First; if you want to prevent dependence and increased tolerance, the only good thing to do is to not take them. I'm sorry, its a stupid answer, but its true.

Second about the risk reduce. First of all you should really make sure you drink enough water when you take them. One of the risks is dehydration and this is easily preventable by drinking. You should also eat a lot of fruits and veggies because of the potassium deficient you might get from diarrhea. This messes up your heart so you really don't want that. Good sources are banana's, oranges, spinach, sweet potato and nearly every fruit/veg.

 

Thank you for your help

I wish I could just 'not'. However, I can't- and as I have already inflicted major damage to almost every part of my body, I'd rather focus on safely managing my disordered behaviours.

 

I'd try reducing every few days, couple at a time. Well that'd be my plan when common sense kicks in and I finally decide to stop.

 

Ok, some tips for reducing lax usage:

-Set a weekly limit (kind of like a calorie limit) for how many times you are willing to use them. Don't go above this number. Start highish, and then gradually reduce. If you start using more than you want, you can still increase a little and gradually work your way down.

-Replace artificial laxatives with natural laxatives. This can be coffee, enzymes (you can buy at the store) or teas.

-When you do eat, eat foods extremely high in fiber so that you are having semi-regular bowel movements, and drink lots of water. Being regular reduces bloating, which will reduce the urge to use artificial means.

-Replace the urge to cleanse yourself with laxatives with other things, like exercise, or even taking a shower. Something calming, that reduces swelling. Massage is great for this too.

-Don't feel discouraged when you do use laxatives, just keep trying and making adjustments that work best for your body. Because you are restricting, there may be times when you actually need to use laxatives to medicinally treat constipation.

 

How often are you taking them? Every day? I'm going through a similar thing right now but I've gotten over it before. I typically don't allow myself to take lax more frequently than every four days but lately I've been taking them every two or three days instead. I did this last year at this same time as well. I think it has something to do with built up guilt from the holidays.

 

You could go cold turkey on them... Or you could try a salt-water cleanse.... You'll totally clean your insides and then maybe do one once a week.

 

Try eating prunes and even better dates work like magic!!!!!!!