A New You: Life After Benzo Withdrawal (Presentation Recorded Live at Benzo Warrior)
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- So, you’ve withdrawn from benzodiazepines. You still have symptoms. You still have struggles. You still have life-altering changes. And you still ask yourself daily, when will I get back to normal? Well, maybe D can help.
In “A New You”, D E Foster discusses life after that last dose. He talks about BIND (benzo withdrawal), the healing journey, and shares his 10 tips for building a new life. He blends recent research with his own experiences and those of his friends at the Benzo Free Podcast. We hope you’ll check it out.
This event was recorded live on July 26, 2022, at a virtual event for Benzo Warrior.
Video ID: BWPres2022
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome
00:23 Overview
00:51 A Bit About Me
04:23 A Bit About BIND
11:58 The Healing Journey
15:22 10 Tips for Building a New Life
16:50 1) It’s Your Journey
18:49 2) Acceptance
21:02 3) Healing
23:44 4) Move Forward
25:56 5) Seek Support
28:00 6) Build a Better You
31:03 7) A Body and Mind in Motion
32:51 8) Balanced Boundaries
35:02 9) Let the Good Times Roll
38:45 10) Finding Meaning
39:19 Resources
RESOURCES
WHERE TO FIND ME
- Easing Anxiety (EA) - easinganxiety.com
- Benzodiazepine Action Work Group: benzoaction.org
OTHER LEAD BENZO ORGANIZATIONS
- The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices: benzoreform.org
- Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC): benzoinfo.com
- Benzo Warrior: benzowarrior.com
COACHING / THERAPY
- Jennifer Leigh, PsyD - benzowithdrawalhelp.com
- Baylissa Frederick, BMSc, MA - baylissafrederick.com
PEER SUPPORT
- Benzodiazepine Action Work Group - benzoaction.org
- Benzo Warrior: benzowarrior.com
PODCAST
- The Benzo Free Podcast - easinganxiety.com/podcast
REFERENCES
-The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices. Benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND). May 2022. benzoreform.org/bind.
- Ashton C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). Newcastle University 2002. www.benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual.
- Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC). Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms. Accessed 2018. www.benzoinfo.com/benzodiazep....
Blanco C, Han B, Jones CM, Johnson K, Compton WM. Prevalence and Correlates of Benzodiazepine Use, Misuse, and Use Disorders Among Adults in the United States. J Clin Psychiatry. 2018;79(6):18m12174. Published 2018 Oct 16. doi:10.4088/JCP.18m12174.
- Finlayson A, Macoubrie J, Huff C, Foster D, Martin P. Experiences with benzodiazepine use, tapering, and discontinuation: an Internet survey. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2022;2:1-10. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full....
- Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press; 2018. easinganxiety.com/book.
- Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth. On Death & Dying: What the Dying Have to Teach Doctors, Nurses, Clergy & Their Own Families. New York: Scribner; 1969.
- National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). Research suggests benzodiazepine use is high while use disorder rates are low. 2018. www.drugabuse.gov/news-events....
- Trickett, Shirley. Withdrawal from Benzodiazepines. Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners 33(254)(September 1983):608. Accessed April 17, 2018. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti....
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. Published September 23, 2020. www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety....
SITE LINKS
VISIT US ONLINE
- WEBSITE: www.easinganxiety.com
- CZcams: / @easinganx
SUPPORT US
- Make a Donation: www.easinganxiety.com/donate
DISCLAIMER
All content provided on this CZcams channel is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical or health advice. The author of the content provided on this channel is not engaged in rendering medical, health, psychological, or any other kind of personal or professional services. 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 www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Easing Anxiety is produced by…
Denim Mountain Press
www.denimmountainpress.com
A new you is right It took me 3 yrs to recover as a result of that situation i.lost.my home my wife my job and my sanity
But despite all that I told myself I will not allow this too be done in vain and look at me now in work construction and moved to Colorado springs doing what I love happy and healing from the truama of this journey I will be a success story IM TOO DETERMINED TO SUCCEED ! and now it a a reality WE DO RECOVER WE DO GET STRONGER YOU WILL HEAL STAY DETERMINED PEOPLE YOU WILL WIN 💪!!!
Hey Blew a Fuse, WOW! Loved your comment! Thank you! I can vouch for "Blew a Fuse." We've shared comments for almost two years now, and I know it was very rough for a long time. I am SO HAPPY to hear that type of a comment. You just made my day!!! Honest. Thank you and please, please do keep in touch and share your success story with us as it unfolds. Talk soon my friend, D :)
@@easinganx that's what I'm hear for D
Good.luck in your journey take care !
