We’re back on the road with a 4,400-mile round trip from Colorado to Florida. During this trip, your host shares his personal experiences traveling with protracted withdrawal symptoms along with some valuable lessons learned. In part 2 of the adventure, D narrates highlights from his time in Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky while sharing his thoughts on lingering abdominal issues, our anxious need for control, and other unique perspectives only a road trip can reveal. Video ID: BFP048 Listen on YouTube... This episode is part of a 2-part series. Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/on-the-road-with-benzos-part-1-of-1-or-2-bfp047 The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 07:18 Nature Trail Hike and Ambient Sounds (KCMO) 12:30 Missing Family (Kimble, TN) 13:50 Hiking Along Tennessee River (Meet JB) 14:50 Summary of Theme Park Fun (Orlando) 16:43 Morning at WDW 17:58 Road Trip: Cure for Insomnia? 19:38 Backstage / Urinary Issues / Limitations 27:00 Letting Go of Our Need for Control 33:43 “I Don’t Mind What Happens” 43:27 Morning in Downtown Gatlinburg, TN 47:12 Sounds from Great Smokey Mountain NP 48:07 Foggy Morning / Travels with Charley (Louisville, KY) 53:26 Back with the Family (Lenexa, KS) 54:53 Last Day / Back Home / Closing Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. THE ROAD TRIP — Road Trip Photos: (no longer available) — BOOK: "Travels with Charley" by John Steinbeck — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0140053204/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_eEh8DbK46KYF8 — SAYING "I Don't Mind What Happens" by Jiddu Krishnamurti as referenced in an article from the Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/aug/10/stop-minding-psychology-oliver-burkeman Introduction In today’s intro, I keep it short and mention the votes which favored part 2 of the road trip and also ask for gratitudes for our upcoming episode. Feature: Road Trip Today is part two of our 4,400-mile road trip from Colorado to Florida and back. Lots of thoughts, ideas, struggles, difficulties, joys, successes, and any other thing you can image combined into almost three weeks on the road. I hope you enjoy this episode, let me know what you think. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

Our gut takes a big hit in benzo withdrawal, but digestive difficulties are only part of it. Pelvic pain, cramps, aching, urinary difficulties, sexual dysfunction, and many other complications of the lower abdomen can be part of the overall picture. In today’s episode, we focus on symptoms of the lower abdomen and pelvis including pelvic floor dysfunction. We also explore the difficulties of poor reading comprehension, discuss a mother’s quest to help her son with violent tendencies, and hear a story of success from the United Kingdom. Video ID: BFP049 Listen on YouTube... The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 08:31 Mailbag 20:10 Benzo Story 28:37 Feature 51:03 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. FEATURE: The Pelvic Problem Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual. Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book. Silviera, Matthew and Deborah S. Keller. Charles J. Yeo ed. Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, 8th Edition: Chapter 150 – Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. Netherlands: Elsevier Inc. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-40232-3.00150-3. Introduction In today’s intro, I talked about my improved mood since I returned from the road trip and embracing the joy of the holiday season. I also asked for more submissions for the podcast episode on gratitudes. Mailbag COMMENT: Difficulty with Reading Comprehension– Someone who prefers to remain anonymous shared his difficulties with reading comprehension during withdrawal and we explored this topic. QUESTION: Benzos and Violent Tendencies – Another person who also prefers to remain anonymous, but we called her Madison for the episode, shared her struggle dealing with her son who is tapering from benzos and is exhibiting rage and violent behavior. Benzo Stories Today we shared a story from Graham, in the United Kingdom Feature: The Pelvic Problem Today’s feature was dedicated to benzo symptoms of the lower abdomen and pelvis, including urinary difficulties, sexual dysfunction, aches, pain, cramping, and many others. We explore three examples from our listeners and one story from your host. And we take a look a the possible causes and treatments. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

It’s that time of year again. Time to review, reminisce, and remember how far we have come. Even if you are in the middle of benzo withdrawal, there are always things to be grateful for. In today’s episode, the Benzo Free Community shares its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the good things in life. Wishing you all peace, love, and healing, now and for many years to come. D 😊 Video ID: BFP050 Listen on YouTube... The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 14:27 Gratitudes 32:52 Moment of Peace The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

