No such thing as duct tape fix for benzo abuse

[Caróg liath]

Again, clonazepam has a short half-life and 18 years is a long time; the withdrawals after such a long period of use would be very challenging.  I don't judge that, I am merely stating my experience in having an APRN and treating those with mental disorders, anxiety, and the like which can be brought on by many primary causes and easily misdiagnosed

Just wanted to clarify . . . Clonazepam has a long half-life of 30-40 hours.

Not sure where the 30-40 hour half life stats were obtained.  The half-life of clonazepam (18-50 hours)

Clonazepam's half-life is 18 to 50 hours and with prolonged use, your blood level increases daily; that may be where the 30-40 half life was obtained.  It would be considered initially a short half life and with prolonged use, a long half life, but there are severe draw backs to this benzo in particular.

The amount remaining is equal to the initial amount time 0.5 to the exponent of (the time you're interested in like 24 hours divided by the half-life)

Amount in your system after 24 hrs for a half life of 24 hours if you add 1 milligram each day goes like this:

Day 1   1.000
Day 2   1.500
Day 3   1.750
Day 4   1.875
Day 5   1.938
Day 6   1.969
Day 7   1.984
Day 8   1.992
Day 9   1.996
Day 10  1.998

Crude math on Clonazepam specifically calculated that the steady-state dose after a month of use is 3.8x the daily dose. Meaning that if you take 1mg of klonopin a day you end up with an average dose of 3.8mg in your body, and if you take 2mg/day  you end up with 7.7mg in your system.

That written, benzos do serve a very necessary purpose for some people.  I don't judge.  I am NOT speaking of recreational use in any way shape or form.

Chemistry and elimination of this class of drugs is widely misunderstood (that is not a remark on anyone here, just a fact).

I do not consider that this benzo is a long half life drug unless taken for extended periods. 

As illustrated, it builds in the system to the point where once you've become dependent on this class of drugs, your brain chemistry is changed, and even after prolonged abstinence you will not respond to them in the same way that you would have if you hadn't been dependent.

For example, someone who has never been dependent to a benzodiazepine can most likely take 1mg of Xanax once a week for an extended period without any consequences. Someone who has previously been dependent on Xanax or any other class of benzodiazepine is asking for trouble with this.

I won't bemoan this subject any longer.

I do not wish to appear contrary but have studied molecular biology and found this subject most interesting; in particular the  lesser know facts that the medical world does not want the average person to be aware of.

Good health and best wishes to all.  CL