Real proud of you man.
@_blew_a fuse what symptoms did u have can I plz know 😢
This is the best info. I’ve seen. I’m 84. In BIND. Off klonopin 21 months. Physicians did not assist my taper. I found beating Benzos. I have not taken any other benzo the whole time. Never switched over to any other drug. Take no pain meds. It’s rough. My symptoms get worse midday and pretty bad before bed time. This is a routine. Bp goes very high during this pain. I do work around these symptoms. Dizziness and balance very bad. But I still planted flowers; vegetables, cooking healthy meals. I walk outside with my walker as much as I can. Sit in the sun for vd Yes sometimes I push myself even during pain. Yes meditate each day. I try to do a routine. I’m doing all the things you are saying to do. I also have done some sewing, crocheting. I feel I am accomplishing something I’m a very positive person. Never had depprecian
I also had Covid 5 days after taper. Never said a word about klonopin while in the hospital. I suffered a lot. But I’m still here
Thank you D for these videos. I look forward to the day that this is recognized as BIND in the medical community. I can no longer have this conversations with my doctor and family. I long for that day.
I hear what you say. This is very long and tiring process and I wish there was a better way. Hoping this term gets more widely accepted soon. We have some great people and organizations behind it a promoting it, so it's off to a great start. Best, D :)
Thank you D for the great presentation. I so appreciate your work to help all of the benzo harmed community. I was a 30 year user prescribed at age 29 after cancer/chemotherapy. Now at 60 and 1 year off a 7 1/2 month taper I’ve been off 1 year and as you can imagine still suffering intensely. Thank you for the tips and information.
Hi Susan, Thank for the feedback, I truly appreciate it. I'm so sorry to hear about your journey and your ongoing difficulties. I sure hope you start to find some relief soon. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Take care, D :)
How are we supposed to manage dpdr and hesd stuff with no feelings I czn barely do a thing at 23 months 😢
Fantastic. Thank you for this well informed, comprehensive, and practical presentation of BIND. I am still tapering, but still find this invaluable.
Hi Beverly, Thank you for your very kind comment. I'm glad you found the information useful. Please take care and keep in touch, D :)
This really helped since I'm someone wants it all. I'm a idealist and I want perfection and I push, push, push. Your advice to gear down is what I need to do. Be happy with the little things is a great idea. Thank you again so much. I want you to know that I talked to my aunt and she forgave me. Apparently I said really horrible things to her in acute withdrawl that I don't remember. I'm going to talk to at Christmas after she takes a little more time away from me. Also I talked Dr. Jenn. She said we heal.
Hey Greg, Me again. LOL. I think we're somewhat similar. I also seek perfection and that leads to problems far too often. So glad that you found forgiveness. That can be huge for any of us. We so often do things we don't mean during times like this, and sometimes we have to repair that damage as we start to heal. I so glad to hear that you two can rebuild your relationship again. And glad you've talked with Dr. Jenn. Take care, D :)
You are a very special soul. This presentation made me feel so much less alone. The way you have made so much meaning and have learned so much from this experience is profoundly inspiring. I sometimes feel like my life is over… or, rather, the life I had is over (and maybe one day that will actually be ok!). And yes, I think I am in all of those stages of grief (with resistance!), simultaneously. However, I am feeling that if I can make meaning out of my experience the way you have, then perhaps one day when I look back, I will have zero regrets, because I was broken down to the bare bones that I needed in order to truly transform and find meaning and purpose. Thank you for this and for all that you do. You are special.
Hi Erin, Thank you so much for your very kind words and your wonderful comment. I love your insight on this whole process and I know that mindset will guide you to better days. Please write anytime and I look forward to hearing more from you as you make progress. Take care, D :)
Thank you D!!!
Thanks Noir1900. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know. Please take care, D :)
Thank you so much D. I really appreciate it. You've got WISDOM. Benzo wisdom.
Hey Greg, Thanks for checking back in with me again. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the kind words. When you do something full-time for several years, I hope I would pick up a bit of knowledge along the way. Take care my friend, D :)
You’ve come along way in your confidence and ur tone, and message is very positive now. So glad you ended this with an up beat message.
Keep it up.
