We’re making some important changes to Benzo Free this week, and I want to let you know about them. Social Media — A Lesson Learned It has recently come to my attention that there has been some concern about the rapid increase in “likes” and “follows” on the Benzo Free Facebook page over the past several months. When I learned of this concern last week, I investigated the issue and uncovered a somewhat surprising source. It appears that by using Facebook’s own direct advertis

Have you, or someone you know, been affected by benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, or thienodiazepines? Do you feel you have a story to tell but nobody to listen? Would you like to share your benzo journey with others on the Benzo Free website or podcast? Well, we’d love to hear it. If you have listened to the podcast, then you know that we share a benzo story almost every episode and I encourage our listeners to submit them for this purpose. Unfortunately, our reservoir of stories ha

The Internet has been buzzing lately with news about lavender oil. This interest was generated by some recent studies and claims by some medical practitioners. One of these is Professor Hans-Peter Volz, medical director of the Hospital for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatic Medicine in Schloss, Germany. In a recent health article from the Daily Mail, Prof. Volz warned that doctors are too quick to prescribe anti-anxiety drugs. He said, “Medicating too quickly can le

Questions plague every one of us who experience benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (BWS). Incessant, unending questions. As for me, I am also ADHD, which created a perfect blend of fear, anxiety, and a hyperactive mind. All these questions, and so few answers. That’s why I wrote Benzo Free. I had all these questions and I was obsessive about research. Eventually, it became a book. Your path will most likely be different, and that’s good. You have to find your own way through

OPINION When the FDA released its latest warning on Z-drugs, I quickly wrote up a blog post on the subject and even published it. But, before I posted it on Facebook, I re-read it as I often do, and something concerned me. I immediately removed the post and decided to re-write it in a different context. Here’s the recent announcement from the FDA on Z-drugs. I’ll follow with my opinion. New FDA Boxed Warning for Z-drugs On April 30th, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administrati

Most major medical associations, including the American Geriatric Society (AGS), caution against the prescribing of benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines in the elderly. And yet, this age group consumes these drugs at a higher rate than any other. The numbers are staggering. Over four million senior citizens in the U.S. alone were prescribed a benzodiazepine over the course of a single year. And 25% of all elderly who start taking a benzodiazepine — even if prescribed for sh

That’s a picture of my father. Three years ago he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This is a diagnosis no one ever wants to hear, but it’s a fact-of-life for so many. My mother has become his full-time caregiver. It’s a thankless job and her health has deteriorated in tandem. Soon after my father’s diagnosis, a doctor prescribed him a benzodiazepine. As you might imagine, this didn’t go over well with his son who has spent the past five years in protracted withdrawal f

Today is the start of “Senior Week” at Benzo Free. This week, we will focus much of our attention on the group of people most at-risk when it comes to benzodiazepines — the elderly. If you know of someone — a parent, a grandparent, a neighbor, a spouse — who is taking benzodiazepines or Z-drugs long-term and is having problems with dementia, falls, confusion, or other complications — perhaps benzos are a factor. Be on the lookout for blog articles and a special podcast episod

For all those who feel alone in benzo withdrawal, I just wanted to say, “hi.” Benzo withdrawal is an incredibly lonely illness. Even if you have a loved one to take care of you — and I know many of you don’t — you still are the only one trapped in your benzo-addled brain yearning for someone to climb in there with you and help you find your way out. But it doesn’t work that way — does it? So, I just wanted to say, “hello.” It’s just me. I don’t want anything. I don’t need any