“Medicating Normal,” a documentary feature film about the overprescribing of psychiatric drugs, premiers at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 16th and 17th. We had the distinct privilege to speak with two of the filmmakers this week. In part one of our two-part series, D had a wonderful conversation with director/producer Lynn Cunningham. Lynn candidly shares the struggles and successes of making this film, the inspiration behind it, and the insights gained from their private screenings and panels. Video ID: BFP051 Listen on YouTube... The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 05:18 INTERVIEW: Lynn Cunningham 50:08 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. MEDICATING NORMAL Film’s Website: https://medicatingnormal.com/ Film’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/medicatingnormalfilm/ Film’s Youtube Channel (with Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh-enG_cv0MbGoU4XdT9mxA Screenings and How to Host a Screening: https://medicatingnormal.com/watch/ BIO - Lynn Cunningham Lynn began her filmmaking career editing films in the late 1980s and 1990s, for PBS, Middlemarch Films, Michael Blackwood, and the History Channel. Editing credits include: Walter Reuther and the Rise of the Auto Workers’ Union, a one-hour documentary for American Experience, Behind the Scenes, a children’s series about the arts for PBS, as well as Butoh: Body on the Edge of Crisis, Tadao Ando, and Mel Bochner: Thought Made Visible. In the late 1990s, as an Asahi Shimbun fellow, Lynn directed and produced A Quiet Revolution: The Emergence of Alternative Education in Japan, about Japan’s ‘School Refusal’ movement, that won the 1997 Japan Times Award for films and videos about Japan. Lynn holds a BA in Architecture from Yale University in 1983. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

Angela Peacock, MSW, is a US Army veteran, benzo survivor, member of BIC’s medical board, and a tireless advocate for those who struggle with PTSD and psychiatric drugs. Her story is highlighted in the new film, "Medicating Normal." Premiering at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 16th and 17th, 2020, “Medicating Normal” is a documentary feature film about the overprescribing of psychiatric drugs and its effects. Join us for our fascinating conversation with Angie on today's podcast. Video ID: BFP052 Listen on YouTube... The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 11:29 INTERVIEW: Angela Peacock 52:34 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. INTERVIEW YOUTUBE: Healing from Benzos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeF7Z4_K9_GJ7V27uNYu7hA YOUTUBE: Being Human RV: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiDKHkLjlQGz7Rgv0Z8kHQw FACEBOOK: Being Human RV: https://www.facebook.com/BeingHumanRV/ WEBSITE: Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ MEDICATING NORMAL Film’s Website: https://medicatingnormal.com/ Film’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/medicatingnormalfilm/ Film’s Youtube Channel (with Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh-enG_cv0MbGoU4XdT9mxA Screenings and How to Host a Screening: https://medicatingnormal.com/watch/ BIO - Angela Peacock Angela Peacock served in the US Army for almost seven years and was medically retired after one tour in Iraq. She was subsequently medicated for PTS, a victim of polypharmacy, and went on and off benzodiazepines several times under a doctor’s care until coming off for the final time, in January 2016. despite suffering from protracted benzodiazepine and polypharmacy damage, she recently completed her masters in social work, from Washington University in St. Louis. She has been a veteran advocate for many years, speaking nationally about trauma and resilience, female veterans, and post-traumatic stress. She was a Veterans of Foreign Wars- Student Veterans of America, Legislative Policy Fellow in 2019, where she advocated for safer prescribing practices and informed consent concerning benzos at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She serves on the medical board at Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, has supported hundreds of people recovering from benzo injury through her YouTube channel and online support groups, and is now one of five subjects in the upcoming film, “Medicating Normal.” The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

In benzo withdrawal, we are often trapped in an insatiable quest for information, verification, and connection — much of which is done online. But can too much information be a bad thing? Can this search be part of the problem? In today’s episode, we look at online triggers during benzo withdrawal and the effect information and horror stories can have on our healing. We also hear a story from Montana and share a comment about natural treatments and supplements. Video ID: BFP053 Listen on YouTube... The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 06:35 Mailbag 15:47 Benzo Story 25:17 FEATURE: Online Triggers 49:44 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. FEATURE: Online Triggers and Benzo Withdrawal Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book. Richmond, Raymond Lloyd. A Guide to Psychology and its Practice. San Francisco: Raymond Lloyd Richmond, Ph.D., 1997-2019. http://www.guidetopsychology.com/boundaries.htm. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

For the past 14 years, Baylissa Frederick has supported thousands of people affected by prescribed drug dependency and withdrawal both as a psychotherapist and through her books and online support website, “Bloom in Wellness”. Join us today for part one of our two-part conversation with Baylissa and learn about her experience with benzos, commonalities she sees in her patients, her views on distraction and acceptance, and her personal relationship with Prof. Ashton. Video ID: BFP054 Listen on YouTube... This episode is part of a 2-part series. Listen to Part 2 here: https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/hope-wellness-and-renewal-a-conversation-with-baylissa-frederick-part-2-of-2-bfp055 The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 13:00 FEATURE: Baylissa Frederick 50:57 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. FEATURE: Conversation with Baylissa Frederick Baylissa’s