Able to work or not?

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I can’t work now due to the brain fog and fatigue. Just looking at a computer screen scrambles my brain like eggs and give my such bad neck pain. But as I taper lower I’m hoping to start doing instacart or doordash.

I worked through mine. I don't know how honestly. To work through it or not is a highly individual matter I believe. It's next to impossible I think for most people. It was for me. It made me stronger though. If I could do it over again I might choose to stay home or do an outpatient detox program. Idk. It's such a crazy difficult, insane experience and we have to do the best we can to survive at the end of the day. Do what works for YOU. 🩵💚💙

I stayed in grad school (virtual for awhile due to Covid), worked virtually as a researcher, and later had two in-person internships. It was hard as hell but somehow I managed…not sure I could have if stuff hadn’t been virtual through the acute and early PAWS.

Anyway, apparently it can be done but may require some strategizing and communication.

I have been able to work. Sometimes being home and bored is worse than working. Everyone is different so if you cant then dont. Getting off this crap is most important.

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Good luck!

Volunteer work really helped me. It got me out of the house, I could work at my own pace with no pressure, have a chat with the other volunteers, and thus take my mind off the withdrawal.

I stopped going to university and working and I kinda regret it now. Maybe I wouldn’t have slided into depression if I kept doing stuff.

But on the other side… Exams and hard days at work were my main triggers why I was relapsing again and again so… Nah I guess I’d rather work my way through depression and have all the time I need to fully process life and understand my mind and figure all those healing things out.

I went off work for 2 months. Last month of my taper and the first month after last dose. I felt like I had no choice at the time because I was a mess. I was seriously considering quitting my job, I really couldn't see myself returning. But I went back and it was the best decision I made. Even though it was hard, it was a distraction and I honestly believe it helped me recover. I was a whole lot worse when I was sat at home doing nothing. I would have seriously regretted quitting my job. Benzos will trick you into believing the suffering will last forever and you won't be able to work. This is a lie. Don't listen to it.

I am 6 weeks off and did work. I called in sick a few days the week before this week because the negative thoughts and anxiety were heavy. I do social work, but with benzo social anxiety and trying to mask that, is hell. Sometimes everything is a blur. But I told my manager what was going on and she wants to help me to slow down and take things as they are. It gave me a big feeling of relieve. I don't have to act like everything is fine :) because a lot of times I'm totally not fine and it feels like I had a long busy workday before I even arrive at work. My colleagues can help me now:)

I work but it’s a mindless work from home position - it’s a typing job. A lot of days I can’t put in 8 hours. Luckily my employer has been really cool and let me use a lot of PTO and offered short term disability if needed.

Iv been working most of the time. Working now seven months out

I worked but it was in a teaching job where I could only do the bare minimum and very much hurt my reputation. I recommend either doing something that’s not outward-facing or recovering alone if you’re financially able to do it. May be worth trying to take disability as well.

Make sure that if you work you explain what you’re going through beforehand so you don’t freak your colleagues out too much. And be wary of people who will take advantage of your condition to hurt your rep. Good luck.

When tapering off of anything, the last 20% you mention will be significantly more difficult than any prior reductions. Is cutting down by one cigarette a day harder than cutting down by ten cigarettes a day? It is when it’s going from 1 to 0 compared to going from 40 cigarettes a day to 30. As a general rule, you may need to adjust your taper to go slower and have smaller reductions the closer you get to the end. That said, if dragging it out feels worse or there are circumstances where you don’t have unlimited time, I get that too. If quantity is an issue or doses can’t get smaller, extending time between doses is another means of tapering. In my opinion, frequency of dosing is the most overlooked variable in degree of dependency.

As far as work, if you are able to, it will help the time go faster and keep you distracted. But if you’re a hot mess, best to focus your resources on your health. No shame in that. My advice is DO work if you can, but DO NOT force it if in reality you can’t.

I'm not working and haven't been able to for a few years now.

I have applied for a job been too nervous to attend a previous interview. I need to have a reason to get out of bed. The gym isn't enough. I don't know if I'll get the job or even be able to do it but I'll try because cabin fever is making me worse. I've been bed bound for months and only been able to venture further than the gym with the help of a benzo.

Yep, worked starting at the 3rd month, been a hellish experience as it's a physical job but you get a lot of alone time, so the physical aspect spikes my cortisol like every day and I'm considering leaving before the heat gets up.