	AllExperts > Addiction to Drugs
	Search

About Jacqui
Expertise
I am committed to Harm reduction (is it a dirty word in America??), a philosophy which acknowledges that people are going to continue to use drugs despite all of the effort put into stopping it (case in point - US government drug war ... trillions of dollars, people still using ... hello??) Anyway, I advocate to support people who use drugs by reducing the harms associated with their use through needle and syringe programs, advocating for drug law reform (alcohol legal, marijuana not ... go figure?). I currently manage a service that provides primary health care, health education and needle and syringe program to people who inject. I have also worked as an "on the ground" worker for many years and am currently studying a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Happy to answer questions about blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C, questions about dependency on opiates and other substances. Questions about treatment (particulary methadone and buprenorphine). Questions about harm reduction and why we bother with it. I can try to answer questions about drug tests. As an alternative to my fellow experts, I won't be judging anyone. If anyone has taken a sip of a coffee, or drunk a beer, then ... well we are all drug users, and I don't think we are going to see an end to it! Deal with the real, I say.

Experience
Manage a primary health service for people who inject drugs, and have worked at that centre for 7 years

Organizations
Registered as a provisional psychologist with the Victorian Psychologists registration board (this is for psychologists working under supervision or currently studying a masters). Much of my experience is related to my work rather than to my studies

Publications
conference proceedings - IHRC 2004 & 2005, NSP Conference 2005, Stigma-Pleasure-Practice conference 2006

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, currently studying a masters of clinical psychology, completed one half of a graduate certificate in Addiction studies (transferred to psychology as it had better career prospects) - lots and lots of short training courses.

Awards and Honors
Presented at international conferences (Harm Reduction Conference in Thailand and Melbourne)

You are here: Experts > Teens > Health for Teens > Addiction to Drugs > reduce ativan?

Addiction to Drugs - reduce ativan?

Expert: Jacqui - 11/2/2009

Question
Hi, I hope this is an appropriate question for you. I have been taking ativan for quite a few months now. I take 1mg in am, 1mg in afternoon, and 2mg before bed. I have a bad cold and the doctor just gave me tussionex Pennkinetic which is 5mg hydrocodone and an antihistimine in a 12 hour time release. I am very concerned about this since that seems like a lot of CNS depressants. The Ativan makes me a little tired but does not knock me out, maybe the 2mg at night does. Can I cut back the Ativan at night to 1mg until I finish the cough medicine? I realize you cannot just stop Ativan. Or am I being a nervous nelly? I do hope this is an appropriate question for you, I have asked you things before and you never judge...just like you say! thanks! :-)

Answer
Hi Dianna,

I don't think you are being a nervous nelly as these are pretty heavy medications. I am assuming there are other issues than a cold, as a doctor prescribing hydrocodone for a bad cold is being a little over the top ... but then there could be other issues.

Anyway, probably the best thing to do at this stage is speak to your doctor because he wrote the original script. I am not medically training, so can't give medical advice. I have made suggestions about withdrawal regimes before for people who didn't have access to a GP, which isn't ideal. But, if you are really loathe to speak to your GP, then you could consider reducing a small amount of ativan for a short period. Benzo reduction is usually done in small increments, such as 1/2 a tab a day, so you might want to try that (i.e.: reduce your ativan to 1.5 at night). I assume that your doc knows you are on the ativan, so he must not be too worried about the drug interactions, but it is good you are considering this. This is especially important if you have a few drinks as well. You could give half a tab a try, and if that all goes without a hitch, then try taking one at night. But you need to be careful and seek medical attention if there are any problems.

As I said initially, it is ideal that you speak to your doc. I think it is great that you are looking after yourself like this and being careful about what you take!

I hope all goes well and good to hear from you again!

Take care and stay safe,

Jacqui

Add to this Answer Ask a Question