Website (Bloom in Wellness): https://baylissa.com/ Baylissa’s Books: https://baylissa.com/books/ Baylissa’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BloominWellness/ Baylissa’s Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/BaylissaTherapy Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry (CEP): http://cepuk.org/ Benzo.org.uk (Home of the Ashton Manual): https://benzo.org.uk/ The Ashton Manual: https://benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm BIO - Baylissa Frederick Baylissa Frederick is a psychotherapist, coach, and author with two decades of experience working with people from all over the world. She holds a Master’s Degree in Therapeutic Counselling and is involved in helping people affected by antidepressant, tranquillizer, and opiate physical dependence and withdrawal. She delivers keynote speeches on the subject, has provided awareness presentations to organizations including the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and offers training workshops to psychotherapists and counselors. She has been interviewed and quoted by newspapers and journals including The London Times, The Independent and British Medical Association News. Baylissa is the author of the internationally successful self-help book, Recovery and Renewal, the memoir, With Hope in My Heart, and two journals, Dearest Me and Dearest Friend. She was prescribed the benzodiazepine, clonazepam, for a form of dystonia (involuntary movement disorder) and survived an intense withdrawal experience when coming off it. She is now fully recovered and derives her greatest pleasure from helping others through withdrawal. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

For the past 14 years, Baylissa Frederick has supported thousands of people affected by prescribed drug dependency and withdrawal both as a psychotherapist and through her books and online support website, “Bloom in Wellness”. Join us today for part two of our two-part conversation with Baylissa and learn about her counseling experience with psychiatric drug withdrawal, EFT, benzo activism in the United Kingdom, and much more. Video ID: BFP055 Listen on YouTube... This episode is part of a 2-part series. Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/hope-wellness-and-renewal-a-conversation-with-baylissa-frederick-part-1-of-2-bfp054 The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 11:58 FEATURE: Baylissa Frederick 54:52 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. FEATURE: Conversation with Baylissa Frederick Baylissa’s Website (Bloom in Wellness): https://baylissa.com/ Baylissa’s Books: https://baylissa.com/books/ Baylissa’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BloominWellness/ Baylissa’s Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/BaylissaTherapy Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry (CEP): http://cepuk.org/ Benzo.org.uk (Home of the Ashton Manual): https://benzo.org.uk/ The Ashton Manual: https://benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm BIO - Baylissa Frederick Baylissa Frederick is a psychotherapist, coach, and author with two decades of experience working with people from all over the world. She holds a Master’s Degree in Therapeutic Counselling and is involved in helping people affected by antidepressant, tranquillizer, and opiate physical dependence and withdrawal. She delivers keynote speeches on the subject, has provided awareness presentations to organizations including the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and offers training workshops to psychotherapists and counselors. She has been interviewed and quoted by newspapers and journals including The London Times, The Independent and British Medical Association News. Baylissa is the author of the internationally successful self-help book, Recovery and Renewal, the memoir, With Hope in My Heart, and two journals, Dearest Me and Dearest Friend. She was prescribed the benzodiazepine, clonazepam, for a form of dystonia (involuntary movement disorder) and survived an intense withdrawal experience when coming off it. She is now fully recovered and derives her greatest pleasure from helping others through withdrawal. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

This post is about something called the wibber gibbers, and how to avoid them. Confused? Hang with me. I’ll explain. I just returned from another road trip. I seem to be doing a few of those lately. Whenever I travel, I always take a few books with me, both audio for the car and in print for evenings in the hotel. My latest one isHow to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie, originally published in 1944. When I read books for research, I have my process. A paperback book (no iPad or Kindle for me, still old school when it comes to reading), my trusty blue ink pen, my yellow highlighter, and I go to town. I highlight and notate anything I find of interest. When I am done, I put it on the shelf behind my desk for reference. Some books I barely mark up, others I seem to leave ink on almost every page. This book is definitely the latter and was full of insightful tools for managing anxiety. I enjoy reading books from all eras in human history, and I am frequently amazed at how little has changed when it comes to the maladies of the human psyche. In fact, many of our modern techniques for managing anxiety have roots in ancient minds. Think meditation and the Buddha (~500 BC), identification of phobias by Hippocrates (~400 BC),and the path to ataraxia (being free from worry) by Epicurius (~300 BC). Now, Dale Carnegie’s book doesn’t go back that far, but it has been over 70 years since it was first published. And as I was reviewing it, I just happened to come across his advice on