Episodes

I'm 11 years benzo-free, yet I still get waves on occasion. BIND is a roller coaster ride, and devilishly unpredictable. In today's podcast, I discuss my recent battles with BIND and how I find hope during the darker days. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 It's Been A While 0:02:06 Our Uneven Life Community 0:06:00 Tinnitus Kicks In / My Wave 0:06:49 Update on Podcasts 0:08:30 Podcasts Fell to Back Burner 0:09:41 I'm Sorry You Have to Go Through This 0:11:41 I Still Get Setbacks & Waves 0:14:33 Lunch, F...

Discover five essential elements for successfully managing BIND (Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction). Join us in today's episode as D explores key findings and practical insights to support your healing journey. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:31 The Uneven Community (uneven.life) 0:03:54 Visit Us on Social Media (@theUnevenLife) 0:05:16 Guided Meditations Coming Soon 0:05:39 The Benzo Free Podcast LIVE @ Uneven 0:09:21 Benzo Info / Everyone Is Different 0:13:18 Confusion...

What really is tolerance? How does it differ from withdrawal? From BIND? When does one start and the other finish? Today, we clear up some confusion around benzo terminology and timing. We also examine the recent uptick of fatigue and pain. Join us. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Getting Everything Ready 0:00:42 Welcome / Catching Up 0:03:14 The Uneven Community (uneven.life) 0:08:02 ASAM Benzo Guidelines 0:10:36 Learning from Working with You 0:11:22 Benzo Community as a Model for Others 0:13:18 Our ...

The new ASAM Benzo Guideline is finally here! Join panel member, D E Foster, as he takes us on an unfiltered tour of "The Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering," sharing his thoughts and experiences along the way. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Welcome 0:02:31 My Involvement / Disclaimer 0:04:00 The Uneven Life (uneven.life) 0:06:52 ASAM Guideline (unscripted review) 0:08:51 Introduction to the ASAM Guideline 0:14:13 Patients with Lived Experience Panel (PWLE) 0:17:42 Physical D...

Alexis Ritvo MD, MPH is a board-certified psychiatrist at the University of Colorado School Medicine, co-founder of the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group, and lead author on the research study that introduced BIND. Join us for this illuminating conversation. Part 2 of this discussion was released on our sister podcast, "uneven." Listen to it here: https://uneven.podbean.com/e/a-psychiatrists-perspective-w-dr-alexis-ritvo-part-2-of-2-uneven-70/ CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Introduction 0:03:26 Dr. Ritvo'...

Jacob Ressler is a licensed social worker, head moderator for the benzorecovery community on Reddit, and author of the book and founder of the support site, "Life Beyond Benzos." This is a great discussion. Join us. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:15 About the Chair 0:01:56 Theater Background 0:04:00 Jake's Benzo Story 0:10:10 Jake's Book: "Life Beyond Benzos" 0:16:45 Working in the Support Groups 0:19:51 Reddit Subgroup 0:29:01 Open Expression vs. Censorship in Support 0:30:19 Ther...

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring is a psychiatrist who has worked at the FDA, numerous pharmaceutical companies, and now operates a virtual taper clinic helping indivdiuals deal with adverse reactions to psychiatric drugs. Our conversation addresses psychiatric drug issues, benzos, antidepressants, tapering, finding hope, dietary interventions, protracted withdrawal (BIND), ASAM Guidelines, and so much more. This is one you don't want to miss! CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:53 Bio for Dr. Josef Wi...

Today I recorded our first live podcast from our new online community, "uneven." We explored the dependence vs. addiction (SUD) debate, discussed the sensitivities to stimuli many of us face, and took a brief tour of our new site. I hope you'll join us. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Welcome 0:00:55 Recording Video / New Software 0:02:36 Launch of the uneven community 0:08:13 A Brief Studio Tour 0:09:23 About the Podcast 0:11:41 Helping Someone Log Into the Live Stream 0:13:22 One More Thing on uneven...

We finally launched our new "uneven" community, and we hope you will check it out today for FREE. In today's episode, we catch up a bit on benzo symptoms and share some details of our new community. Join us at "uneven.life" and I'll see you there. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 We finally did it… 0:00:32 Try and Keep this Brief 0:01:06 We are Benzo People 0:01:46 My BIND Update 0:03:18 Recent Success Stories 0:04:01 Where Are You at Now? 0:05:00 About Our New Community 0:06:18 What if You Had One Pla...

When benzo symptoms hit us, we call it a "wave." When they ease, we call it a "window." But how do we trust a window after a rough wave? Join me as we explore the benefits of pastimes, passions, and positivity as they relate to benzos and BIND. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Welcome 0:00:38 Been Away for a While 0:01:46 I’m Doing Better 0:02:37 It's Sunday, Football Day 0:03:31 Bing Part of a Sport or Pastime 0:09:48 How Things Are Here 0:12:25 Nerve Pain Update 0:14:40 Trusting Our Windows 0:15:53 ...

Today, I am 10 years benzo free! Wow! Let's take a look back at the struggles, the symptoms, the successes, and especially the stuff I learned along the way. NOTE: This episode reviews 10 years of benzos & BIND which may be distressing to some. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 i'm now 10 years benzo free 0:02:23 my benzo story: taper 0:04:44 my benzo story: first few years 0:05:49 my benzo story: community work 0:07:43 my benzo story: research 0:09:51 my benzo story: ea, uneven, & community 0:11:37 i've...

It's been a while, let's catch up. In today's episode, we discuss managing stress in the modern world, finding new perspectives on our symptoms, recent and future benzodiazepine research, the upcoming ea community, and more. I hope you'll join us. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 10th attempt recording 0:01:15 my recent absence 0:02:13 funeral and memorial 0:02:55 ongoing nerve pain 0:03:45 fire, smoke, and recording 0:04:48 changing my perspective 0:07:40 upcoming 10th anniversary 0:08:41 where to fin...

