Today, July 11th, is World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day
This date was designated in recognition of Prof. Heather Ashton’s significant contributions to the benzodiazepine cause over so many decades; together with all of the help she has given to so many people around the world.
In honor of World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day, also called W-BAD I’ve decided to re-release a webinar I did last year: Say NO to Benzodiazepines for anxiety [CLICK THIS LINK TO FIND THE WEBINAR]
Here is an excerpt of the overview from: Say NO to benzodiazepines for anxiety!
Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs that work by enhancing the effect of the calming neurotransmitter GABA, and are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, pain, muscle spasms and a range of other conditions. They are widely prescribed, particularly among elderly patients and may even be used off-label with children with autism.
Use of this medication is very controversial. We know long term use leads to tolerance, dependence, and many adverse psychological effects and even physical effects. Short term use is generally considered safe but even using them for 2 – 4 weeks can lead to problems for certain individuals.
This presentation provides an overview of benzodiazepines; when they are used; who they are prescribed to; details about tolerance, dependence, and the many adverse effects; how to taper, including nutritional support during the taper; what to do instead of saying yes to a benzodiazepine prescription in the first place; and additional resources.
Here is one of the benzo stories I share in the webinar:
We know that some individuals are much more affected than others when it comes to tolerance and withdrawal. Here are some other possible factors that may affect tolerance and withdrawal:
During season 4 of the Anxiety Summit, Lisa Bloomquist talked about Antibiotic Induced Anxiety – How Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Induce Psychiatric Illness Symptoms. During this interview she shared how:
People who have gone through benzodiazepine withdrawal before should never take a fluoroquinolone because essentially it can throw people right back into the benzo withdrawal – because it has very similar effects on people’s GABA’s receptors as what happens when people go through benzodiazepine withdrawal.
I would love to see a survey of people who have experienced adverse effects when using benzodiazepines as prescribed or when tapering. Could these be some of the contributing factors?
- Taking Valium/ diazepam and have the CYP2C19 polymorphism (about 10-20% of Western populations are defective in genes of the CYP liver enzyme superfamily)
- Taking Xanax/ alprazolam and have CYP3A5 polymorphism (about 10-20% of Western populations are defective in genes of the CYP liver enzyme superfamily)
- Taking any benzodiazepine and also
- Taking oral contraceptives
- Taking a course of antibiotics
- Taking a course of one of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics
- On an SSRI prescription
- Taking a course of antifungal medications
- Drinking alcohol on a regular basis
- On an opioid such as oxycodone
- Drinking grapefruit juice on a regular basis
For withdrawal/tapering, the best resource I know of is Benzo.org.uk which contains the Ashton Manual. You will need to educate yourself and your doctor and/or find a doctor willing to help you with the adjusted prescription. It does need to be done very very very slowly.
Finding a good support group like Benzobuddies.org is very helpful for many of my clients. Just be aware that this group and some of the other support groups say no to any supplements during the taper process. I find it to be very individualized and have many clients that see great benefit by using GABA, tryptophan, zinc, magnesium and other nutrients. (You can read more about this here: Anxiety and the amino acids overview)
That being said some people tapering can only tolerate very low amounts of the amino acids (like a dab or pinch from a capsule) and some can’t tolerate any supplements and do better with essential oils, yoga, light therapy and dietary changes.
You can find more information on World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day on Benzo Case: Raising Awareness about Benzodiazepine Drugs (widely prescribed for anxiety, stress, sleep, pain and much more…) and additional stories on the World Benzo Awareness facebook page.
World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day was conceived by the acting Chair Barry Halsam, former Chair of Oldham TRANX, and jointly organized by Wayne Douglas, founder of benzo.case.com / benzo-case-japan.com
Please read share so your loved ones are informed and can say NO to benzos!
If you have experienced adverse effects when taking or tapering from benzodiazepines I’d love some feedback on the above possible contributing factors.
Hi Trudy
Fist of all you are amazing !!
I desperately need your advice please I know you are sent from God
I want to get out of the dark hole and have a life anxiety and panic attacks has taken most of my life…
Medication: 150mg Venlor 1X day at 5pm 6years
Zanor (benzo) 1.5mg at night before sleeping 6years
Nexim or Lancap 2X in the morning on empty stomach 12years have very bad acid
I have a very bad sugar addiction and if I try to gut it out even slowly few days after I get the worst panic attack and anxiety
Hade a LEEP extraction 5 months ago HPV virus stage 3 cancer cells removed Cervical
Also struggle for 5 years to get pregnant but all I need is to be healthy fist and get my life back !!