how to manage worry through two very basic techniques. These techniques are not new, and many of us have tried them at some point in the past, but it never hurts to have a reminder, does it? The Wibber Gibbers Before we move on, though, there may be one persistent question lingering in your mind. “Wibber gibbers.” What are they and what do they have to do with anything I am talking about here? Well, I’m glad you asked. “Wibber gibbers,” or WGs, are those negative, fear-based thoughts and emotions which can overwhelm a restful mind. They are the gremlins that will jump on any opportunity to kill your positivity and bring you down, keeping you there with dark thoughts and an overall sense of hopelessness. Despite what you might think, I didn’t make up this term. Its use dates back to the 19th century, if not before. In fact, Charles Darwin actually spoke about the wibber gibbers in some of his letters, so the term has been around for a while. As a man who suffered from severe anxiety himself, Darwin knew the WGs quite well. And I thought his use of this term was perfect for today’s post. In benzo withdrawal, we are very familiar with the wibber gibbers, even if we had a different name for them. In fact, I dare say that those of us in severe benzo withdrawal experience some of the most powerful wibber gibbers on the planet. Negative thoughts and emotions can cause more destruction than almost anything else. These gremlins run rampant during dependence and withdrawal and they wreak havoc on our peace-of-mind. They do this by killing our spirit. They suppress our will to move and think and do things to make us feel better. They only have one goal, and that is to keep us thinking about how horrible life is and black out any messages of hope, healing, or recovery. Now, perhaps the term wibber gibbers sounds silly to you. Well, if it does, then good. It sounds silly to me too. But, perhaps a bit of silliness just may be what we need now and then. If a silly term can help diminish our fear of something, even if just a little, and help us realize that we can conquer that fear and find a way back to a more peaceful state-of-mind, then why not be silly? These wibber gibbers are constantly whispering in our ear. But, their messages are all lies. There is hope. There is healing. There is recovery. There are ways to manage these dreaded wibber gibbers. There are ways to make sure they do not own you and take over. And I’d like to talk about a couple of those today. A Busy Mind When we are not busy, our minds tend to become a near-vacuum. Every student of physics knows that “nature abhors a vacuum” … Nature rushes in to fill the vacant mind [with] emotions. Because emotions of worry, fear, hate, jealousy, and envy are driven by primeval vigor and the dynamic energy of the jungle. Such emotions are so violent that they tend to drive out of our minds all peaceful, happy thoughts and emotions. — Dale Carnegie, “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” In the above quote, Carnegie differentiates between the emotions driven by fear and those of a more peaceful nature. A long time ago, evolutionarily speaking, our response to fear-based emotions may have meant life-or-death. Our brains became wired to listen and react to these primeval messages. But, that is rarely the case anymore. Our encounters with saber-toothed tigers on the way to the office are rare, at best. Unfortunately, though, our bodies and minds still react as if we are truly threatened. And thus, we over-react. During withdrawal, our internal calming mechanism can become damaged and our reactions to these fearful thoughts become escalated well above any normal response. Thus, if we can find ways to reduce these fearful thoughts, we can help calm our mind, and ease the physical and psychological symptoms they may trigger. The concept of keeping ourselves busy is not new in benzo withdrawal. It has been around since the drugs first started creating problems in the 60s. The concept is simple — occupy your mind. If your mind is occupied, it can’t think of anything else. Don’t believe me? In his book, Carnegie suggested an experiment. He said to sit back, relax, and try to think of two things at once. He suggested the Statue of Liberty and what you plan to do tomorrow. Try and think of these concepts simultaneously. You can’t, can you? Sure, you might be able to shift back and forth between the two, but you can’t think about both at the same moment. That’s because that’s not how our conscious minds work. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. — Ralph Waldo Emerson Keeping busy, especially with things that occupy your mind, can help us in benzo withdrawal. That was — and still is — a key to my success. Writing my book, working on the website and podcast, corresponding with many of you, these have been my saving graces. So many of us find ourselves out-of-work during this time, which only makes this harder. But there are other things you can do. Tasks. Household projects. Planning a weekend getaway. Gardening. Learning a new language. Sewing a dress for your daughter. Studying astronomy. Reading to your child. Doing word search puzzles. Helping with homework. One of the best methods of doing this, in my opinion, is to volunteer. Not only does helping others keep your mind busy, but it also helps you focus on someone else’s problems for a change. Sign up for a charity event you care about. Help coach a Special Olympics team. Dedicate some time to the local animal shelter. And it doesn’t even have to be something formal if that’s more than you can do right now. Help out a neighbor. Help your mom, or dad, or brother, or sister, or children, or friend. There are always opportunities to help others if you are looking. Keeping