If processing new benzo symptoms is confusing, overwhelming, and furstrating — you're not alone. Today, we look at new symptoms, talk a bit about loneliness, and explore recent feedback on the podcast and BIND. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Nerve pain, stress, and loneliness 0:02:06 Three topics for today's episode 0:02:48 1) Loneliness in BIND 0:06:49 2) Processing new symptoms 0:08:06 Obsessing, looping, and ruminating 0:11:56 Not everything is a benzo symptom 0:14:56 Conflicting advice and solutio...

Confusion. Lack of support. The Search for Solid Information. Ongoing symptoms. New symptoms. The problems tied with benzo withdrawal and BIND seem endless sometimes. Today, I share some of my experiences and talk through the struggles we all face. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Welcome Back 0:00:36 Frustration with Medical Community 0:01:38 BIND Makes Life Harder 0:02:30 My New Nerve Pain 0:03:45 COVID, BIND, and New Symptoms 0:05:11 The Cyclic Search for Symptom Cause 0:06:04 Murphy Break / uneven p...

What's new at Benzo Free? What's new in the benzo community? And what's new in research, training, and support? In today's episode, the Benzo Free Podcast returns with a new format and a revitalized outlook for the future. I hope you'll join us. CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Our New Format 0:01:34 Setbacks & Honesty 0:05:29 Happy to Be Back 0:06:25 the "uneven" podcast 0:10:47 Podcast Frequency 0:11:59 Community Updates 0:12:38 Raw, Unscripted, & Flawed 0:13:28 How Are You Doing? 0:16:11 Benzo Peer...

Dr. Christy Huff was a friend, a colleague, and giant in the benzo community. What effect does this loss have on our community? On our colleagues? On ourselves? How do we process this event and continue to move forward? In today’s episode, we first pay tribute to Dr. Christy Huff and discuss what her passing means to each of us. We then catch up the past few months, share some personal insights, discuss community news, and even introduce a brand-new podcast — “uneven.” Video ID: BFP130 CHAPTE...

A benzo peer support training class can be quite educational — especially for the instructor. In early November, I had the pleasure of teaching a sold-out course to individuals with a wide mix of backgrounds. It was quite illuminating. In today’s episode, I share some insights from teaching peer support training. I also discuss my response to some constructive criticism, look at our focus here at Easing Anxiety, and wish everyone a very happy holiday season. Video ID: BFP129 CHAPTERS 00:00 I...

Meet Dr. Doryn Chervin. Hear her benzo story. Her background in public health. Her take on benzos, BIND, setbacks, research, doctors, healing, the benzo community, and what has been going on behind the scenes at Easing Anxiety. Doryn Chervin holds a doctorate in public health and spent 40 years as a public health program strategist and evaluator. She is also on the board at the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices. Doryn took clonazepam for over 25 years, is now benzo-free, and works tire...

It’s 3:00am. Sleep is elusive. Collective thoughts converge on the manic mind. So, why not record a podcast? Join D as he ponders benzos and BIND, fatigue and fear, motivation, meditation, gratitude, and grace. All from the comfort of his own bed. Video ID: BFP127 CHAPTERS 0:00:00 It’s 3:14 am 0:02:21 Struggling Lately 0:05:30 Podcast Delays 0:07:08 Benzo Peer Training 0:07:51 Overwhelm & Fatigue 0:09:02 New Content Coming… 0:10:35 Coping with Insomnia 0:13:38 Missed Y’all 0:14:34 Rum...

Benzos and grief, diet, and distension. Benzos and pets, laughter, and levity. Benzos and indecision and lack of memory. Benzos and research, internet, and advocacy. So many topics, so much to discuss. In today’s episode, we dive into our mailbag again to hear from you. D shares some comments, answers some questions, and even reads some critical feedback. Join us for a few insights and friendly discussion. Video ID: BFP126 CHAPTERS 00:00 INTRODUCTION 02:25 The Gift of Caregiving 04:13 Our ...

What’s new at Easing Anxiety? What’s new in the benzo community? What’s new in the world of BIND? And what should someone new to benzos do if they’re just getting started? Join D for an off-script conversation this lazy Sunday morning. In today’s episode, D records the podcast live on his back patio enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. He discusses the EA Community, a new team member, lingering symptoms, coaching, training, surviving, and a few tips for those just getting started. Video I...

Join the Benzodiazepine Survey Research Team for a lively roundtable discussion about their research, the findings from the survey, and their latest paper which formally introduces the term benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction, or BIND. Benzodiazepine use and discontinuation are associated with nervous system injury and negative life effects that continue after discontinuation, according to the article “Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A surv...

Naftal Benisty is the creator and host of the podcast, “Benzo Tired.” A social worker by trade, Naftal’s personal experience with kindling, seizures, and multiple prescriptions for benzodiazepines steered him into the world of benzo advocacy. In our conversation, Naftal shares his benzo story and the reasons he decided to start a podcast. We also talk about seizures, the indefinite hold, BIND, deprescribing guidelines, medical education, remaining positive, and so much more. Video ID: BFP123 ...

Personality changes. Loss of ability. Loss of confidence. Loss of self. These are common in benzo withdrawal and BIND, and yet we rarely talk about them. What does this look like? What are its causes? And most of all, what can we do about it? In today’s episode, we explore the loss of self during benzo withdrawal. We also respond to a question on tinnitus, share a comment on the benefits of nature, and hear a benzo story from New Zealand. https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/who-am-i-now-confide...