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get to know D

D E Foster

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summary

For the past dozen years, D E Foster has been an author, podcaster, community organizer, and medical researcher working primarily with indivduals living with chronic anxiety and the complications of anxiety medication (benzodiazepines, Z-drugs). 

 

This all started when D was prescribed clonazepam (Klonopin) in 2002, which he took without warning for 12 years. His withdrawal experience was extreme, and it became the foundation for his 2018 book, Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. The following year he launched the Benzo Free Podcast which established itself as a cornerstone of the psychiatric medication support community for over six years. He later added the Uneven Podcast which expanded his focus to include general life skills and anxiety management.  

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As co-founder and co-chair of the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group, D was involved in a series of projects supporting the benzo community ranging from developing and presenting CME training for medical professionals to development lead for the Recovering from Benzodiazepines for Peer Support Training Course.

 

D is also a member of multiple research teams where he co-authored several peer-reviewed studies including the 2023 paper that identified Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND). Later that year, D was invited to be a panelist with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) for the development of their Joint Clinical Practice Guidelines on Benzodiazepine Tapering, which was published in March 2025.

 

In October 2024, D founded the community organization, Uneven Life, which provided direct group support and coaching services to those struggling with BIND. Then in 2026, he launched the podcast, A Calm Voice, which focuses on the joys, sorrows, and complexities of being human in the technological age. 


D has been benzo-free since 2014, but he still deals with the lingering effects of BIND to this day. He now lives in northern Colorado with his wife, Shana, and dog, Murphy. 

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
D E Foster is NOT a medical nor mental health professional of any kind.
The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only, and should never be considered medical advice.

D encourages you to seek care directly from a licensed physician and/or certified therapist as needed for your situation. 

organizations

  • A Calm Voice, Founder 
    (July 2026 - Present)
    "aCalmVoice.com" is the support website for "A Calm Voice" podcast, a casual conversation about the human experience. This podcast provides a friendly conversation about mental health, modern society, relationships, finding meaning, and so much more. In addition to providing access to the podcast, this site also houses the entire 450 post library of anxiety, benzodiazepine, and BIND support information from the former support site, Uneven Life. 
     

  • BZD Research Team, Medical Researcher / Co-Author
    (March 2019 - Present)
    The BZD Research Team focused on the harms caused by the long-term prescribed use of benzodiazepines, and comprised of distinguished experts from Vanderbilt University, the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, and the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group. 
     

  • Uneven Life, Founder 
    (August 2018 - June 2026)
    Uneven Life has been a vibrant online platform for over eight years, supporting individuals who struggle with chronic anxiety and benzodiazepine dependence, withdrawal, and BIND. Initially launched as Benzo Free in 2018, the organization changed its name to Easing Anxiety in 2020, and finally Uneven Life in 2024. Each year the site grew to eventually become one of the most respected resources in the benzo community providing an active online support community, one-on-one coaching, two podcasts, videos, research, and much more.  
     

  • American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Panelist / Development
    (January 2023 - March 2025)
    For two years, I was a member of the Lived Experience Panel who were key contributors to the development of the American Society of Addiction Medicine's "Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering." As a panel member, I provided resources, guidance, and patient perspectives while participating in discussions and reviewing and editing drafts for the landmark 2025 publication.
     

  • The Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG), Co-Founder & Co-Chair
    (April 2021 - March 2024)
    I spearheaded a grassroots movement of benzodiazepine-affected individuals focused on raising awareness and providing support. This lead to the formation of the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG) under the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. As co-chair from 2021 to 2024, we drove initiatives to address long-term benzodiazepine use and physical dependence through community outreach, legislative advocacy, and research. A key achievement in the early months of BAWG was providing testimony for Colorado House Bill 1276, the first U.S. legislation providing significant protections against benzodiazepine overprescribing. Other accomplishments include developing prescribing, deprescribing, and peer support documentation, delivering CME trainings, and creating the nation’s first national peer support training program for benzodiazepines.
     

  • Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, Medical Researcher / Co-Author 
    (November 2021 - February 2024)
    The team from the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland (RCSI) was a multidisciplinary task force focused on addressing long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) use. It comprised of experts from the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, and the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group. 

publications

BOOK

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  • Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal
    AUTHOR  (Published August 20, 2018)
    Benzo Free is the result of four years of research on over a thousand scientific studies, books, and articles. It is an honest and objective look at the world of anti-anxiety medication combined with the real story of withdrawal told by someone who experienced it first-hand.

     

​CLINICAL GUIDELINES

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​PRESCRIBER / PATIENT DOCUMENTATION

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research

podcasts (hosting)

  • A Calm Voice, Producer / Host
    (October 2026 - Present)
    In "A Calm Voice," we slow down and explore the joyful observations, the painful realizations, and the overall absurdity of being human. A departure from previous podcasts that focused solely on anxiety and anxiety medication withdrawal, this new podcast is aimed at anyone who seeks a friendly conversation about the human experience.
     

  • The Uneven Podcast, Producer / Host
    (March 2024 - October 2025)   82 Episodes
    The Uneven Podcast crafted an intimate platform that delves into our personal struggles with life, anxiety, and even the complexities of psychiatric medication and withdrawal. Utilizing his seasoned podcasting skills, D produced engaging episodes that weave intimate narratives, insightful discussions, and relatable perspectives. 
     

  • The Benzo Free Podcast, Producer / Host 
    (February 2019 - October 2025)   146 Episodes
    Since its launch in February 2019, The Benzo Free Podcast created a vital resource for the benzo community, offering information, support, and a personal connection to thousands navigating benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal (BIND). 

presentations / training

  • Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG)

    • ​Recovering from Benzodiazepines for Peer Support (Training Course)
      PROJECT LEAD / PILOT INSTRUCTOR   (Pilot Class: December 5, 2022)
      This 12-hour training course was designed to educate peers, counselors, caregivers and providers on specialized information regarding benzodiazepine use, its associated complications such as withdrawal and benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) (protracted withdrawal), and how to support the individual as they taper, heal, and find wellness.

    • The Effects of Benzodiazepines on the Nervous System & Body (Video)
      CONTRIBUTOR / NARRATOR   (December 5, 2022)
      In a very simplified way, this video explains how benzodiazepines affect the nervous system and body. It was created by the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG) at the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse as part of the Recovering from Benzodiazepines Peer Support Training Course. 
       

  • Rx and Illicit Drug Summit

    • ​Benzodiazepine Safety: A Patient-Centered Approach
      FACULTY   (April 10-13, 2023 / Atlanta, GA)
      Invited to present at the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Atlanta, Georgia along side my colleagues Alexis Ritvo, MD and Christy Huff, MD.  The presentation included information on benzodiazepine prescribing, deprescribing, the patient experience, and BIND (benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction).
       

  • Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention

  • University of Colorado, Denver (Addiction Counseling Masters Program)

    • ​Benzodiazepines: Research, Reality, and Recovery, PRESENTER   (November 18, 2024)
       

  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Education (CDPHE)

    • ​Benzo Wise Colorado (BWC) Presentation, CO-PRESENTER   (December 12, 2019)
       

  • Benzo Warrior Community

legislation

  • Colorado General Assembly

    • ​Colorado House Bill 21-1276: Prevention of Substance Use Disorders
      DEVELOPMENT / WITNESS TESTIMONY   (Signed: June 28, 2021)
      HB 21-1276 in Colorado, known as the "Prevention of Opioid Use Disorders" bill, includes provisions regarding benzodiazepine prescribing which incorporates Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) provisions. The bill also limits the supply of benzodiazepines prescribable to patients who haven't had a prescription in the past year, except for specific conditions.
       