ourselves busy can be a godsend during withdrawal. It keeps those dastardly wibber gibbers at bay and it gives your mind a break so it can focus on more positive thoughts for a while. Positive Thinking Yes. Before you even say it, I know what many of you are thinking. How can I find and maintain a positive attitude in the middle of benzo withdrawal? Well, that’s a good question actually. And one I am prepared to answer. I have spoken about a positive mindset many times on the podcast, but it never hurts to have a refresher. As I was reading Carnegie’s book I came across a section on positivity — and I wasn’t surprised. Almost every book I’ve read on anxiety and depression, and there are far more than I can count, talks about finding and keeping a positive mental attitude. Why you may ask? Because it works. And if you look around, you will see it every day. The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, and hell of heaven. — JOHN MILTON, “PARADISE LOST” In his book, Carnegie gave a perfect example by comparing two famous people from history: Napoleon and Helen Keller. Napoleon had everything: glory, power, riches. And yet he once said to Saint Helena, “I have never known six happy days in my life.” Few would say that Napoleon was a happy man. And what about Helen Keller, who became both blind and deaf at 19 months of age? She once declared, “I have found life so beautiful.” The truth is, our circumstances rarely dictate our mood. In fact, it is quite often the other way around. I have an elderly friend. She is nearing the last years of her life, and she is quite bitter. Money is short, health is failing, life is miserable. Many would look at her circumstances and agree that she has little to be happy about. And yet, that is not the real cause of her disposition. You see, this woman has always been like this. Her whole life. When she came into money, it wasn’t enough. When her health was at its peak, she worried about a mole or a rash or a random pain. When something good happened, she couldn’t be happy. Instead, she was overwhelmed with the fear that it wasn’t going last. And she was usually right. Our minds are extremely powerful. Far more powerful than we ever imagined. And if we are feeding our minds with junk food (negativity, anger, hate, fear), can we really expect it to perform at an optimal level? So, perhaps we should feed our minds with healthy food instead. Positive thoughts. Calming thoughts. Thoughts of peace and happiness instead of fear and worry. No, I realize you can’t do this all the time, especially in benzo withdrawal when our minds have been hindered by these drugs, but you can do it sometimes. Just start small. Start with today. Say to yourself, “Just for today, I will be happy.” And see what happens. Keep telling yourself this throughout the day. You can worry about all the other crap tomorrow. But for today, you choose to be happy. I’ve done this several times, and it actually helped. In fact, I’m going to do it today too. I have to admit, I was quite surprised how my day turned out when I first tried it, even with ongoing symptoms. It helped me, and maybe it just might help you too. Finding a Balance As great as busyness is. As great as positive thinking is. They are not a panacea. It is important to find and maintain a balance in almost everything in life. You can keep yourself too busy. You can mask your true emotions with positivity too much. Do not use these techniques as a means of blocking, as a means of pushing all negative feelings and emotions to the side all the time. This can actually make things worse. We have to process life events. Whether that be through a good cry, through introspection, through meditation, or through any method that works for you, humans have to process their emotions at some time. And you need to set aside time for this. If you don’t do it now, trust me, it will come out later. It is important to allow this process to happen. So, don’t use busyness and positivity as methods of avoiding your feelings. But that being said, we also need to know when enough is enough. If you have processed the grief of this experience, but you keep triggering the fear, pain, and anger through online discussion groups, researching symptoms, or anything else that may give you an artificial high in the short-term, but leads to looping thoughts and ruminations in the long-run, be careful. This cycle of negativity can trap you quite easily. Closing Words Benzo withdrawal can be one of the most difficult experiences a person can face. Those wibber gibbers are some of the nastiest gremlins known. They are persistent, ever-present, and diabolical in their ruthless attacks. But they aren’t invincible. Keeping busy and maintaining a positive attitude during this time can seem like an insurmountable task. But it helps. It really does. So many of us have used these techniques and similar variations to get through this gauntlet of despair, and we came out the other side better than ever. If the WGs are getting you down, then find ways to occupy your mind with other things, with other thoughts, with other activities. Find positive things to focus on and decide, even if it’s just for one day, to be happy that day. And see where it gets you. Take care, D :) Disclaimer The Benzo Free Blog is for informational purposes only, and should never be considered medical nor professional advice. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer. References Carnegie, Dale. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1984. (originally published 1944). Print. Crocq, Marc-Antoine. “A history of anxiety: from Hippocrates to DSM.” Dialogues in clinical neuroscience 2015 Sep, 17(3):319-25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4610616.

