r/Glasgow Tools

Title	Seeking some advice (NHS/Rehab related)
Author	youngthugfan64
Body	Hey everyone, hope you are all well. I’ve been struggling with a benzodiazepine addiction for a few years now on and off. Since February, I’ve maintained a habit of about 6-8mg clonazepam daily, and on weekends this is usually accompanied by lots of alcohol and on occassion pregabalin. I decided enough was enough, and self-referred myself to an NHS drug service. This had to do with many reasons, particularly being in my final year of studies, finding a home in a housing crisis, and maintaining a work schedule that is at best chaos with all that is going on. After some consultation, I’ve been referred to a psychiatrist. What struck me however was that when I mentioned my use of the drugs above and the routine use of them I was advised to essentially continue buying them and taper off myself. I have no bitterness towards this, the drugs I have been taking are extremely costly to the NHS and I can understand why they would be hesitant to put me on an approved taper of some sort. What really puzzled me was that firstly I was advised to essentially continue what would be considered criminal activity, and secondly, I don’t know if I have the money to sustain buying the amounts needed for a gradual taper. I apologise for the rant, but for any healthcare professionals out there, my main question I suppose is whether there is any significant risk in a rapid self taper of the clonazepam. I’m planning to drop a miligram each week as I simply cannot afford to buy more. Hope everyone is keeping safe and for those in similar situations please do seek assistance because while I’m in a bit of a dilemma it definitely has helped. Thanks! 🤍✌️
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/q5yvqm/seeking_some_advice_nhsrehab_related/
Created	Mon 11th Oct 2021 4:53pm
Status	deleted (Removed by [deleted])

Hey everyone, hope you are all well.
I’ve been struggling with a benzodiazepine addiction for a few years now on and off.

Since February, I’ve maintained a habit of about 6-8mg clonazepam daily, and on weekends this is usually accompanied by lots of alcohol and on occassion pregabalin.

I decided enough was enough, and self-referred myself to an NHS drug service. This had to do with many reasons, particularly being in my final year of studies, finding a home in a housing crisis, and maintaining a work schedule that is at best chaos with all that is going on.

After some consultation, I’ve been referred to a psychiatrist. What struck me however was that when I mentioned my use of the drugs above and the routine use of them I was advised to essentially continue buying them and taper off myself.

I have no bitterness towards this, the drugs I have been taking are extremely costly to the NHS and I can understand why they would be hesitant to put me on an approved taper of some sort.

What really puzzled me was that firstly I was advised to essentially continue what would be considered criminal activity, and secondly, I don’t know if I have the money to sustain buying the amounts needed for a gradual taper.

I apologise for the rant, but for any healthcare professionals out there, my main question I suppose is whether there is any significant risk in a rapid self taper of the clonazepam. I’m planning to drop a miligram each week as I simply cannot afford to buy more.

Hope everyone is keeping safe and for those in similar situations please do seek assistance because while I’m in a bit of a dilemma it definitely has helped.

Thanks! 🤍✌️