The only medically researched method of tapering off benzodiazepines was done by Dr. Heather Ashton. Her work in the field of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome resulted in what we've come to know as the Ashton Manual.
Dr. Ashton recommends changing faster-acting benzos for an equivalent dose of Valium and using the Valium to get a to get a smoother, more controlled taper. This is all explained in her manual.
In the last few years we've had a number of people use a method called "Water Titration" to get off their benzo. It was developed by a list member who learned the method from a former list member. Many who were unable to get their doctors to prescribe Valium or simply didn't want to do the Ashton crossover have used the water titration to get off the faster-acting benzos such as Ativan or Klonopin.
We also have a version called "Lee's Simple Water Titration." This is not true titrating but is a very simple version of just using water to dilute the drug so smaller cuts can be made. Some think it is best to use this version with Valium but Lee herself used it with Ativan.
I've always had concerns about those forced to taper Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin, etc. using dry methods since you are tapering benzos, which are 10-20 times more potent than Valium and making cuts that are still quite large in comparison.
But where there is a will, there is a way, and many people have tapered these benzos and gone on to get well.
All in all, this group has come a long way since 1999. We've gotten the Ashton Manual and we've developed a water titration method for those who would like to do that. Some people have used compounding pharmacies to get the smaller doses they needed.
So the biggest question is which method is right for you? Well, of course, that depends. Can you get your doctor to prescribe Valium? Do you want to taper Valium? Would you rather try just cutting your pills in tiny pieces and making cuts and see how it goes? Would you like to try water titration? Do you just want to dilute your pill in water, take out a dropper full and taper that way?
See, no one needs to tell you that your way is wrong or that if you don't do it this way or that way, you will be sorry. If the way you choose to get off these drugs is working for you, that is what counts. If you are having a hellacious time and want to think about something else, we're here to help you all we can.
There are as many ways to do this, as there are people. And there are many factors in deciding how to do YOUR taper. There is no one-way and there is absolutely no specific way that can guarantee a symptom-free w/d.
We do have some people who are having little or no symptoms using the water titration method; so needless to say, we're encouraging people to think about this method if they are having problems tapering their benzo. I don't know if we'll see a study done on this method because hardly anyone cares about people addicted to benzos. Most doctors and "experts" are running around saying, "Withdrawal symptoms? Never heard of anything past 6-7 days."
So we'll have to get some empirical evidence and that'll be done by people just trying it and seeing how they do.
So feel free to research all the files and the information on http://www.benzo.org.uk. Once you do that, let us know if we can help you in any way as we are always here to support you in your taper. The information is here and we are all surely blessed that we aren't going through this all alone and with no information like many were when this group first started.