Thank you so much. I appreciate the feedback and I'm glad that you found my message positive. Take care and keep in touch, D :)
Hi D, I really enjoyed this video - so positive - you have put a lot of work into this. You look and sound great. I'm still tapering at a slow speed so I can live a good productive life at the same time. I have accepted the bad days and on my good days I have never felt better than when I started my benzo journey more than 40 years ago. Thanks for all your efforts to help us - you have made it so much easier for me☺️
Hi Lenore, How is my Danish friend? So good to hear from you. It's been a long while. I hope that means that you are doing better. Glad you are still taking it slow. It sounds like you have a great mindset and are working your way one step-at-a-time to the finish line. I hope to hear a success story from you when you get there. I'd love to read it and share it if you'd be okay with that. Please take care and keep in touch, D :)
Thank you for sharing this! ❤
Hi there, My apologies for the delay in responding to your comment. Some of the comments on CZcams got lost and I'm just now discovering them. Thanks for your comment and I'm glad you liked the presentation. Please take care and keep in touch, Best always, D :)
Thanks
Thank you, and take care. D :)
So-called "antidepressants" can be just as hard to come off as benzodiazepines. It is important to acknowledge this in order to avoid treating benzo withdrawal with AD drugs and vice versa. Thanks for the tips, D.
Thanks nokomis mn, Yes, SSRIs and SNRIs have their own set of complications when people try and discontinue. We keep searching for that one class of drugs that has zero complications, but it just doesn't seem to exist. Just because we focus on benzos here on this channel, doesn't mean we don't see the complications with the others. I was prescribed two different SSRIs during my withdrawal and discontinued both of them early on to avoid any additional complications. I just didn't want to have to withdraw from another drug once I withdrew from my benzo. Much like benzos, there are some people who can discontinue ADs without any problems. But also like benzos, there are others who have severe complications. Thanks again for the comment, D
Im 6 years in protracted antipsychotic withdrawal. Im making improvements since doing some changes with my diet and more light exercise. This video i feel like apply to all kinds of protracted psych med withdrawal. Thanks for making this video, all the best to people out in the world.
Thanks for the message. I'm sorry to hear about what you had to go through. Yes, I do think our message hear applies to other psych med withdrawal too. We focus primarily on benzos here on our channel, but that doesn't mean that other drugs have their own withdrawal nightmares - they do. As you well know. I just stick with what I know. If that can help others too, than that is great. Many of the listeners to the podcast are on multiple psych meds of which benzos is just one. Thanks for your comment and it's nice to meet you. Best, D :)
Thank you D for this video and all of your good work. I began tapering from Clonazepam beginning January 1, 2019 and discovered your book and your podcast soon after. You have been an incredible resource for me through this process. I took my last benzo on March 29, 2022 after being on them for 19 years. I am experiencing BIND and am coping with symptoms. It helps so much to have a name for what I continue to experience. One day, I’ll write more about my experience. I just want you to know how much your work means. I am also very interested in your ongoing peer support work. I would like to give back. Take good care. J
Wow, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback. I means more than you know. CONGRATS on being benzo-free. That is a huge accomplishment, and one that should not be taken lightly. I know you still have some symptoms, but it sounds like you are doing well and coping, and that is huge. And yes, the peer support course is going well. We teach our first pilot course this coming Monday and I'm really looking forward to it. Happy to share more about it any time. Best always, D :)
I sometimes think that these BIND symptoms are my bodies way of protecting me. But I could be wrong.
Actually, I think that could be helpful. My "healing" visualization is similar. I believe that if it work for you, stick with it. Take care, D :)
Thank you for your positive message. It gives us hope.
Thank you, I appreciate that. Please take care and keep in touch, D :)
This is so good, D! I'm trying to find that balance. My clutch just gets stuck at times. I really like the car analogy. 🙂
Hi Melanie, Great to hear from you again. I love your phrase "my clutch gets stuck at times." I do know that feeling. And thanks for the great feedback. Hope you are well, D :)
All you need to know is in this presentation. Great job D.
Hi Graham, Thank for the feedback. I'm glad you liked it. Always good to hear from you my friend. Talk soon, D :)
This was excellent and gave me lots of hope as someone 3 years post taper, with BIND.
It's awful. Just awful.
19 months and I'm finally getting into acceptance.
Hey Greg, That is great! I know it can take a long time to get there, but I believe fewer steps in withdrawal and BIND make a difference in the long run more than acceptance. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes, D :)
God work 🙏🏽
I got very sick from this immediately. Within less than 2 weeks.
So sorry to hear that. For some, it can happen that quickly. Please take it easy and take care of yourself, D :)
It is just 2 days back I found your videos on benzo withdrawal, really very helpful and informative. I couldn't get this useful information when I went through this hell.
