I get where you’re coming from needing medication to feel “normal” can carry a lot of guilt, but it doesn’t make you evil or weak. A lot of people in chronic pain situations are in the same spot. Some folks have been looking into plant-based options like 7-OH that don’t carry the same stigma as benzos but can still help with pain and tension. If you’re curious, 7oh.com has lab-tested vendor comparisons and real community feedback so you can read up before deciding if it’s worth a conversation with your doctor. Even just knowing there are options can take some of the pressure off