I am from South Africa I am 28 years old
JUST BEFOR I GAVE UP I came across your you tube video and hope filled my being
Please help were can I good quality and cheap product here in SA
With what do I start fist? I thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart
God bless you!!! xxxx
Jolandie
I can’t consult via the blog but this would be my approach if we worked together – start with the basics and switch to real whole foods diet and get off processed food, junk food and gluten (and look for other food sensitivities – gluten and these can be a factor when there are signs of too much acid) and caffeine.
For sugar addiction I use the amino acids and they also help anxiety/depression https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/anxiety-amino-acids-overview/ and this would be the next step I’d address.
I’d do all of this before even having a client discuss medications and tapers with their doctors
I have had terrible withdrawal effects on two separate occasions from Xanax in particular. When I was a teenager I was taking roughly 5 footballs a day n after forgetting how I got arrested several times I decided to quit the drug by going cold turkey. That was a huge mistake as within days I had 2 seizures each one separated by 18 hours. Fast forward to 15 years later when I tried to taper myself down safely. I got to the minimal dose n was straight for 2 days when I had a seizure. After that 2 weeks went by until I had a second one. That was last week n I’m still healing from collapsing on concrete. Benzodiazepines have to be one of if not the worst drugs to try n stop taking safely. I still having gone back to them n intend to never have another one my entire life!!
Roy
I’m sorry to hear about the withdrawal effects. This is not uncommon with certain people
As you can see taking Xanax can be more of an issue if someone has CYP3A5 polymorphism (about 10-20% of Western populations are defective in genes of the CYP liver enzyme superfamily)
And symptoms may be worse when: Taking a course of antibiotics, taking a course of one of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, on an SSRI prescription, taking a course of antifungal medications, drinking alcohol on a regular basis, on an opioid such as oxycodone or drinking grapefruit juice on a regular basis. May I ask if any of the above are factors for you?
I encourage you to check out some of the resources I list in the blog.
(I’m not quite sure what this part means “5 footballs”)
Footballs are a name given to a 1mg generic xanax because a certain manufacturers alprazolam are made in the shape of a football.
Hi Trudy, sooo glad I found your site. I listened to a lot of the anxiety summit and got some great information. My problem is I’m dealing with multiple issues and my nutritionist is trying to deal with all of them at once and my anxiety is through the roof. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 25 years ago – controlled mostly through diet and excessive. High anxiety and insomnia became overwhelming about 10 years ago and my doctor put me on Xanax (3-4mg per day). I also stated having issues with IBS and GERD around the same time. Last year the insomnia was out of control and my doctor started adding in different, rotating medications (none of which worked for sleep at all and made me more anxious). I can’t handle any type of antidepressant, they just increase anxiety. In April I found a nutritionist that did blood and Pyrrole urine tests and it turns out I have Pyrrole disorder with EXTREMELY elevated copper (50% unbound blood copper). I’ve got completely grain free, changed my diet from vegetarian to high (healthy) fat, low carb, lots of grass fed beef and free range chicken and am on supplements for pyrrole disorder and leaky gut. I tapered off the other prescribed meds but haven’t stopped the Xanax because my anxiety is so high and I get horrible withdrawal symptoms. The supplements were helping at first but I’m still plagued with brain fog and extreme fatigue and they are getting worse again. I had to put my 11 year old dog to sleep a few weeks ago and the stress of that has thrown me back down the high anxiety, horrible insomnia, brain fog rabbit hole. Cutting down on the zinc and B6 does help some or the anxiety and eating more calcium in the form of dairy seems to help but with the insomnia but not the brain fog and makes the IBS and GERD symptons come back – might be leaky gut issue? Any advice on what order I should try tackling these multiple health issues – high copper, leaky gut, probable candida, sleep and anxiety issues, brain fog and memory problems, benzo tapering? I think I need to slow down the copper elimination but don’t know if that will also affect my digestion issues. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Leslie
I’d talk to your nutritionist about the IBS and GERD and look into other food sensitivities and the possibility of SIBO.
And continue to address what you mentioned above.
It’s tricky with a benzo in the picture. We really want to be in good health when doing a taper and yet being on the benzo can be contributing to many of the symptoms (anxiety, brain fog, insomnia
Kerouac has been addicted to benzedrine for some time as well as other members of The Beat Generation. Reading their notes makes you realize how dangerous Benzodiazepine is.
Do you perhaps have a link to share with more info on this?
