Benzo use during pregnancy is a very difficult dilemma for pregnant women, especially for those who are already dependent. The decision of whether to stay on the drugs or taper during pregnancy is not without risks. There have been many warnings about complications with benzos during pregnancy, but a recent analysis has helped shine a light on a few of the concerns. The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study A recent journal article regarding benzo use during pregnancy was j

As part of our Caregiver Week at Benzo Free, we have added a new page to our website titled “For the Caregiver.” This new page combines 10 Tips for the Caregiver with other resources to help you in this journey. And this is only the beginning, as we uncover more resources and develop more tools to help you out, we will add them to this page and even expand it into an entire section if needed. Some of these tips were discussed in our podcast episode this week, “Conversation wi

What Is Caregiver Week? This week is Caregiver Week at Benzo Free. No, it’s not a national holiday or anything like that. Although, it should be. It definitely should be. You know, that’s not a bad idea. Not just for benzo caregivers, but for all caregivers. An international holiday for those who take care of others. Perhaps there already is one. If there is, great. If not, there needs to be one. But I digress. Whether it’s the person taking care of you now while going throug

Finding a New Normal One of the great things about hosting a blog and podcast is that I don’t have to think up all of the topics by myself. The ongoing correspondence with each one of you gives me plenty of ideas for my next post or episode. And yet, I still sit here and ponder, sometimes for hours, on what to talk about. At some point, I just have to pick something. Today, that something is “returning to normal.” So many who find themselves trapped in the throes of benzo wit

If you are new to the benzo community and just came across this site, that greeting is for you. Welcome! We are so glad you found us and hope that we can provide some support, connection, and even a few answers. But, I have to admit, that greeting wasn’t only for you — it was also for me. The more attention that the Benzo Free Podcast, Website, and Facebook Page, the more I learn what I don’t know. The truth is, I’m a newbie to this community. The benzo community has been aro

I realize that celebrating the International Day of Happiness may be the furthest thing from your mind if you are dealing with benzo dependence and withdrawal, but I don’t think it should be. Finding something to be happy about just might be the little thing which can lift your spirits, at least for a day. In my research, in addition to benzos, anxiety, depression, mental health, and other similar topics, I also spent a lot of time investigating happiness and trying to learn

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Podcast Explores Anti-Anxiety Drugs, Sleeping Pills, and the Struggle of Withdrawal The Benzo Free Podcast is here and launches on Thursday, Feb. 21. Hosted by author D E Foster, this weekly podcast explores the background and dangers of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs while providing first-hand insight into the reality of withdrawal. ERIE, COLORADO, February 21, 2019 – Benzos are some of the most popular drugs ever created. They are also some of the mos

Prof. C. Heather Ashton spent 12 years working with benzo recovery patients in her clinic and fought tirelessly to raise awareness of this issue and help those who are struggling with benzo dependence. She is retired now but is praised by many as the world’s leading expert on benzo withdrawal. Her guide to withdrawal, commonly called “The Ashton Manual,” has become a universal guide to thousands of people around the world. No other resource has helped more people through this

The use of benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines in the elderly is of very serious concern, especially when it comes to driving. Not only have benzos been shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (by 32% to 84% depending on the study) and hip fractures from falls (by as much as 40% in some groups) along with other side effects and risks in the elderly, they also can inhibit senior citizens ability to drive motor vehicles. A study released in November 2018 by the AAA