April 22, 2021 – An podcast interview with D Foster, host of The Benzo Free Podcast, is now available online. Brian Nigro of the podcast Mental Health Film Comment recorded the interview in February 2021. The episode is titled, “The Benzodiazepine Medical Disaster” after the 2016 film by Shane Kenny which featured Heather Ashton and Malcolm Lader. The film was only one of several topics discussed in the hour-long interview. You can listen to the interview on the podcast’s web

The Benzodiazepine Action Work Group of the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention hosts a screening of Medicating Normal followed by a post-screening panel discussion/Q&A. The mission of the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group is to increase benzodiazepine safety through education, patient support, and informed prescribing and deprescribing practices. The group joined the Consortium in November 2020. Event Sponsors: Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug

Benzo withdrawal creates far more questions than answers, and today we address a few of them. We look at the loss of self-confidence withdrawal, deciding how long to pause during our taper, TMJ and muscle tension, and a few other topics. We also share some news of upcoming events. I hope you enjoy it. Video ID: BFP078 Listen to the Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:00

How do benzodiazepines work? What do they do in the body? Why do they initially calm us, but then stop working? And why are they so incredibly hard to stop? When we take a look at the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate, we find a few answers. In today’s episode, we examine two key chemicals in the brain and discover a few insights into why withdrawal is so difficult for so many. We also answer a couple questions about support groups, spotlight two regional organizations, an

Do you know much about the cognitive effects of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs? Perhaps you should. Memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and intrusive memories are all possible symptoms of benzo use and withdrawal. In today’s episode, we talk about the damage benzodiazepines and Z-drugs can inflict on our mental capacity. We also hear a benzo story from England, answer a question about GABA receptors, and learn what it really feels like to heal. BTW, it feels good. Video ID: BFP0

Have you heard the term ‘sensory hypersensitivity,’ but don’t really know what it means? Perhaps you should ask someone in benzo withdrawal. Sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells, and tastes can be common. Learn the causes and a few tips on how to cope. In today’s episode, we talk about the withdrawal symptoms of the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. These include light and sound sensitivity, blurred vision, dry mouth, thrush, difficulty swallowing, and tinnitus among others. We a

What’s it really like to withdraw from anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills? For some of us, the experience is beyond words — but I will try anyway. Today, I share my personal story of benzo withdrawal — warts and all. I do this now to help raise awareness and hopefully become more relatable as your host. I was on clonazepam (Klonopin) for over 12 years and I’m now four years benzo-free. Even though I still have some symptoms, I consider my withdrawal a success. There is hope