Tag: Benzodiazepines

Despite guidance that the drugs should only be used short-term, about a third of patients indicated long-term benzo use.

Researchers find that adverse effects often last over a year, with many users experiencing substantial life changes.

In a study of people with borderline personality disorder, only ADHD stimulants were associated with a decrease in suicide.

Growing rates of long-term psychiatric drug prescriptions and documented issues with withdrawal demonstrate a need for safe deprescribing practices.

A new study reveals many benzodiazepine users are misinformed about the risks of withdrawal and experience devastating consequences.

Current long-term users of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs identify barriers and facilitators for discontinuation.

We interview Renee Schuls-Jacobson about her book Psychiatrized: Waking up After a Decade of Bad Medicine which details Renee's experiences being prescribed the benzodiazepine clonazepam (Klonopin) for seven years.

I am thankful "Beyond Order" exists; if only because it serves as a cautionary tale for anyone looking to modify their mood using psychiatry’s plethora of pills.

Our new discussion series aims to explore what we do and don’t know about safe withdrawal from antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and stimulants.

The FDA has finally acknowledged the adverse effects of benzodiazepines, the dangers of withdrawal, and that the current packaging does not sufficiently warn of these harms.

My brain zaps—symptoms of benzo withdrawal—were like having a mini seizure on a daily basis. But my doctor kept telling me that my “underlying” anxiety was causing all my distress.

This week on MIA Radio, we present the second part of our podcast to join in the events for World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day 2020...

Researchers find that most psychiatric drugs cause severe withdrawal despite attempt s to gradually decrease the dosage.

Recent research implicates benzodiazepines as being involved in a high rate of emergency department visits in the US.

From Scienmag: "On average, the patients were 78 years old when they received their first benzodiazepine prescription — an advanced age for use of the...

From The Pew Charitable Trusts: "Teen drug use during the summer often goes unnoticed. It’s when school starts and students nod off in class, exchange...

New guidelines recommend deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists for adults.

From BBC: The abuse of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax is becoming widespread among children and adolescents as young as 11 years old. "To gain an idea of the...

From Psychiatric Times: Patients are increasingly turning to the internet as a source of information and support for antidepressant and benzodiazepine withdrawal due to the psychiatric...

In this blog post, Andy White highlights the role Xanax plays in silencing political dissent and keeping the public complacent. Instead of expressing anger...

From The New York Times: Use of benzodiazepines has risen among seniors despite their increased vulnerability to the drugs' adverse effects. "'Set aside the opioid issue,'...

From STAT: Although benzodiazepines are some of the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications in the U.S., few people realize how dangerous and addictive these drugs can be. "Highly...

A Las Vegas newspaper has released the autopsy blood toxicology report for Stephen Paddock. Three metabolites (breakdown products) of Valium were found in his blood: nordiazepam, oxazepam, and temazepam. Paddock’s autopsy report confirms he was a regular user of Valium, at least in the days leading up to the shootings.

From It's Not Just an Opioid Crisis: The media are saturated with coverage of the familial and community devastation that has resulted from the opioid...

From The Times: In an age in which benzodiazepine dependence is increasingly becoming a global problem, online forums serve as a lifeline for numerous benzodiazepine...