for me.
- SWIM"


Hello, Y again, just to remind moderators that
The "I" in the italicised text above, refers to SWIM and SWIM only.

He would love and appreciate some answers tailored to his circumstances, and Y thanks you on his behavlf.

[Nahbus]

SWIM doubt SWIY is physically addicted to diazepam given your current regime. SWIM was prescribed 15mg diazepam daily for about a year, and for reasons not important to this thread, he was given 3 days of valium to stop. He did not feel any withdrawal symptoms at all after about a year of taking valium almost everyday.
Everyone is different, though, but honestly, SWIM wouldn't worry. If SWIY is really concerned, just stop taking valium for a month or so. Perhaps SWIY should try Kava Kava as an anxiety remedy. SWIM found that for continuous anxiety, benzos are really not the answer. They are great for certain occasions, but they really just mask the real issue, and even can worsen anxiety in the long run.
SWIM suggests trying other things for his anxiety and only using benzos for extreme cases. Perhaps SWIY should look into nootropics. Exercise and eating healthy can also do wonders for a healthy mind.
Don't worry about being addicted, not at the doses and durations SWIY currently uses, but SWIY also should not use them for constant anxiety, and SWIM knows this from personal experience.
Just try to relax, stay off the valium for a while and exercise, eat right, and if need be: try kava kava or some nootropics.
Good luck, SWIM knows how bad anxiety can be, but benzos are certaintly not the answer, they are just a short term solution to a long lasting problem that can be overcome without the use of drugs.
Good luck and stay safe!

Reputation Comments on this post:

Hard to believe that you had absolutely no WD after taking one year, could make other readers believe they also could ta...

[humdroid]

Disclaimer - The "I" in the italicised text below, refers to SWIM and SWIM only.

Hello again,
Y took your post to SWIM, and SWIM and his reply is below in green italics.

Thank you on his behalf

"Thank you.
This is the reason I don't take valium daily, would hate to have to daily rely on it.
I have agorophobia though, and am working out my issues with long term therapy.
In the meantime, I need to do grocery shopping, dental/docs appointments, etc, so I do have to rely on one or two, to get me out the door.
Forcing myself has consequences not for this thread.

I managed to go 6 days with a valium, but I realise that withdrawals may take more than this.
I never felt any distress in these 6 days oteher than my normal anxious state, but would expect to feel some withdrawals if a problem was there.

Still, its helped me use them less. Even if I havent been able to get out.

thank you
SWIM"

Disclaimer - The "I" in the italicised text above, refers to SWIM and SWIM only.