Benzo withdrawal can trigger a vast array of symptoms. Some of these are common and well-known, yet others like skin rashes, irritability, personality changes, and the loss of social skills can go by unidentified or even misdiagnosed. In today’s episode, we discuss seven little-known symptoms of withdrawal. We also hear a benzo story from South Carolina and introduce our new YouTube Channel dedicated to easing anxiety. Video ID: BFP062 Listen on YouTube The Benzo Free Podcast

Our gut can take a direct hit in benzo withdrawal. Pain, aches, cramps, digestive issues, inflammation, distention, and more. Why does this happen and what can we do about it? It’s time to revisit these symptoms and see what we can learn. In today’s episode, we take a second look at the symptoms of the abdomen and digestive system. We also hear a benzo success story, talk about the long game of withdrawal, and hear some original music from one of our listeners. Video ID: BFP

Questions lead us to answers. Comments provide us insight. And stories connect from all corners of the globe. Your input is the heart of the Benzo Free Podcast, and it’s about time we dedicated an entire episode to that wonderful resource. In today’s episode, we explore the effects of benzos on our sense of taste, we learn about the benefits of yoga nidra for sleep, and we evaluate the use of sauna therapy for withdrawal. We also hear three wonderful stories from New York, Ne

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

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

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

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