Benzedrine is a trade-name for an amphetamine. Opposite effect to benzos. Gave rise to the 1944 song, “Who Put the Benzedrine in Mother Murphy’s Ovaltine?” (on YouTube).
Hi Trudy …
I am so relieved I came across your site.
Panic attacks run in my family and my doctor (now retired) put me on Clonazepam .5 mgs twice per day. I trusted my doctor and because of recurring panic attacks my doctor didn’t monitor me closely and I have been on them for almost 25 years. It gives me quality of life and other than feeling a little tired off/on I am active. My doctor retired and I had to find a Clinic Doctor that I see regularly. I am a 75 year old female and because I’ve been on Clonazepam for so long he felt I should just stay on them, but this last visit he did a 90 degree turn and said he wanted to wean me off of them slowly. Being a clinic doctor I am lucky if I get 10 minutes with him and he doesn’t seem to really go over my file to see that I’ve suffered nearly all my life from panic attacks. He doesn’t listen well when I try to explain. I’d like to mention as also I’ve had a rough ride as my husband passed away in 2011 and I’m just beginning to get over that and active again so more or less I don’t want to rock the boat. I also live alone and have no children or other support so I’d be on my own.
I am terrified if I wean off this medication no matter how slowly and that I will revert back to panic attacks and at my age I feel that would do more harm than good.
Thank you for your time.
Marcy
I am sorry to hear this and sorry to hear about your husband too.
If we were working together these are the options I’d propose 1) Find a new doctor who will prescribe as before OR 2) Educate yourself about benzo tapers (and share with your doctor) to minimize the side effects (this blog has tons of information) AND start to make the nutritional changes so the panic attacks you used to have are no longer happening (this blog is a great resource and my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” walks you through it step by step (find it on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2lDuQyD). I would always recommend #2 because of the effects of long-term benzo use.
Just because panic attacks run in your family doesn’t mean you are destined to have them. Family members may have similar root causes.
Trudy,
I’m very interested in knowing the long term effects of taking benzos for decades? I have a family member that has taken them for years and years and is very very dependent on them. (Dementia runs in our family)
Thank you
C
Research results are mixed but there is enough evidence, in my opinion, to be concerned ” Investigations of the association between benzodiazepine therapy and cognitive decline in elderly patients have yielded mixed findings. Stronger links have emerged from studies examining longer- rather than shorter-acting benzodiazepines, longer rather than shorter durations of use, or earlier rather than later exposure. Questions remain about causality and the impact of confounders on study interpretation. ” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29273607/
Trudy,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and provide a research link.
I actually see a marked difference in ‘real time’ with my family member when she takes a klonopin. (Her speech becomes slurred, she is definitely cognitively impaired and seems so ‘out of it’) She struggles with years of chronic alcoholism. I absolutely hate that she is on this controlled substance as someone who already struggles with addiction. Sadly, she doesn’t view her decades of Klonopin use as part of her substance abuse. My family and I are gravely concerned about her long term cognitive health, as well as her overall health. She was once so incredibly sharp. She excelled at academics and she was even an esteemed researcher in cancer research at one point. (This is why I’ve still held on to a “grain of hope” that if she is provided with some compelling evidence that maybe…maybe…somewhere deep inside…”the person we knew”… is still there and will hear and respond to the truth of what this drug is doing to her once, beautiful mind) My family has already witnessed years of heartbreaking decline in her cognitive, mental and physical health due to years of substance abuse.
Our family has already been through the gut wrenching experience of dementia with a loved one. It was a long emotional journey of loss. They call it the “longest goodbye”. (I’ve read that a caregiver’s immunity is still compromised 3yrs after caregiving. There were many times of joy and we had such gratitude for the good days in this caregiving journey. However, it was 24/7 total care that did have a lasting impact on our health)
So, I fear and dread that my addicted loved one is headed towards neededing that same caregiving. Addiction is also a (horrific) long drawn out goodbye. It has just been “different” than dementia. It has involved a great deal more trauma, constant emotional and financial crisis and perpetual stress dealing with her addiction. It has been an utterly exhausting journey due to my loved one’s repeeated patterns of destructive choices.
Again, thank you for your willingness to reply and provide helpful information. Your kind reply was truly like receiving a simple kindness. It can be so helpful to those of us struggling with a family member who is in dire need of help that refuses that help. It is evident that you possess a heart for the work that you do. Thank you.
My phone always autocorrects! I meant that receiving your kind reply was like receiving a simple act of kindness. I guess that you could surmise what I meant 🙂
C
My heart goes out to you and your family