  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts

media appearances / contributions

my background story

This is the long version, for those who have nothing better to do. 🙂

 

As I said in the intro, my name is “D E Foster,” but everyone just calls me “D.” It’s a nickname my nephews gave me when they were young and I guess it stuck. Does “D” stand for anything? Sure, but when I published my book I decided to go with the initials only. Now, I answer more quickly to “D” than to my given name. So, I guess I’ll stick with it.​​

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Who was I before all this? Well, thanks for asking. I’ve always been a bit nomadic career-wise, quite common with ADHD, and I guess that hasn’t changed. I spent about 30 years working in two primary arenas. The first is database programming, including full-time and contract positions at Microsoft, Sprint, US West, Vail Resorts, and others. The second is as a contract screenwriter, screenwriting teacher, and film festival organizer. I taught screenwriting at the University of Colorado, Denver, the Colorado Film School, and a variety of conferences and festivals on the film circuit. I was also on the Advisory Board for The Vail Film Festival for 10 years when I headed up their educational programming.

 

In 2013, my life completely changed. I discovered I was dependent on the anti-anxiety drug clonazepam (Klonopin) and read some of the horror stories of what withdrawal might entail. It wasn’t a pretty picture. I had taken the medication as prescribed by my physician for 12 years without any warning of risks. And now, my new doctor told me I needed to withdraw. So I did.

 

Unfortunately, it was the hardest and most challenging experience of my life, one I am still dealing with today. I experienced an odyssey of debilitating withdrawal complications including extreme anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, akathisia, paresthesia, benzo belly, severe aches and pains, tremors, tinnitus, insomnia, and many others. I also have moderate to severe ADHD, long COVID, and I was floxed (fluroquinolone toxicity) during my 18-month benzo taper which all carry neurological complications of their own. It's been a mess.

 

I tapered off of clonazepam over an 18 month period and was finally benzo-free on August 20th, 2014. I still have protracted symptoms, am unable to work in my previous profession, and struggle with my recovery at times — but, thanks to the Ashton Manual and my incredible family, I'm healing. The good news is that I am better than I was during the early phase of withdrawal and I am optimistic about my future even though I still have periodic setbacks. 

 

For the first four years of withdrawal, I had a lot of questions. Questions that needed answers. So, I spent most of my time researching. I read everything I could find about benzodiazepines, withdrawal, anxiety, psychology, physiology, philosophy, spirituality, happiness, life, love, relationships, you name it. Eventually, I had read and catalogued over one thousand articles, books, and videos on these subjects. I was suffering through extended withdrawal symptoms (BIND), lost my job, and I had all this research. Now what?​

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Well, I wrote a book. Big surprise, right? But it was a book I had to write. I had all this research and I truly needed for this horrible experience to mean something. Something good had to come out of all of this.

 

The book was published in August 2018 and is titled: “Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal.” I followed that up with a website to promote the book titled… you guessed it, Benzo Free.

In early 2019, in an effort to help promote my book, I decided to try my hand at podcasting. I had some recording experience and still owned some audio equipment from my days as a drummer. So, on February 20, I released the first five episodes of “The Benzo Free Podcast,” and it became a success. More importantly, though, I really enjoyed it. Especially the opportunity to correspond with individuals from all corners of the globe. I can honestly say that the comments and emails I received from the podcast got me through my darkest days.

Still restless, I launched our new website (Easing Anxiety) in 2020 which expanded our scope to include general anxiety issues in addition to benzo-specific content. Easing Anxiety became the new home of the Benzo Free Podcast and hosted a collection of articles, videos, stories, and other content geared towards those dealing with anxiety and the complications of anxiety medication.

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Benzo withdrawal can be a daunting, even harrowing process for some — and I was no exception. Writing the book, hosting the podcast, and launching Easing Anxiety were a few of my saving graces. They kept me busy and got me through. I am incredibly blessed to have an amazingly supportive wife and family and I realize that despite what I went through — I was one of the lucky ones.

 

In addition to Easing Anxiety and the podcast, I am active as an advocate for those who struggle with the complications of long-term benzodiazepine use.

