benzo free podcast

Listen in as our host D shares his experiences with a recent sleepless night.

What’s new at EA and the benzo community? Join D for an off-script conversation this lazy Sunday morning.

Personality changes. Loss of ability. Loss of confidence. Loss of self. These are common in benzo withdrawal and BIND, and yet we rarely talk about them. What does this look like? What are its causes? And most of all, what can we do about it? In today’s episode, we explore the loss of self during benzo withdrawal. We also respond to a question on tinnitus, share a comment on the benefits of nature, and hear a benzo story from New Zealand. Video ID: BFP122 Listen on YouTube...

What happens when you need surgery during protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal (BIND)? How do you manage the anxiety? Do you take meds? Benzos? Opioids? How do you handle recovery? Join D on his personal 14-day journey. In part 2 of this 2-part series, the surgery is completed and D reviews his decision to be given a benzodiazepine for sedation. He monitors its effect on his symptoms, discusses his recovery and use of pain meds, and explores his improved outlook on life afte

What happens when you need surgery during protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal (BIND)? How do you manage the anxiety? Do you take meds? Benzos? Opioids? How do you handle recovery? Join D on his personal 14-day journey. In part 1 of this 2-part series, D discusses his anxiety, insomnia, and other complications leading up to the surgery. He also shares his fear of cancellation, his struggles to find courage, and his reliance on traditional coping skills like distraction, visu

Have you ever been afraid to turn on the news? To check your social media feed? To visit your favorite discussion group? Have you ever been so afraid of your own emotions and reactions that you isolate completely? Well, so has D. In today’s episode, D tries something different…again. He hits the record button with absolutely no idea what he is going to talk about. No script. No topic. No agenda. What evolved is an open and honest discussion about struggle and success, media a

Two benzo survivors. Two caregivers. Pizza. Cookies. And a covered porch in a rainstorm. What else could you want? Join us for this very special and revealing conversation about living with benzos from two couples who know it intimately. In today’s episode, we share our second benzo chat recorded on our recent road trip. On June 5th of this year, Shana and I joined Steve and Heather on a porch at their home in the great state of Iowa. The evening was delightful. We talked ab

CONGRATULATIONS! We made it! Episode 100! Thank you all for getting us here. Pour the champagne (non-alcoholic of course), gather around, reminisce a bit, and let’s celebrate. And how do we do that? Well, with stories of success, of course. In today’s episode, we share several positive stories from individuals who have struggled with BIND (benzo withdrawal) and who have found success. We also look back at our past 99 episodes, share a new research publication, and provide a f

What is it like living in protracted withdrawal, seven years out? What are the joys? What are the pains? What are the triggers? What thoughts ruminate in the mind? Join your host as we pull back the curtain and visit a day in the life. For today’s podcast, I carried the recorder around with me all day so I could share the good, the bad, the fun, the mundane, the contemplations and struggles of living life in protracted benzo withdrawal. We touch on a wide variety of subjects

Are setbacks common in benzo withdrawal? What causes them? How long do they last? And how do you deal with them? Benzo withdrawal can be a crazy, confusing roller coaster ride, and sometimes you need a guide map to find your way. In today’s episode, we explore the setbacks many of us face in benzo withdrawal. We look at some of the causes, identify seven common triggers, and share a couple of methods for managing them. I hope you find it helpful. Video ID: BFP090 Listen to th

When the dark clouds of benzo withdrawal engulf you, how do you respond? Do you lock the door? Curse the world around you? Protect yourself and hide from life? Or is there another choice? One that takes time but may lead down a better path. In today’s podcast, I am back on the road again and on my favorite trail during a downpour. I used this experience as a metaphor for the choices we make during benzo withdrawal. Join me as we talk about facing our fears, discuss getting th

Benzo withdrawal is personal. It’s intimate. And most of all, it can be very isolating. Fear and loneliness are pervasive in withdrawal and we frequently crave understanding, compassion, and connection. But does it really have to be that way? In today’s episode, I share my thoughts and struggles with anxiety, symptoms, fear, and loneliness from a recent road trip to Kansas City. We also have a question about hypochondria, a story from California, and a brief discussion about