I am a Engineering student with an anxiety disorder who uses benzos daily. Given my situation currently withdrawing from my Klonopin is not a viable option for me since most medical literature states (and from my experience) that the withdrawal symptoms can be felt for 6 months or more. (i have tried quiting and just ended up being a setback due to the nature of the intensity of my major and the intensity of the withdrawal)
I have read about benzos causing memory problems, destroying sleep architecture the longer you use them, making anxiety worse in the long run and many other negative side effects. Which is why I have tried to quit.
What are your thoughts on the detrimental cognitive side effects of benzodiazepines? Are they real at the doses of 0.5mg-1mg of Klonopin which i have been taking daily during the semester with usually a 2 month break during vacations.
Will they become worse if I develop tolerance and I start using higher doses. Will the cognitive detrimental side effects become more noticeable the longer i use them as well? I will probably need 1 or 2 years of more benzo usage before I can complete my major.
If benzo usage is a concern,
how do I stop this cognitive decline that will supposedly happen if I continue taking benzos. Does anyone suggest any nootropics, supplements or any other suggestions best suited to avoid the cognitive decline related to benzos?