Do you have questions about benzos? About withdrawal? About your symptoms and possible remedies? Do you want to chat with others about your withdrawal experiences? Or perhaps you just want to say hi. Whether you have been listening to the Benzo Free Podcast for months — or just recently discovered our Easing Anxiety videos — I hope you will stop by on Saturday morning for a chat. Welcome to our very first episode of “Benzo Mornings with D”. We may have several comments and q

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

Robert J. Valuck, Ph.D., is a Professor in Clinical Pharmacy, Epidemiology, and Family Medicine at the University of Colorado (CU) and the Director of the Center for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention at CU. This is a conversation not to miss. In part 2 of our conversation, we explore benzodiazepine advocacy and the hurdles we face, the use of flumazenil for benzo detox, the mechanisms of benzodiazepines in the body, and so much more. We also share a story from Chris in Austr

Robert J. Valuck, Ph.D., is a Professor in Clinical Pharmacy, Epidemiology, and Family Medicine at the University of Colorado (CU) and the Director of the Center for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention at CU. This is a conversation not to miss. In Part 1 of our discussion, we compare the opioid and benzo crises, visit the age-old addiction vs. dependence debate, and explore the recent FDA warning on benzodiazepines among other topics. I also share a benzo story from San Franci

Hello friends… it’s been a while. I’ve had a few people ask about the Benzo Free Blog recently. Most of them were wondering if it will return. I must admit, I’ve had similar questions myself. While the podcast has been going strong and gaining listeners each month, the blog appears to be mostly…well…dead. The fact is, the rumors of the death of our blog are a bit premature. Yes, it has been over two months since I posted a new article. And yes, that is a very long time in Int

In a recent article in CNN travel, “Sleeping pills and planes: Embarrassing tales from 35,000 feet,” by Sandee LaMotte, the author tells the story of passengers who take Ambien, or other sedatives, on long flights, and behave in bizarre and sometimes dangerous ways. These behaviors can include sleepwalking, childlike behavior, disrobing, fondling other passengers, becoming aggressive, and even urinating in the cabin. While the extreme acts are rare, they are becoming more fre

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

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

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