Joey Diaz on Quitting Xanax | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Joey Diaz recounts his Xanax dependency, withdrawal, and childhood use of pacifiers as a coping mechanism.

Key Insights

• 😣 Xanax dependency can escalate quickly, necessitating a carefully managed withdrawal process to prevent severe side effects.
• 🔬 Childhood coping mechanisms can influence adult behaviors, highlighting the impact of early experiences on coping strategies.
• 🍉 In times of stress, individuals may turn to substances like Xanax as a quick fix, unaware of the long-term repercussions.
• 🥺 Mental health challenges, such as anxiety and panic attacks, can lead to substance dependency as a form of self-medication.
• 😪 Establishing healthy sleep patterns and utilizing tools like wearable devices can aid in monitoring and improving sleep quality.
• 😷 External interventions, like medical professionals detecting withdrawal symptoms, can be crucial in addressing substance abuse issues.
• 💱 Joey Diaz's journey highlights the complexities of addiction, withdrawal, and recovery, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and implementing gradual changes.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did Joey Diaz's Xanax dependency start?

Joey Diaz began taking Xanax for anxiety during the pandemic, accumulating a vast stash that eventually led to addiction.

Q: What prompted Joey Diaz to confront his Xanax addiction?

A harrowing incident of heart palpitations and a medical professional's intervention made Joey realize the detrimental effects of Xanax on his health.

Q: How did Joey Diaz's childhood habits inform his coping mechanisms as an adult?

Diaz's childhood habit of seeking comfort in pacifiers and throwing records out of anxiety mirrors his reliance on Xanax in adulthood to soothe his anxieties.

Q: What strategies did Joey Diaz employ to taper off Xanax?

Diaz underwent a six-month process to gradually reduce his Xanax intake, realizing the dangers of abrupt withdrawal and the importance of a structured tapering plan.

Summary

In this video, Joey Diaz opens up about his experiences with Xanax and how it affected his life. He talks about his struggles with anxiety, his dependence on Xanax, and the physical and emotional toll it took on him. He also reflects on his childhood experiences and how they may have contributed to his need for something to "smooth out the humps and bumps" of life.

Questions & Answers

Q: When did Joey start taking Xanax?

Joey began taking Xanax in 2012 when he got it prescribed after a situation at The Comedy Store.

Q: How did Joey's anxiety affect his ability to perform on stage?

Joey recalls a time when he had a severe anxiety attack before going on stage at The Comedy Store. He couldn't breathe and felt like he was going to have a heart attack. Despite his fears, he managed to go on stage and perform, but he believes he was on "automatic pilot" due to the anxiety and Xanax.

Q: What was Joey's experience with Xanax like?

Joey started using Xanax to alleviate his anxiety attacks. He would take it regularly, sometimes even before leaving the house. The Xanax would calm him down and help with his anxiety, but he eventually developed a tolerance and had to take larger doses to achieve the same effect.

Q: How did Joey's tolerance to Xanax affect his health?

Joey's tolerance to Xanax led him to take higher doses, sometimes consuming eight to ten pills a day. This high dosage eventually took a toll on his health and resulted in a mild heart attack. He didn't realize he was experiencing withdrawal symptoms until a doctor pointed it out to him.

Q: How did Joey manage to get off Xanax?

Joey had to slowly wean himself off Xanax by gradually reducing his dosage. This process took about six months and required a lot of determination and self-reflection. He likened it to his childhood habit of hiding pacifiers and throwing records when he felt anxious.

Q: What impact did getting off Xanax have on Joey's life?

Quitting Xanax has had a positive impact on Joey's overall well-being. He has focused on improving his sleep and has been taking naps on occasion. He also uses a WHOOP watch to monitor his sleep patterns and ensure he gets enough rest. Joey no longer relies on Xanax to calm his anxiety.

Q: Did Joey experience any setbacks during his recovery from Xanax?

Joey occasionally has setbacks in his sleep routine or experiences moments of anxiety. However, he has developed strategies to cope with these setbacks, such as smoking pot, reading, or doing other calming activities to help him relax and fall asleep.

Q: What other methods did Joey try to improve his recovery?

Apart from weaning off Xanax and focusing on sleep, Joey has also made changes to his exercise routine. He wears a WHOOP watch to track his calories and recovery and ensures he doesn't push himself too hard physically, as it can affect his sleep and overall well-being.

Q: Did Joey have high tolerance levels since childhood?

Joey recalls having a high tolerance to certain substances since childhood. He shares an anecdote about needing multiple penicillin shots as a child because a single shot never seemed to be enough. He also mentions having a high tolerance for alcohol and being able to drink large quantities without feeling intoxicated.

Q: How did Joey's childhood experiences contribute to his need for something to "smooth out the humps and bumps"?

Joey reflects on his childhood habit of sucking on a pacifier as a way to calm himself down. He also used to throw records at other kids as a form of release. These experiences show that he has always sought something to help him cope with anxiety and difficult emotions.

Takeaways

Joey Diaz opens up about his struggles with Xanax and anxiety in this video. His story highlights the dangers of dependence on medication and the importance of addressing and managing anxiety in healthier ways. Joey's journey to recovery emphasizes the need for self-reflection and self-care, as well as the necessity of seeking professional help when dealing with addiction or mental health issues.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Joey Diaz reflects on his dependency on Xanax during the pandemic, revealing how he had amassed a stockpile of the drug over the years.

• He narrates a panic attack at a comedy event due to anxiety, leading to his Xanax use and subsequent addiction.

• Diaz discusses the dangers of Xanax withdrawal, his struggles to taper off the drug, and his childhood coping methods.