Jordan Peterson is a psychologist and author from the University of Toronto. While his political views have created much controversy in recent years, it’s his dependence and rapid detox from benzodiazepines that triggered today’s blog post. Several listeners to the podcast have alerted me to this topic and although stories in the news are not our typical focus, I felt this one needed some clarification. *** Caution: This post includes descriptions of extreme withdrawal methods and withdrawal symptomatology. *** Watch the Video On February 7th, Jordan’s daughter, Mikhaila, posted a YouTube video detailing her father’s horrific experience withdrawing from an undisclosed benzodiazepine. The video went viral and acquired almost two million views in just three days. Many media outlets have picked up the story including the NY Post, the Canadian Press, and the Independent. While these reports have helped raise awareness about benzodiazepines, they have also created some confusion. Addiction vs. Dependence Most of us know the controversy surrounding the term “addiction” when it comes to benzodiazepines. While addiction is possible with benzos, it is rare. Physiological dependence is the more accurate term to use and we attempt to correct this inaccuracy in the media when it is spotted. In fact, Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) even has a team dedicated to this very task. Thus, when we see articles with titles such as the NY Post’s, “Jordan Peterson recovering from tranquilizer addiction in Russia,” or the Independent’s, “Jordan Peterson suffers year of ‘absolute hell’ and needs emergency treatment for drug addiction…,” we as a community take note and attempt to correct the errors. A perfect example of this is the article from The Independent mentioned above. In that piece, the author uses terms like “getting hooked,” “drug detox,” “highly addictive,” and of course, “addiction.” While “physical dependence” was mentioned referring to Mikhaila’s statement, it is lost in the gluttony of addiction terminology. In fact, despite the journalists’ repeated missteps, Mikhaila attempted to clarify that her father suffers from dependence. In an article in Insider, she was quoted as saying, “Neither our family nor our doctors here believe this is a case of psychological addiction. Benzodiazepine physical dependence due to brain changes can occur in a matter of weeks.” Using “dependence” instead of “addiction” is important. One of the key reasons for this concern is that treatment for addiction is different than that for dependence. Standard procedures for drug detox are often far too rapid, focus more on craving and psychological addiction than on physiological withdrawal, and frequently fail, complicating any future attempts the patient may take to remove themselves from the medication. People who believe they are addicted and check-in to a detox facility that specializes in addiction can be putting themselves at risk. Rapid Detox – Miracle Cure? While the terminology is important, there is an even more pressing topic here that begs for clarification. In fact, most of the questions I have received on this story have been related to Dr. Peterson’s treatment in Russia. Peterson was prescribed a benzodiazepine a few years ago for what his daughter, Mikhaila, refers to as an “autoimmune reaction to food.” When his wife was diagnosed with cancer he became aware of his physical dependence. He went to a rehabilitation center in New York, but with little success. His severe akathisia triggered suicidal thoughts and after failed attempts to withdraw the family sought out desperate measures. Mikhaila and her husband took Peterson to Moscow last month, where he was “medically detoxed” in a hospital setting. She said it was “horrific,” worse than anything she had ever heard about and that he is now “taking anti-seizure medication and cannot type or walk unaided, but is ‘on the mend’ and his sense of humor has returned.” Following Mikhaila’s video, social media was abuzz with controversy about benzodiazepine “addiction” and this secretive procedure he endured in Russia. Mikhaila’s description of her father’s treatment in Moscow, including the fact that she stated he was “in a coma” and that he is currently taking “anti-seizure medication,” made me think of one very extreme treatment method — “ultra-rapid detox” using flumazenil. I do not know for a fact that this is the procedure he endured, but the signs do appear to point in that direction. Either way, I believe it is a topic that needs to be addressed. Flumazenil and Rapid Detox The “ultra-rapid detox” type of procedure is extremely risky. The patient is given general anesthesia to sleep and then the flumazenil is administered intravenously. This procedure can take 1-2 days and when the patient wakes up they are considered “benzodiazepine free.” Slightly less extreme methods of treatment by flumazenil, such as “rapid detox,” can last around eight days, and are still administered