The Decision to Quit: Why I Chose to Stop Benzos

The day I decided to quit benzodiazepines wasn’t dramatic. There was no rock bottom moment, no headline-worthy crisis. It was quieter than that—just me, staring at a pill in my hand, realizing my life now bent around something that once was “just for anxiety.” That quiet realization changed everything.

I chose to stop benzos because the “help” slowly became a cage: worsening anxiety, blunted emotions, creeping cognitive problems, and fear of being without a pill. Learning about tolerance, withdrawal risks, and long‑term brain changes made it clear—staying on them felt more dangerous than facing a careful, supported taper.

Why I Finally Questioned My Prescription

Benzos were initially presented as a short‑term bridge: “Take this while we get things under control.” Months turned into years.

Over time, I noticed:

• Rebound and interdose anxiety – my anxiety surged when doses wore off, often worse than before I ever took a pill.[4][9]
• Tolerance – the same dose did less, conversations about “maybe increasing” started, and I felt trapped in a cycle.[9]
• Subtle cognitive decline – word‑finding issues, brain fog, and memory lapses that felt “too much” for my age.[9]

Articles about tolerance withdrawal and GABA receptor downregulation helped me understand that my nervous system had adapted to chronic benzo use; my symptoms were not proof that I “needed” more—they were signs my brain was struggling to function without them.[9][10]

Reading about the long‑term effects of Ativan on cognition and similar concerns for other benzos made me ask the hardest question: If I feel this way now, what will another five years look like?

The Cost I Couldn’t Ignore Anymore

Emotional cost

I started to feel like a flatter version of myself—less joy, less spontaneity, more emotional numbness. Friends said, “You seem distant.” I felt it too but couldn’t explain why.

Our article on reclaiming your personality after long term benzodiazepine use put words to what I was experiencing: when your nervous system is dialed down for too long, parts of your personality get dialed down too.

Functional cost

Day‑to‑day life slowly narrowed:

• Saying no to social events because I worried about timing doses.
• Difficulty with focus at work, forgetting details, rereading emails.
• Growing fear about driving, traveling, or staying somewhere without my medication.

It wasn’t just treating anxiety anymore—it was organizing my life around not running out.

Medical and safety concerns

Learning more about benzos made the decision heavier but clearer:

• Physical dependence and withdrawal can develop even at prescribed doses, especially with long‑term use.[4][9]
• Withdrawal can involve rebound anxiety, insomnia, cognitive issues, and in some cases seizures, especially with abrupt stopping or high doses.[1][4][7]
• Mixing benzos with alcohol raises serious overdose and respiratory depression risks, something covered in detail in The Risks of Mixing Benzodiazepines With Alcohol.

When I read about the kindling effect—where each withdrawal can become worse than the last—it hit me: every “on and off” cycle could be making my nervous system more sensitive over time. Staying stuck didn’t feel safe anymore.

Making the Decision: Why I Chose to Taper Instead of Stay

In the end, my decision came down to three truths:

1. Benzos no longer felt like a bridge; they felt like a ceiling.
2. My symptoms were increasingly tied to the drug itself—tolerance, interdose withdrawal, cognitive fog—not just my original anxiety.
3. A gradual, supported taper gave me a chance at long‑term healing that staying on the same dose never would.

Reading others’ journeys in Success Stories: How I Got Off Klonopin Safely and From Daily User To Drug Free: A Recovery Timeline showed me it was possible to step away slowly, not by force, but by choice.

I also learned that:

• Detox is not the same as healing. Rapid tapers or cold turkey might remove the drug quickly, but the nervous system often needs months or years to recalibrate, as discussed in Why Detox Is Different From Healing In Benzo Withdrawal.[1][2][4]
• A slow taper could reduce the severity of acute withdrawal and lower the risk of extreme symptoms.[4][6]

Quitting didn’t mean I was “anti‑medication.” It meant I wanted informed consent and a chance to see who I was without chronic sedation.

Practical Tips If You’re Considering Quitting

These are not medical instructions, but reflections on what helped me prepare and cope:

• Talk to a prescriber who understands benzo tapering.

  • Ask about slow reductions, not rapid cuts or cold turkey.
  • Share resources on tolerance withdrawal and GABA receptor downregulation if needed.

• Educate yourself before you start.

  • Learn typical withdrawal timelines and symptoms so you can normalize what you feel.[1][2][4]
  • Read about interdose withdrawal and rebound anxiety so you don’t misinterpret every symptom as “my original anxiety is back.”

• Plan your taper around your life.

  • Avoid starting during major stressors (moves, job changes, surgeries).
  • Consider slightly slower cuts during demanding periods.

• Support your nervous system gently.

  • Prioritize regular, calming routines: sleep hygiene, gentle walks, breathing practices.
  • If you struggle with movement, our guide on exercise intolerance can help you stay active without overwhelming your symptoms.

• Be cautious with supplements and “withdrawal pills.”

  • Many marketed products overpromise and can be overstimulating.
  • Our article Supplements And Withdrawal Pills Do They Work and Why Alcohol Withdrawal Pills Are Not The Same As Benzo Support explain why simple, non‑hyped support is often safer.

• Prepare your social world.

  • Tell one or two trusted people what you’re doing.
  • If socializing feels hard, see Navigating Social Situations While Tapering for scripts and strategies.

• Include your family, if safe.

  • Share Family Perspectives: Supporting A Loved One Through Detox so they understand this is a neurological healing process, not “just stress.”

• Expect waves and windows.

  • Symptoms often come in waves, with better “windows” in between.[2][5]
  • Tracking patterns can reduce fear and help you see progress over months, not days.

• Have a crisis plan.

  • Know when to call your doctor, an emergency line, or seek urgent care (e.g., severe confusion, seizures, suicidal thoughts).[4][7]

FAQ: People Also Ask

How do I know it’s time to quit benzos?

Common signs include needing higher doses for the same effect, feeling unwell between doses, increasing cognitive or emotional blunting, and organizing life around your pills. If staying on them feels scarier than slowly leaving them, it may be time to re‑evaluate.

Is it dangerous to stop benzos suddenly?

Yes. Abrupt discontinuation can trigger severe withdrawal, including seizures and extreme anxiety.[4][7] Medical guidelines generally recommend a gradual taper, especially for long‑term or high‑dose users.

Will my anxiety be worse after I quit?

During withdrawal, anxiety often spikes due to rebound and a destabilized nervous system.[1][4] Over time, many people report more stable, authentic emotions once healing progresses, especially when they add non‑drug coping tools.

How long does benzo withdrawal last?

Early symptoms can start within hours to days, peak in the first 1–4 weeks, and gradually lessen over months.[1][2][4] A minority experience protracted symptoms for longer, but these usually become milder with time.

Conclusion

My decision to quit benzos was not about being brave; it was about being honest. The medication that once felt like a lifeline had slowly become a limiter. Choosing a careful, informed taper was my way of saying: I want my full self back, even if healing takes time.