I am tapering xanax( prescribed 18 months ago after my nervous system got sensitized after a covid booster) 0.5 mg from the last 5 months after I went into horrible withdrawal due to change in manufacturer of the pill. And i couldn't stabilize so i thought it's better to come off. now in the last week to finish, but I am experiencing many mental and physical symptoms, the severity of the symptoms has increased much more, is this ok at the end when we about to finish and the doses are so low?
An episode of unreality also comes frequently, which is very much disturbing. It is a feeling like nothing is real, and i dont know where i am. Is it also a withdrawal symptom?
Do the symptoms will fade away after I finish and stop?
Please help as I am so alone in this brutal phase and no one wants to listen or believe.
Now 3 years heavy shaking legs and cramping feet. Akathisia Benzo belly etcetera. 😢
Hi D,
Thank you so much! How do I find the peer support training program? Thank you...
Hi Cheryl, Always great to hear from you. The Peer Support Training program is still in development so it is not released to the public yet. Our Colorado pilot course will be this October or November then with a nationwide release in 2023. Feel free to visit our work group page (benzoaction.org) for more info or even join one of our meetings if you like. Talk soon, D :)
@@easinganx thank you so much and a pleasure as always!!!!
Can brain lock be a symptom from benzo and tapering? Like your brain doesn't function normally. It causes me to be isolated because I just tell my hell all the time to my loved ones. Am in constant panic. Year ago brain lock went away when doctor did crossover from oxazepam to diazepam and brain lock reliefed and I could function normally few weeks. But taper was too quick and went badly wrong. Now I'm prescriped klonopin and said to my doctor that I think I suffer withdrawl even don't taper and want to taper with Ashton manual and she was willing to read it and we started week ago. Am in that same constant panic like year ago when I was in bad withdrawl symptons of oxazepam. I need hope, have anyone suffers brain function problems. I was prescriped a big amount of oxazepam and doctor didn't warn me after my dog had to put to sleep at the age of 16. This was 2021 summer and I became to suffer brain lock. Have lived healthy and good life before this hell.
Please help. I have kind doctor.
Hi again. I just replied to you comment on the "My Benzo Story" thread. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you on these. I'm glad you have the Ashton Manual, still one of the best resources we have. I'm sorry that hope is such a struggle. It is for most of us, but the thing to keep in mind is that we do heal. It can take time, but we do heal. My brain dysfunction is significantly improved from where I was a few years ago. I comes back, but with some of us it takes longer for that to happen. Sorry again to hear about your dog. My buddy, Bear, was by my side during the most difficult days of my withdrawal. We had to say goodbye to him last year and it is still hard, so I do understand. Please hang in there and keep reaching out. We are here to help and together, we will get through this. Best, D :)
Thankx D for this fantastic podcast
I listen Every day !!
And put hope Out of this
It is such a long road to go
I hope so that we all heal, somrtimes i am so desperate
Big big hugs from the Netherlands
Hey Marjorie, Always good to hear from you. I love all of the listeners equally, honest, but when I hear from individuals outside the U.S. it is a special treat. I learn so much from my friends around the globe. I'm glad you liked the presentation. I'm hoping to do more soon. I am so sorry this has been such a struggle for you, but yes, I truly believe we do heal. Please take care and keep in touch, D :)
@@easinganx thank you D for your answer!
I appreciate this so much!
Hug from the Netherlands
Need CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS !!!!! what politicians Congressman / Senators do you have any on board with your organization ? D I LIVE IN CT how can I help ?
Hey Gary, I support they work the Colorado Consortium does to help get legislation in our state for benzodiazepines. We've had some success and will seek more. I can't say I know the congress people myself or can list any off the top of my head. Legislation is not my focus. I just speak as a witness at the hearings when they need me. Still, you can start by writing your own congress rep. Also, if you want to get involved email me and I can put you in touch with Sonja Styblo from MA. She knows this stuff far more than I do. Take care, D :)
@@easinganx hey D just saw this.....I have talked to Senators and a congressman...sadly they tell me there is no pressure or have they seen " facts" to support any reform. P.s. I use to work for Congress etc...
D......you do great great work was emailing Geraldine Burns and she to is so frustrated thst basicly s HUGE % of docs have no clue, or care to listen yo us.in fact I recently had a Dr tell me yes he knew of Ashton but had no interest in changing. SADLYi run into this way to much
Hi Gary, I so wish the story was different, but it's not. We are making a difference, but it is a slow one. I understand a doctor not knowing the realities of benzos, but when the refuse to listen to us, that is truly frustrating. I still run into this myself and I wish things were different. D
@Easing Anxiety D, more I think about it does 8t really matter what we call it There is nothing they can do about it
When is the next one coming?