in many countries, including the U.S. Flumazenil is a GABA receptor antagonist and is used for this procedure because it has been shown to have a beneficial effect on symptomology in some patients. In 1992, a study by Lader and Morton published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that patients who received flumazenil infusions had rapid relief of protracted withdrawal symptoms in the range of 27–82%. It was thought that flumazenil may help the GABA receptors return to their natural state after being damaged by long-term benzo use. Unfortunately, there were a couple of problems with flumazenil in the treatment of benzodiazepine dependence. First off, the drug must be administered intravenously and has a very short half-life. As a result, symptom relief is only temporary. And second, treatment with flumazenil comes with a high risk of seizures. So, where does that leave us? A Slow Taper I have yet to see any evidence which would lead me to believe that there is a better solution for benzodiazepine withdrawal than a slow taper under doctor supervision. This is the standard treatment recommended by Prof. Ashton and most experts who have spent any time working directly with patients of long-term use. A statement on the British Medical Association’s (BMA) website titled “Slower sedative withdrawal recommended,” last updated on December 7, 2018, highlights the BMA’s recommendations on benzodiazepine withdrawal. It stated that there is concern that the previous best practices of reducing benzodiazepine dosage by an eighth every two weeks, was “too rapid,” and that a new emphasis on “longer withdrawal schedules” and “withdrawal at a flexible rate,” per the Ashton manual, is now recommended. This text was approved by the Joint Formulary Committee, which is comprised of the BMA, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, and the UK health departments among others. Now, I am not a medical professional, and as I have said hundreds of times on the podcast and in blog posts, I cannot give medical advice. But, if I had to withdraw from benzos all over again, God forbid, I would stick with Ashton and the BMA. References Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/. Brean, Joseph. “Jordan Peterson’s year of ‘absolute hell’: Professor forced to retreat from public life because of addiction.” National Post. February 7, 2020. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://nationalpost.com/news/jordan-petersons-year-of-absolute-hell-professor-forced-to-retreat-from-public-life-because-of-tranquilizer-addiction. British Medical Association (BMA). “Slower sedative withdrawal recommended.” BMA News. Last Updated December 7, 2018. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://www.bma.org.uk/news/2013/november/slower-sedative-withdrawal-recommended. “Family says controversial professor Jordan Peterson recovering from addiction.” The Canadian Press. February 8, 2020. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://www.nsnews.com/family-says-controversial-professor-jordan-peterson-recovering-from-addiction-1.24071605. Foster, D. E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, CO: Denim Mountain Press: 2019. https://easinganxiety.com/book. Jordan B Peterson. “Peterson Family Update – February 2020.” YouTube. Accessed February 8, 2020. https://youtu.be/DTwEFa5NW2k. “Jordan Peterson Goes to Russia for Emergency Treatment After 4 Weeks in ICU, Daughter Says.” Sputnik News. February 8, 220. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://sputniknews.com/russia/202002081078259858-jordan-peterson-goes-to-russia-for-emergency-treatment-after-4-weeks-in-icu-daughter-says/. Lader, M.H. and S.V. Morton. “A Pilot Study of the Effects of Flumazenil on Symp-toms Persisting After Benzodiazepine Withdrawal.” Journal of Psychopharmacology 6(3)(January 1992):357-63. Accessed March 6, 2017. doi:10.1177/026988119200600303. Oppenheim, Maya. “Jordan Peterson suffers year of ‘absolute hell’ and needs emergency treatment for drug addiction that forced him to withdraw from public life, daughter says.” The Independent. February 8, 2020. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/jordan-peterson-drug-addiction-benzo-valium-xanex-russia-mikhaila-a9324871.html. Perrett, Connor. “Daughter of controversial academic Jordan Peterson says he flew to Russia for treatment after developing a ‘physical dependency’ on prescription drugs.” Insider. February 8, 2020. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://www.insider.com/jordan-peterson-treated-in-russia-for-addiction-daughter-says-2020-2. “Rapid Benzodiazepine Detox FAQs.” The Coleman Institute for Addiction Medicine. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://thecolemaninstitute.com/about-addiction/faqs/rapid-benzodiazepine-detox-faqs. Disclaimer The Benzo Free Blog is for informational purposes only, and should never be considered medical nor professional advice. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer.

