The Purpose of This Site: Is to warn people about benzodiazepines. They can be very damaging to your health if taken over a period of longer than a few weeks.

Although Benzodiazepine withdrawal is not completely understood at this time, it is thought that taking Benzodiazepines can create a physical dependency. Many people who take them for more than a few weeks develop withdrawal problems when they stop, which for some, can be severe.

I am not against Benzodiazepines. I know they can really help people when given for a short time. I know that so many people suffer from extreme anxiety and panic attacks and are desperate for help. But Benzos can be dangerous for many people when taken over a period of any longer than a few weeks. They can make you far more ill than you were before you started taking them.

What happens when you go to see a doctor about this.
In some cases, they are not informed about Benzodiazepine withdrawal. Even if they do have some knowledge of the problems withdrawing can bring, they do not thoroughly understand it.
Fifteen years ago when I stopped taking Valium very few people were aware that there was a prolonged problem with withdrawal in some people. Now however, more professionals are accepting that it is real. But be careful, there are professionals out there who will not understand. Therefore, you should be very skeptical when trying to find help for this.

What can you do if you have been on a Benzodiazepine for a few months or a few years, and want or need to stop them?
Most importantly, never stop taking your pills abruptly. This can cause seizures.
You need guidance and help to get through stopping the pills.
You should never try to stop taking a Benzodiazepine without the help of a doctor who understands Benzodiazepine withdrawal. You need to look very carefully for the right professional to help you. Also, very importantly, you need enough information so that you will be informed when you go to see a doctor. That way you will be prepared to choose the right one and also able to help yourself in the ways that you need.
Where can you find guidance and help? Here are some links to places on the web where you can get good information about this. There's not a lot out there...but the resources are growing.

A booklet on how to withdraw from Benzos:
A 47-page booklet, Benzodiazepines, How They Work and How to Withdraw, was released at the beginning of 2000. Originally intended to be a three-chapter excerpt from the forthcoming book Minor Tranquilizers, Major Problems: An International Effort to Tell the Truth About Tranquilizers and Sleeping Pills by Geraldine Burns, this booklet has been successful and is now available free online at the above link. The booklet is authored by Professor Heather Ashton, a professor from The School of Neuroscience, Newcastle upon Tyne, who worked for many years with people withdrawing from Benzodiazepines. An extremely valuable source of information for both you and your doctor. Available both online, and in print.

NEW! List of Benzo Wise Doctors and Therapists:
A new list of Benzo knowledgeable professionals, small but growing.

Extensive Information about Benzo Withdrawal:
Visit here for the most extensive overview of information about Benzos and their withdrawal, an excellent resource with hundreds of pages of references. Also here you will find the FAQ, and links to purchase Ms. Ashton's booklet.

Links to Web Sites and Other Helpful Information:
Visit my page of web sites and other resources that have reliable information about Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome.

Email me: Betty Foote

BACK TO TOP

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed mental health professional. The information presented at this site has been gathered through personal interviews and research, and is presented in order to help you make informed choices about your treatment. Never attempt to adjust your drug dosage in any way without the assistance of a qualified mental health professional. I take no responsibility for the individual choices made by people taking psychotropic drugs.
Copyright 2008 Elizabeth Foote, all rights reserved