Episodes

What do we call this condition so many of us have been dealing with for so long? Benzo withdrawal? Protracted Withdrawal? Persistent Benzo Withdrawal? Benzo Toxicity? Benzo Brain Injury? Or something completely different? In today’s episode of the podcast, we introduce a new term to many of you — Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND). We look at what it means, where it came from, and why we believe it’s important. We also answer a couple of questions and share a benzo story. Ho...

What is mindset, and why is it so important in benzo withdrawal? Are setbacks common, and how do you work through them? Are benzos too limited now? Is it okay to wait to withdraw? Is this permanent? These questions and so much more. In today’s episode, I dive into our mailbag again and listen to you. Your questions. Your comments. Your stories. You are the heart of this podcast, and these are my favorite episodes. I also share progress in the benzo community and my personal struggles with stres...

Dr. Alexis Ritvo is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is also Medical Director for the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices and Co-Chair for the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group. In Part II of our conversation with Dr. Ritvo, we dive into the world of the benzo experience that so many of us face as patients. We discuss how to find a doctor, the return of emotions, finding confidence and a st...

Dr. Alexis Ritvo is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is also Medical Director for the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices and Co-Chair for the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group. In Part I of our conversation with Dr. Ritvo, we dive into the world of benzo advocacy and outreach. We discuss ongoing work in the benzo community including guidance documentation, prescriber education, peer suppor...

Do have questions about benzos? About your symptoms? About finding a doctor to help you survive this thing we call benzo withdrawal? Questions plague the benzo experience, and some questions are more common than others. In today’s podcast, we look at the top five most frequently asked questions about benzos and benzo withdrawal. We also talk about plans for the new year, find some positivity amongst the difficulties, and close out with the return of our Moment of Peace. I hope you’ll join us. ...

The holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice! If you can’t make it, or if you prefer to listen to the recorded audio version on one of our podcast carriers, you can do so starting Friday. I hope you will join us, and Happy Holidays to everyone!!! https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/holiday-podcast-live-bfp094 Video ID: BFP094 Cha...

The holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice! If you can’t make it, or if you prefer to listen to the recorded audio version on one of our podcast carriers, you can do so starting Friday. I hope you will join us, and Happy Holidays to everyone!!! https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/holiday-podcast-live-bfp093 Video ID: BFP093 The...

Far too often, we think we are all alone during benzo withdrawal and that no one understands what we are going through. But we’re not alone. The benzo community is active, thriving, and full of people just like you. And we’re making a difference. In today’s episode of the podcast, we share some of the progress being made, visit a few of the key organizations behind this progress, and share some of their plans for the future. There’s so much to be done, but we have a great start, and the future ...

What is it like living in protracted withdrawal, seven years out? What are the joys? What are the pains? What are the triggers? What thoughts ruminate in the mind? Join your host as we pull back the curtain and visit a day in the life. For today’s podcast, I carried the recorder around with me all day so I could share the good, the bad, the fun, the mundane, the contemplations and struggles of living life in protracted benzo withdrawal. We touch on a wide variety of subjects and close out with ...

Are setbacks common in benzo withdrawal? What causes them? How long do they last? And how do you deal with them? Benzo withdrawal can be a crazy, confusing roller coaster ride, and sometimes you need a guide map to find your way. In today’s episode, we explore the setbacks many of us face in benzo withdrawal. We look at some of the causes, identify seven common triggers, and share a couple of methods for managing them. I hope you find it helpful. https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/surviving-se...

Looking to make the best of benzo withdrawal? Want others to understand the severity some of us face? Trying to find calm within it all? Facing emotions and intimacy for the first time in years? This one has a little bit of everything. We recorded today’s episode live! No script. No editing. No plan, really. Just D talking about benzos, withdrawal, and the struggles so many of us face. We also share a few comments from our YouTube channel and catch up with recent benzo and weather events. It’s ...

Dr. Colin Bradley is a physician, professor, and a 2017 Fulbright Scholar. He has studied the opioid and benzodiazepine crises in both the U.S. and Ireland; and was appointed as an advisor to the Irish government on benzodiazepines. In Part II of our conversation, Dr. Bradley shares insights on tapering protocols and timing, discusses the ‘pill for every ill’ culture, and explores methods of easing the burden of withdrawal through counseling and tool development. His messages to both physicians...

Dr. Colin Bradley is a physician, professor, and a 2017 Fulbright Scholar. He has studied the opioid and benzodiazepine crises in both the U.S. and Ireland; and was appointed as an advisor to the Irish government on benzodiazepines. In Part I of our conversation, we compare the benzo situation in Ireland and the U.S., explore the effects of limitations and litigation on prescribing, investigate street use in urban populations, and share our concern for prescribed use among the elderly among oth...

Do you have questions about benzos? About withdrawal? About how fast you should taper? Or if your exercise is making things worse? Wonder if you can sue? Or do you just want some tips on managing your fear? Either way, this is the episode for you. In today’s episode, we open our mailbag for questions, comments, and feedback from you the listener. You are the heart of this podcast, and our best episodes are the ones where I can share your concerns and insights. I also share some successes and st...

How much do you know about benzos? About withdrawal? About anxiety and insomnia? Want to test that knowledge? Well, this is the place. It’s time to lighten the mood a bit and have some fun. Welcome to our first-ever Benzo Trivia episode. In today’s episode of the podcast, we ask the questions, and you provide the answers. I provide a series of questions in five separate categories related to benzos, allow you time to answer, and then provide the answers with a little background on each. I hope ...

When the dark clouds of benzo withdrawal engulf you, how do you respond? Do you lock the door? Curse the world around you? Protect yourself and hide from life? Or is there another choice? One that takes time but may lead down a better path. In today’s podcast, I am back on the road again and on my favorite trail during a downpour. I used this experience as a metaphor for the choices we make during benzo withdrawal. Join me as we talk about facing our fears, discuss getting through each day, and...

Once we withdraw from benzodiazepines, then what? What are we left with? What are the triumphs and what are the pitfalls? How do we handle the new challenges life throws at us? Where do we go from here? In todays’ podcast, I share another road trip recording from a wooded trail in Kansas. We explore the complexities of life after withdrawal, talk a bit about W-BAD, and by request, I disclose the details of the situation with my folks, as requested. I hope you enjoy it. https://www.easinganxiet...

Should I withdraw from benzodiazepines? Are there always complications from long-term use? Does everyone fully heal? Do others overreact, or become overly emotional during withdrawal? Is this withdrawal, or is it a brain injury? In today’s episode of the podcast, we return to the mailbag and share a variety of questions and comments from our YouTube Channel. We also discuss the recent hiatus from podcast releases and share some concerns about the severity of this experience. I hope you will joi...

How long does withdrawal last? Will I ever be normal again? Will I ever recover fully? These are questions so many of us have asked about benzo withdrawal time and time again. In today’s episode of the podcast, I share some thoughts from the road on my own protracted withdrawal and the recent progress I have noted. I hope you enjoy it. https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/on-the-road-again-progress-in-protracted-withdrawal-bfp081 Video ID: BFP081 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:19 Progress in Pr...

Is COVID more dangerous if you are on benzos? What if you are in withdrawal? What about the vaccine? Will it elevate my symptoms? In today’s episode, we explore some questions about COVID, listen to a hopeful story from New England, and discuss prescribing practices for long-term use. Please join us for our weekly discussion of all things benzo. https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/covid-and-benzos-immunity-vaccines-symptoms-bfp080 Video ID: BFP080 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 10:40 Benzo Story ...

Is it safe to drive while taking benzodiazepines? Is it legal? Can benzos impair one’s ability to drive a motor vehicle? If so, which type of benzo has the greatest effect? We will provide some research, stories, and a few answers. In today’s episode, we look at driving and benzodiazepine use. We also hear a benzo story of success, talk about benzo belly and stomach distension, learn about a few upcoming events, and close out with our moment of peace. I hope you will join us. https://www.easin...

Benzo withdrawal creates far more questions than answers, and today we address a few of them. We look at the loss of self-confidence withdrawal, deciding how long to pause during our taper, TMJ and muscle tension, and a few other topics. We also share some news of upcoming events. I hope you enjoy it. https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/our-mailbag-tapering-tmj-and-trusting-yourself-bfp078 Video ID: BFP078 Chapters 00:00 Introduction 07:45 Benzo News 10:36 Mailbag 25:04 Moment of Peace Reso...

What’s been going on in the benzo community lately? Any progress on awareness, education, legislation, support? Any upcoming events? Any benzo stories to share? Anything new with the podcast? Tune in to find out. In today’s episode, we share benzo stories from Oregon and Nigeria, we learn about some exciting upcoming events, and we look behind the scenes of the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group and share a story of success. We also announce the podcast’s return to a weekly schedule, so keep an e...

Anxiety. Benzos. Symptoms. Withdrawal. Overwhelm. Family drama. Wooded trails. Sleepless nights in cheap motels. Long walks and deep thoughts. What do all these things have in common? If you are thinking a recent road trip — you’d be right. In today’s episode of the podcast, I share a variety of recordings from a January trip to Kansas City. We explore movie quotes and doctor’s notes, F5 tornadoes and emotional volcanoes, tinnitus, tensions, tremors and transgressions, and even a little bit of ...