Benzo dependence and withdrawal can seem hopeless at times — but it’s not. There is hope. There is healing. There is a better life on the other side. And today we dedicated an entire episode to positive messages and stories of success. In today’s episode, we share a whole series of encouraging facts, information, and most of all stories, which shine the light on the path to success and a better life. We also discuss some updates to the Benzo Free website and share a few other changes. Video ID: BFP056 Listen on YouTube... The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 11:35 Benzo Stories 23:45 FEATURE: Positive Messages 54:08 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. FEATURE: Positive Messages Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual. Carnegie, Dale. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1984. (originally published 1944). Print. Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book. Kipfer, Barbara Ann. 14,000 things to be happy about. New York: Workman Publishing, 1990. Print. Phillips, Morgan. “Arkansas woman texted father’s number every day after he died, she got a response four years later.” Fox News. October 26, 2019. Accessed February 10, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/arkansas-woman-texting-father-every-day-response. Roser, Max and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina. “Global Extreme Poverty.” Our World in Data (Online Resource). 2018. Accessed April 12, 2018. https://ourworldindata.org/extreme-poverty. Roser, Max and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina “Global Rise of Education.” Our World in Data (Online Resource). 2017. Accessed April 12, 2018. https://ourworldindata.org/global-rise-of-education. Roser, Max and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina “Homicides.” Our World in Data (Online Resource). 2018. Accessed April 12, 2018. https://ourworldindata.org/homicides. Roser, Max, Esteban Ortiz-Ospina and Hannah Ritchie. “Life Expectancy.” Our World in Data. 2020. Accessed February 10, 2020. https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy Roser, Max, Hannah Ritchie and Bernadeta Dadonaite. “Child & Infant Mortality”. Our World in Data. 2020. Accessed February 10, 2020. https://ourworldindata.org/child-mortality. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

On February 24th, 1960, the very first benzodiazepine was approved in the U.S. 60 years later, they are still some of the most popular drugs on the planet. Join us as we explore the history of some of the world’s most fabled, and vilified drugs. In today’s episode, we look back at the past 60 years of benzodiazepines and hope that through knowledge we can finally learn from our past. We also have a benzo story from Florida, discuss the variations of mindful movement practices, and introduce a new section of the podcast. Video ID: BFP057 Listen on YouTube... The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on... Apple Podcasts / Audible / iHeart / PodBean / Spotify / Stitcher Chapters 00:57 Introduction 07:08 Mailbag 14:40 Benzo Story 20:02 Smile Story 28:40 FEATURE: History of Benzos 50:32 Moment of Peace Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. MAILBAG “Awareness Through Movement Classes.” - https://feldenkrais.com/awareness-movement-atm-classes/. “The difference between tai chi and qi gong.” - https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/the-difference-between-tai-chi-and-qi-gong. “What is Associative Awareness Technique?” - https://theptdoctor.com/what-is-associative-awareness-technique/. FEATURE: The Story of Benzos Agarwal, Sumit D. et al. “Patterns in Outpatient Benzodiazepine Prescribing in the United States.” JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(1). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.7399. Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual. Ashton, C. Heather. “The Bridge Project, Bradford: Speech by Professor C Heather Ashton, DM FRCP: Annual Meeting, December 2011.” Benzo.org.uk. Accessed January 27, 2017. https://www.benzo.org.uk/chabradford.htm. Bachhuber, Marcus A. et al..“Increasing Benzodiazepine Prescriptions and Overdose Mortality in the United States, 1996-2013.” American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) (April 2016). doi:10.2105/AJPH.2016.303061. Balestra, Katie. “Critics Cite Serious Side Effects of Benzodiazepine Antidepressants.” Washington Post. June 30, 2009. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/29/AR2009062903105.html. Byrne, A. “Benzodiazepines: The End of a Dream.” Australian Family Physician 23(8)(Aug 1994):1584-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7980158. Dokoupil, Tony. “America’s Long Love Affair with Anti-Anxiety Drugs.” Newsweek. January 21, 2009. http://www.newsweek.com/americas-long-love-affair-anti-anxiety-drugs-77967. Fisher, Lawrence M. “The Happiness Quest.” Korn Ferry Institute. August 11, 2014. https://www.kornferry.com/institute/happiness-quest. Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book. “Global General Anxiety Disorder Market Worth USD 3,775 Million and CAGR 2.4% by 2021.” Zion Market Research. November 18, 2016. http://www.medgadget.com/2016/11/global-general-anxiety-disorder-market-worth-usd-3775-million-and-cagr-2-4-by-2021.html. Grohol, John M. “Top 25 Psychiatric Medications for 2018.” Psych Central. Last updated December 15, 2019. ttps://psychcentral.com/blog/top-25-psychiatric-medications-for-2018/. Herper, Matthew. “America’s Most Popular Mind Medicines.” Forbes. September 17,2010. https://www.forbes.com/2010/09/16/prozac-xanax-valium-business-healthcare-psychiatric-drugs.html#23a0d1b92e05. Lader, Malcolm. “History of Benzodiazepine Dependence.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 8 (1991):53-59. Accessed March 1, 2017. doi:10.1016/0740-5472(91)90027-8. https://benzo.org.uk/amisc/lader.pdf. “Steep Climb In Benzodiazepine Prescribing By Primary Care Doctors.” NPR. January 25, 2019. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/25/688287824/steep-climb-in-benzodiazepine-prescribing-by-primary-care-doctors. Stossel, Scott. My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind. New York: Vintage Books, 2013. The Podcast The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata). WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx DISCLAIMER All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer. CREDITS Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio — https://www.storyblocks.com Benzo Free Theme — Title: “Walk in the Park” — Artist: Neil Cross PRODUCTION Easing Anxiety is produced by… Denim Mountain Press https://www.denimmountainpress.com ©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved