Finally, the courts have reached a settlement for the family of John Patrick Walter to the sum of $4.25 million. Please help us spread this story. The more people who hear about Walter and others who have shared is fate, the sooner our justice system will realize the true dangers of benzo withdrawal and take this situation seriously. For those who have read my book, you may remember Walter’s story. If not, please read the excerpt from my book below. Please note, this story ma

The Associated Press reported yesterday that between 2002 and 2007 the CIA investigated the use of benzos, in particular, midazolam (Versed), in the interrogation of terror suspects. In a recently declassified report provided to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), details of this drug research program were revealed. Versed was considered possibly worth a trial if unequivocal legal sanction first were obtained. There were at least two legal obstacles: a prohibition agai

Thank you for your interest in “Benzo Free.” Today’s message is focused on the website and the Benzo Free community. I’ll admit, it’s pretty small right now. The book was published in late August and the website followed on the 1st of September. I’ve spent the past few weeks grinding my teeth as I struggled with a trial and error method of marketing both. Marketing is not my forte, not by a long-shot. I had some minor successes, but since I’m a rookie in the world of SEO and

I was chatting with someone yesterday who was very distressed and hopeless. It was heart-breaking. I soon realized that so many others are in the same boat as she is. I wish I had an answer to make her pain and suffering go away, but I didn’t. The factors that can affect our experience through withdrawal are endless. How is our attitude? Do we have a positive outlook? What’s our anxiety level? How about our physical health? Do we have a good doctor to help us taper? Do we hav

The Benzo Free Website officially launches today, September 1st, 2018! About the Website The Benzo Free Website is dedicated to anti-anxiety drugs and those who suffer their effects. Benzos and benzo-like drugs have had their fair share of media attention over their 50+ years of existence. Unfortunately, much of that attention has been positive and has elevated benzos to reach a sort of “miracle pill” status. Those of us who have experienced benzo withdrawal first-hand know t

Fear is the primary enemy in withdrawal, and how we manage that fear can make the difference between success or failure. There’s no overnight fix. As much as we all want one, it just doesn’t exist. But there are a lot of things we can do to manage this fear and develop a more positive and stable mindset. Like many of us, you may have physical symptoms. But rarely can you do anything to directly affect them. They will come, and they will go. And often, those physical symptoms

About the Book Ever heard of benzodiazepines? How about z-drugs? Perhaps you know their brand names, like Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Valium or Xanax. Millions of people around the world take these drugs every day and very few know much about them, let alone what it’s like to withdraw. My hope is to help change that. For those who experience benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (BWS), incessant questions run rampant, but answers are few. I searched high and low to find i

I have great news!!! Well, great news from my point of view. I hope others will feel the same way once they’ve read it, but that is still to be determined. Anyway, the great, or good news depending on your point-of-view, is that my book, Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal, is now available for purchase on Amazon.com in both Kindle and paperback versions. Yeah! Okay, perhaps a bit anti-climatic. But still pretty damn cool. After four year