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To those of you watching this video because you are going through withdrawal, you are not alone.

I've been addicted to many substances including narcotics...meth...and alcohol. I can say nothing holds a candle to benzo withdrawal. I'm 3 years and 8 months clean and my life is great today. Anyone reading this and suffering just know...there is hope you will recover. It just takes time. 🙏

I broke down and cryed listening to this and knowing I was not alone.

Everybody needs to watch this BEFORE taking a benzo!

"Insomnia that can't even be explained" I felt that

I am going through this as we speak, and this is the saddest and most painful experience I’ve ever experienced in life. I’m a college graduate with a BA in creative writing and a MS in education, now studying acupuncture which has helped me alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of clonozapam. Unfortunately, a friend gave me this pill right after graduating with my BA. I was addicted for over 10 years. When I realized it had messed up my life , I went to the hospital and no one helped. They treated me like a drug addict. I lost friends and family. I am still suffering. This ruined my life and natural psychological development. It destroyed me and my relationships with work, friends and family. I’m still recovering and seeking therapy.

I still have PTSD regarding the horrors of benzo withdrawal.

Been there. Literal hell. Wishing anybody going through this the best.

This vid should be on the national news...very informative

Benzo withdrawal is the most worst thing ever. From 27 years old to 30; A prescription from my medical doctor to a psychiatrist I slowly became addicted. Then almost a year ago I was on a hellacious train to get off. People I hear make jokes about the drug or who have a prescription I try to inform them about what they could possibly lead themselves into. I always tell them "if you like that drug, one day you might meet The devil". The pain your body goes into, the insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of sex drive, loss of motivation, you can't get out the bed in the mornings, mood swings, depression. And that's not including the fact you have to deal with all what I just listed but also go to work and take care of your kids. STAY VERY FAR AWAY FROM BENZOS!!! This is your warning. That's why your watching this video. Because you know your in trouble. Well If it hasn't completely took affect or your not completely addicted, you will be. Stay away!

When I was on Klonopin, i became like a different person. I became so reckless and it felt like I no longer really had any emotions. It took away my anxiety completely when i was on it, but once you get off, all that anxiety comes right back. The withdrawl is pretty difficult, but it's something I managed to get through.

God bless all of you going through this, I'm with you. I'm 36 yrs old I have seizures and I stopped Clonazepam cold turkey before Christmas 2023 my withdrawal was so hard because I already have seizures and I'm seeing things that aren't here, I hear things, I'm super emotional, i can't control my body functions at some times. I feel helpless. Peace and Blessings to you all 🙏🏾✨🙏🏾

The fact that it's a mental and physical kind of suffering, but more on the mental side of things is what's devastating about it.. Like that lady said, all of her tests came out positive as if she wasn't suffering, but the one thing they can't test for is the neurological devastation this drug costs on the user.

I was taking prescribed Klonapin for 15 years, never told about the dangers of it. For 11 of those years, I was upped to 4mg/Klonapin per day. I unfortunately moved to this very scary town that I thought was "country," but ends up it was a prison town, drug-infested people and in a highly uncaring county in California. Such a small and creepy town that there were no doctors, just a Physician's Assistant (that I thought was a doctor). He chose to cut me off of Klonapin cold turkey even though I begged him to taper me off safely unknowning what a withdrawal would be like. He smirked at me and said "No." I had 1 day and 1/2 left of Klonapin. Had to look up on the internet what was going to happen. It was worse than what the internet said would happen. I can't go into detail because, even 6 years later now I can't go there to think too deeply about it and all that happened (that I remembered that happened). I think I may have had a seizure or even died because I "woke up" to my beloved cat screaming and scratching me. Other than whatever that was, I did not get one minute of sleep the entire two weeks. I should have died several times, and tried to end it a couple of times that I remember, but I had special needs cats that I love so much I couldn't bear to see them left in this creepy town where there were a lot of abandoned animals already. I was completely alone except one friend from high school that called at least once a day which helped a lot from what I can remember. I remember frantically writing my Will to make sure my cats would be taken care of because I knew I was going to die. The day the chemical part left my body, my jaw shifted very hard, I suddenly had very loud Tinnitus (still have), my vision changed and never went back to normal, I lost my taste and smell completely (way before COVID, btw), I had burning mouth syndrome for about a year, and my most precious cat that I've had since she was a baby and was 12 at this time, she sniffed me and ran away from me and hid for a few days. I was absolutely heartbroken and angry at the Physician's Assistant at the same time. I was graced with a regular credit card turning into a Mastercard so I could use that to move back to my safe county and town, but it wasn't easy and took some time. I am so, so nauseous just writing this. I knew I was moving back to my home town to die because I didn't want to die there and I wanted to be sure my cats would go to a certain rescue That I knew would make sure they were taken care of and would provide their medicines and find them great homes. Detail for my withdrawal from this horrifying medicine literally takes me back there so I don't talk about it much. While on it I became a recluse; lost all motivation to do anything fun or creative (I had a really good job as a Legal Secretary/Paralegal downtown L.A., also danced professional foclorico, also played percussion in quite a few bands. That was, and still is all gone. Six years later, I stay in the house although did some hiking for awhile, but too many triggers came so I'm back in the house. The only, and I mean ONLY meaning in my life and love I have is for my beloved cats. They are the only-only reason I am still alive.