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I was co-chair (2021-2024) and one of the co-founders of the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG) at the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, which is part of the University of Colorado's Anschutz Medical Center. This was an amazing organization with excellent backing and support, and key involvement from national benzo community organizations.

Our projects have included published documentation on prescribing, deprescribing, and peer support, CME training sessions and videos, and the first benzodiazepine-specific certified peer specialist training program in the country, among others. We made great strides and I am very proud to be a part of its legacy.

 

In 2019, I joined the BZD Research Team, which was my first foray into the world of medical research. My collages were distinguished experts from Vanderbilt University, the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, and a couple of benzodiazepine non-profit organizations. This team focused on the data collected by the Benzodiazepine Survey of 2018-2019. We published our first research paper in 2022, and the other two in 2023. The third paper officially introduced the term benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) which defines the protracted state of neuroadaptation and/or neurotoxicity created by chronic exposure to benzodiazepines.

 

I've also been privileged to be a part of other research teams including the "Safeguarding BZRAs" team from the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, the "Benzodiazepine Tapering Research Pilot Program" through Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and most recently as a member of the "Lived-Experience Panel" with the American Society of Addition Medicine (ASAM) which published The Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering on March 3, 2025.

 

As a former college instructor, I truly enjoy the training and speaking opportunities that have come my way. I have presented continuing medical education (CME) seminars on a variety of benzodiazepine related topics and was invited to present as a faculty member at the 2023 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Atlanta. I've also been a guest on several podcasts and support sites and was project lead and co-instructed the pilot for the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group's Recovering from Benzodiazepine Use for Peer Support training course launching in 2023.

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One of the hardest chapters of my life began in late 2019, when I got sick. This was the first of at least five bouts with COVID, and eventually, long COVID. One of the key effects of long COVID is neurological, and for someone whose nervous system is already diminished by benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, it doesn't go well. This started a series of setbacks in my healing process from BIND, which lead to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), significant nerve pain, and increased akathisia and insomnia, among others. 

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Also at this time, I started caring for my ailing parents. Over a period of two years, I drove 25 round trips from Denver to Kansas City to manage their care. The stress was extreme, complicated by COVID, and it lead to a period of significant loss and grief. Over a period three years, I lost eight close family members and friends including my mother and father, my dog, two cousins to COVID, a good friend to cancer, and my dear friend and colleague Dr. Christy Huff to suicide. A couple of years later, I lost another friend to benzo-related suicide, a trend I'm afraid that was not limited to them. 

In 2024, I launched a brand new online community called Uneven Life. It was a peer-led support community focused on helping individuals who struggle with anxiety and the complications of anxiety medication (benzodiazepines, Z-drugs). We provided live daily group support sessions and one-on-one coaching in addition to a robust social media network. I am truly humbled by the leaders who joined our team, and beyond amazed at the community members who continually helped each other even in their darkest days.

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In June of 2026, I closed down the Uneven Life community due to my declining health among other complications, and facilitated the relocation of our member base to a separate private group managed by a former colleague. One of the most pernicious elements of BIND, is its adverse reaction to work and stress. Like so many other leaders in the benzo support community, I pushed myself too hard for too long. The memories of friends I lost to this illness plagued me, and I decided enough was enough. It was time for me to slow down and practice some self-care for once.

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My days are slower now, but not without purpose. I allowed myself one indulgence during this recovery period. One project so that I still have meaning and that my ADHD brain has something positive to cling to.  No community, no coaching, no organization building, just a simple podcast. In Fall 2026, I will launch a brand new podcast, "A Calm Voice." It's a podcast about our inherent humanity. The good, the bad, and the places we find meaning and joy. 

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The rest of the time, I am taking it easy with my wife, Shana, and our dog, Murphy. We live in northern Colorado and enjoy the outdoors, walks, travel, books, movies, spending time with friends and family, and all that normal stuff other people do. 

 

Well, you made it through. Wow. Thanks for listening.

 

Best,
D 🙂

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