Is twice a week Valium use a “safe” amount? By that, I mean risk of dependence and tolerance? I’m really conflicted. I use Klonopin as well, as needed. I sometimes can go a week without needing any, but it always ends up that I eventually take a minimal amount ( 5 mg/ day for Valium, 0.5 mg/ day for Klonopin). Can I do this indefinitely?
Twice a week benzo use? I need honest answers.
Question posted by Bakerretiree on 19 Aug 2020
Last updated on 10 May 2022
Answers
You didn’t mention in your post what triggers you to take either med, which is important. Whether it is a panic attack, a social situation, waking up daily with anxiety, or because you just need to feel better all matters in terms of dependence, from an addiction standpoint. You also titled this twice a week Valium, but later stated you take a small dose of Valium and Klonopin daily, which is possibly because you don’t want to imagine yourself taking it daily, but once you think about it and are being honest with yourself, you realize you are? It’s hard to tell from the information you gave. A lot could be conferred. Either way, Tolerance can build with daily and twice weekly use, but is more likely to occur and faster with daily use. Some people are prescribed these meds and do successfully treat their anxiety on an indefinite basis, it just depends on the person whether or not they become dependent or need increasing doses, or become addicted. Your mentioning needing honest answers seems like you may be concerned you are becoming dependent upon these meds and it could be conferred you are worried about addiction. I would mention these concerns to whomever is prescribing both of these meds, assuming you do have a prescription. There are other options available for anxiety that might not cause you as much concern.
I suffer from occasional panic attacks, and wake up every morning with anxiety. The Valium is no longer a concern. I can stop Klonopin for up to 2 weeks at a time, but I invariably go back on it again. My doctor has so far not had a concern about this, so I guess I should just take one day at a time. By the way, since I first posted this, I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and have learned that anxiety is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s…..go figure.
Using it twice a week is totally fine. It sounds like you use it sometimes even less than how it's prescribed by your provider, so you're in the clear. The issue of tolerance/dependence is a tricky one, because any prolonged amount of use of a benzodiazepine does result in some tolerance, but this is normal. The body does get used to medications if you've been taking them for years, and sometimes after years you need to increase the dose of the benzo. Again though, I wouldn't worry in your case as it sounds like you don't even use it every day and really just use both meds as needed.
If you ever reach a point where you're struggling to stay within the directions on the bottle and really needing it more often, then I'd talk to your doctor about possibly increasing the dosage or trying a different medication (from another drug class, can add in as supplemental to help with anxiety).
Hope this helps.
Sometimes it’s 3 times a week, occasionally 4. No more than .5 mg/day. I know it’s a light dose, but my paranoia (and anxiety!) get the best of me. I hate feeling like this. I wish benzos were not so dangerous. Thanks for your input.
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klonopin, valium, tolerance, benzodiazepine, risk, dependency
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