People need to get together and File class action lawsuits !

In 1998 I had waited 18 years to buy my own first condo with my family. The very fist night I had a breakdown, pacing the floors all night. I had no idea I was withdrawing, thought I was going insane. It ruined everything. Seizures, depression, lost the house in 8 months, put my whole family through welfare, terrible times. I’m still here and doing well now, seeing this video breaks my heart for all these beautiful people.

The side effects are blamed on the patient not the drug. When refused to go back on it the shrink raised his voice at me for being uncooperative. I RAISED MY VOICE BACK AT HIM.

I lost my mother to suicide and after watching this video this explains all the pain the doctors couldn’t explain, it angers me deeply that doctors throw these medicines out like they are candy. If anyone is going through this please know that it is ok to get help.

My Dr left his practice with a 2wk notice with no Ativan script after 20 yrs. I almost died. No one knew about the sever withdrawal symptoms. I hallucinated BP problems along with terrible anxiety. It's been almost 2yrs ago no one will prescribe benzo for me. I still experience many of the symptoms that the people shared. God bless you all who are experiencing withdrawal.

Thank God for this video. I was prescribed Ativan today for the first time. After watching this video, I'm not going to pick it up from the pharmacy. I have no time for this bs. My anxiety gets so bad that I'm hospitalized . Given nitro under my tongue because they think I'm about to have a heart attack on the way to the hospital. Admitted and given a stress test then they realized nothing is wrong, with my heart. But anxiety. Thank you for this video. I refuse to open that door. Blessings, everyone ❤.

Off Klonopin for about a week. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I had been on benzos since 1999. Using CBD spray and edibles to counter symptoms. It really helps to hear these testimonies and to know I'm not alone in this. Thanks!

My withdrawal lasted almost TWO years physically & mentally from Benzos. Self created HELL. Took Benzos for about a decade, HARD! Abused them; 20-30 pills daily towards the End. Easy to get; dirt CHEAP. For me, makes Opiate withdrawal seem like a Glorious sunny comfy vacation. Seizures, insomnia like I've never experienced. Pretty sure I had a couple of REAL nervous breakdowns. My significant other cared for me like an infant. Self Created "Nightmare" is gross understatement. I was So sick physically/mentally, couldn't work... Couldn't drive, couldn't read, write, sign my own f*cking name. Couldn't drive/eat/sleep. Shaking uncontrollably for a couple months, then twitching, then jumps, Ect. Suicidal Instructive Thoughts. My body/mind DIDN'T belong to me💔❤️‍🩹💔 my memory down plays what I went through. My short term memory is SH*T! Shamefully SCARY terrible.

This is my 3rd day of coming off .5mg of Ativan. I feel sick and achy, have pins and needles in my legs / feet, giddy and frightened. Thank you all for sharing your experiences- I don’t feel so alone.

I have been through klonopin withdrawal. Absolute nightmare that seem to keep going. I’m 10 years off this year, and I’m doing pretty good today. I was on klonopin 9 years before detox. Idk how I got through it, but I did. The list of withdrawal symptoms are just too many to name. I do recall delusions. I had many!!! Nerve pain and adrenaline rushes. Know you will get through it! You gave my absolute sympathy and compassion.

