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Uneven Contributes to NY Times Article About Abrupt Discontinuation of Benzos

A recent article in the New York Times emphasizes the dangers of suddenly discontinuing benzodiazepines, and the challenge of accessing knowledgeable support.


In the article, "When They Couldn't Get Benzos Anymore, Quitting Was Torture," author Christina Caron discusses the initiatives by various organizations, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) to raise awareness about benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal. She also includes personal stories from individuals who have experienced cold-turkey withdrawal and faced challenges in finding support.


Numerous members of the benzodiazepine support community offered insights for this article. My colleague, Dr. Alexis Ritvo, referred me to the reporter, and I shared detailed background on the BIND research, the creation of the ASAM Guideline, and the overall experiences of individuals impacted by benzodiazepines. Speaking with Ms. Caron was a delightful experience, and I appreciated her compassion and curiosity.


“Most of us were never warned about the chances of dependency and long-term complications,” said D.E. Foster, a researcher who contributed to the new guidelines and is an advocate for people like himself who have struggled with benzodiazepine complications. Slow tapering can be difficult, he added, “but abrupt tapering can be dangerous.” — New York Times, "When They Couldn't Get Benzos Anymore, Quitting Was Torture," by Christina Caron

Highlights of the Article


The core of the article highlights the personal impact caused by these drugs.


The reporter begins with Tasha Hedges' story, whose psychiatrist, after 20 years of Xanax use, "ripped me off the meds." She likened the experience to a nightmare, saying that her "brain has not been the same." Jody Jarreau ended up taking Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin as prescribed by his psychiatrist and is still trying to taper off Valium with the assistance of a benzo coach.


The closing story about LaTasha Marbury describes her dependency on Klonopin when she visited a detox facility that "weaned her off it in just five days" with terrible consequences. She later went to a different facility where she was prescribed an antidepressant and began to feel much better.


Unfortunately, the article ends with Ms. Marbury expressing her relief with the results of the antidepressant, questioning, "Was this, rather than the benzodiazepine, the medication she should have been prescribed from the start?" The reality is that antidepressants have their own set of long-term issues, some of which she may have to face in the future.


Interwoven with these personal narratives, the author includes research, statistics, and recent advancements from the FDA, ASAM, and other organizations. She also incorporates insights from prominent experts at Harvard, Columbia, and Tufts Universities, among others.


Appreciation


In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the publications, particularly the reporters, for their focus on the benzodiazepine crisis. This article was excellently written and thoroughly researched, significantly aiding individuals in understanding the risks of suddenly stopping these medications.


Thank you.



BENZO-AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS

This article does include content that may be distressing to some in the benzo-harmed community. Please use caution.



References


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