Hi Greg, Great to hear from you again as always. Good timing. I just sent out an email to our mailing list yesterday speaking about that very topic. easinganxiety.com/blog/easing-anxiety-update-covid-benzos-and-podcast-delays/ I've had some health issues lately that have delayed my work lately. Here is the link for more details if you are interested. Thanks for following up and I hope to have a new podcast out on Feb. 1st. Take care my friend, D :)
Amazing story D amazing !!!! Fyi,, Angie Peacock great coach, she big part
Hey Gary, Thanks. I haven't spoke with Angie in while, hope she is doing well. Talk soon, D:)
@Easing Anxiety I talk to Angie 1-2x a week..she is a awsome coach and better person . PERSONALLY I have delt with a few coaches, I have found her to be the best for me...
If symptoms are healing and stress makes the symptoms worse why wouldn't more stress make you heal faster?
Hi Greg, Good point. I'm not sure, but I can see you've spent some time thinking about it. I guess it is a possibility, but since it would increase symptom severity few would choose it since they are struggling with the symptoms as they are. Interesting. Best, D :)
ABIND is better! Antidepressant and Benzo induced neurological dysfunction 👏❤️
Thanks for the suggestion, and I understand your point. Still, we're going to stick with BIND for now. I realize that ADs have their own complications, and we definitely need more research and support in that area. Absolutely. It's just not my focus, or the focus of our research team. There are many people researching the AD issues, in fact more than benzos in many areas since they are prescribed more often. IMO, combining them only dilutes the message for both of them. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines (and Z-drugs) is different than antidepressants, and the literatures supports that. There are only two drugs that can kill you when withdrawn cold turkey, alcohol and benzodiazepines. Benzos act more like alcohol than ADs, so if we were going to combine them with any drug it would probably be alcohol. Please know, I am not at all trying to diminish the cause for awareness around antidepressant long-term effects. I know they are real and I would never suggest otherwise. It's just not my expertise, nor that of this site. There are many sites that cover ADs and other psych drug overprescribing, and I'm glad they are there to help. Take care and thanks so much for the comment, D :)
@@easinganx thank you for you’re answer. Baylissa uses the ABIND word already. But I understand what you are saying. It’s just that we are so so ill too in protracted.
Continue you’re good work. Thanks❤️
Thanks Lonnie. That of course is Baylissa' s choice. I'm just afraid that it adds confusion to an already distressed population, as you mentioned. I don't know the background of "ABIND" or the scientific literature behind it. If you have the studies, please send them to me. BIND was determined by a team of 23 medical and lived-experience professionals after long deliberation, and has been published in a peer-reviewed journal establishing it within medical literature. I welcome a similar term specifically for ADs, but I haven't seen one yet. BIND is a term specifically designed for benzodiazepines, and using that term for other classes of drugs is honestly, inaccurate. Each class has it's own mechanisms, characteristics, and complications, and I'm afraid this only makes things more confusing. Sorry to be so direct with my reply, but I'm afraid this is not helpful to those that are suffering. We need more clarity, not confusion. Best always, D
@@easinganx I am so sorry to bother you. It is not my intention to give you my opinion on the BIND name. I think it is wonderful that it’s given so much attention ( finally) about those horrible drugs.
I am from Europe. 46 months of off Antidepressant still in windows and waves and healing. But what an ordeal. I am a nurse. Knew a lot about tapering etc. But never knew about protracted. I lost my job and a lot more. Had same symptoms as Benzo withdrawal So definitely neurological injury. Brain going back to homeostasis etc. Meet so many people online going through te same. I understand you and it is okay. Thanks for everything! ❤️
HI Lonnie, You're not bothering me at all. I welcome the discussion. Thank you. My apologies too. The last thing I wanted to do was to diminish the struggles that people on ADs go through. I've heard many of them, but since my drug was benzos and that is the focus of my channel, I just hadn't spent a lot of time looking into them. I am so sorry for what you are going through. All drugs have side effects, and many (including ADs) can have long-term consequences. We need more research, good research, research that looks at long-term effects for all the psych drugs. I was on two separate SSRIs during my taper for benzos, but only for a short time each. The fact that I didn't want to stay on them tells you my concerns of what they might do to me in the long-run. Please take care and keep in touch, D :)
Shit is pure evil.