I know some of these people here, were in my Benzo blogs, , 2011-2015I lost 5 years is my life with Clonazepam, 2 tapering, took 2 years off for me to feel normal, anxiety, insomnia, fears, ideating on taking on my life, lived in a deep dark despair, I could not manage my household, do art, felt like I was not myself, depersonalization, cried every day, No one knew how to help me, Thanks for the Benzo Buddies, and other bogs, that support got me through! Pure Hell!

2mg of Clonazepam, then 4, then 6 and then then 8 mg of Clonazepam (Klonopin) a day. Still alive. 9 months cold turkey. Lost everything. Totally misunderstood. I live in Spain, most of the info is in english, Ashton manual saved my life. Still a lot to do to full recovery, but i survived. Be strong, we are fkn WARRIORS! Much love to everyone here.

Knowledge is power, and people will be more informed now that videos like this are easily available on the internet.. Wish my mom could've seen others who suffered like her and actually made it through to the other side!

When ever a primary care doctor says you have to take a med for the rest of your life run!

Wow. On my own journey. Slowly tapered off... by myself. Didn't tell anyone because I am a compliant person. I didn't want anyone to talk me out of it. The withdrawal has been difficult. I have given birth to 7 children and understand pain. The withdrawal symptoms have been tortuous. The dizziness between doses made me feel like I was on a boat violently rocking. Or my head was lurching inside. Such a weird sense of being out of this world in not a good way. Needle like nerve pain that made me jerk n twitch. Skin crawling. Insomnia. The very worst was falling asleep. In the state of sleep anxiety would rise up higher n higher until I could hardly breath and my body was to tense that I felt like I was in a vice. I have been wondering how long this would go on. When I initially googled it said 10-14 days. But the more I have read n researched the more it sounds like it may be much, much longer. If so then I have a long way to go. Even so, I am determined not to turn back. Forward through this to healing n freedom. Not sure that I even want to return back to the doctor. I am done.

It’s been a year after I quit benzos cold turkey after taking it for 6 years. My doctor won’t reduce my dosage despite all the side effects I was having while on meds, so I had to cut it off myself. The withdrawal symptoms are absolute hell. I have headaches 24 hrs a day everyday, worsening depression, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, dissociation syndrome, and panic attacks. I don’t even know if I can get through this, people around me judged me without actually understanding how torturous this is.

Here's the best way I can describe benzo withdrawal, imagine what it would be like to be sucked up into an airplane engine. That is it.

I took it for 15 years. I am happy to say right now that i don't take anything anymore. It is possible! Not easy, but it is possible.

Thank you for this piece! It is so on target and real. I’m two months off after 32 years. God, I’d love to see a class action suit, not for monetary gain but to stop abuse by pharma and doctors. Peaceful

Excellent! It's the type of format I've been hoping for!

The end segment hit home. I was taking .25 mg every 3 or 4 days as needed. When my refills were gone, I went to the doctor and told her about the withdrawals. Tigheness in my head to the point where it feels like my head is gonna explode, burning in arms/legs, rapid thoughts while trying to sleep to the point where your having a conversation inside your head and unable to fall asleep (I can't explain it fully.) She told me there was no way I am having withdrawals from such a low dose. I'm here to tell you that I do and they are very real. This is coming from someone who has access to them, and who cuts a pill in half instead of taking the full dose. Just 0.25 mg every 3 or 4 days is all it takes for your body to get hooked on them.

There are THREE mountains we have to climb with benzo recovery: the withdrawal & taper, the manifestations (major depression / agoraphobia), and the pre-existing condition.

Benzo withdrawal completely ruined my life!

I only regret one day in my life. The day my doctor wrote a script for benzodiazepines. Thank heavens I've managed to be off them for 6 years. I literally become a monster.

Yes We are alone. No one cares People call you crazy and walk away Still suffering after 2 years.

Thank u for this, I was just prescribed this week and wow, good thing I found these videos

My personal story - I was prescribed 1 mg Xanax 4 times a day for anxiety after Lily was born. I was instructed to "bite them in half" and take them throughout the day. Soon I noticed my life was a living hell. Fatigued. Confused. Depressed. I cried begging the doctor to take me off. He said "No. Your bad thoughts will get worse and you'll gain a bunch of weight." So I quit cold turkey. Ended up suicidal and in the psych hospital twice. Moral of the story. Doctors take a 2 hour class on benzos and hand them out to innocent people like candy. You don't give a young mother 4 mg of Xanax because she's anxious. That's a recipe for disaster. I'm not alone in the hell I've been going through for years. This has to stop. I don't drink. I've never smoked a cigarette. Yet I took a high dose of a potent mind altering drug for years because my doctor said I needed them. They're not a "mother's little helper." They're vile. They should be destroyed. There are other ways to combat anxiety. I'm surprised I'm still alive.

I,ve had severe panicattacs with derealisation and depersonalization phenomena which in turn made me agarophopic . I”ve been on Xanax since my twenties and I’m now 61 years old and I have Xanax to thank for being able to having a career and getting a family with three lovely daughters as opposed to being a recluse. I, ve never experienced any of the side effects that these unfortunate men and women describe. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones.

Nearly 50 yrs as a medical professional, veteran, and someone who knows what torture and panic attack is, and I cannot understand the misuse of benzos both in prescribing and in withdrawing when a doctor can be stupid and cruel enough to abruptly stop a patient's meds. This is insanity. Any MD that prescribes a benzo MUST understand that the termination of the script must be over months of taper, one step at a time until the patient is not facing dangerous symptoms of withdrawal. It's not rocket science, but there are idiots in the medical profession too, and they're responsible for suicides and suffering. "First, do no harm..." - Hippocrates

There's a common curse that says "May you live in interesting times". Considering they are now cutting patients from benzos left and right with no regard for their health and safety, coupled with opiate/drug epidemic, and the CDC and the state exercising totalitarian control over doctors and their licenses, I would say we live in said times. I'm 6 days off after tapering klonopin down to 0.125mg and I feel fine. I'm fucking blessed that I feel this way, b/c I've experienced horrible withdrawals and the stupid doctors (not all my doctor is actually pretty cool)/mental health system/state authoritarianism. It can and does get better. If nobody told you today, I love you!

These days my doctor will prescribe anything but benzodiazepines, which has honestly kind of annoyed me because it seems like such a great solution to anxiety. But I know it’s for the best and I appreciate that my doctor has my best interests at heart.

Been on them since I was 17, I'm 29 now. My twenties and late teens are GONE. My mind is broken. 12 years. I won't kill myself, ever.

The worst torture ever when i was "cold turkey'ed" by the Dr from benzos. After 5 years the withdrawals and psychosis did not stop. Severe claustrophobia, unable to be inside a house, lights on all night, can't be in a car with windows up, no airplanes, sit in front of a window all day and night in fear of suffocating. Slept less than 2 hours a day for 5 years. Found 12.5mgs quetiapine slowly helped stop the suffocation sensation and most of the claustrophobia.

It puts you into a state where nothing matters in a good way. You truly don't give a shit about anything and you're just happy as fuck as a result, because nothing matters. Nothing matters, nothing means anything, there's nothing to do, there's no point, there's no goal but there's also no boredom, there's no negative meanings attached to the meaninglessness, it's just perfectly meaningless and it's awesome. You're basically just like sitting like a cat on a windowsill enjoying whatever experience is before it, just being and it feels amazing. 🦄

Well done --- and a very long time coming. Hopefully, the dawn of a new age.

I’m 22 and was healthy hiking, running, skiing, hardly drank never smoked. I had 1 panic attack this July. I went to an urgent care. I was handed a bottle of Ativan. I was told to take it whenever I needed up to twice a day. Then my next provider upped my dose. I was clueless. 3 months later my life is living hell. I can’t function. I experience all of these symptoms in the video. I cried watching this. I don’t feel alone. I have been pushed thorough doctors and none of them can admit what I am going through is this..

And weed is illegal.

I'm on a benzo video marathon. I have really bad social anxiety and have been considering getting on anti anxiety meds. All these videos have opened my mind.

my grandma had been taking 6mg of bromazepam for decades. one time, all nearby pharmacies ran out for a week. she had to be hospitalized because the withdrawal was close to causing brain and heart damage ever since, she's had trouble hearing. never underestimate benzos.

I took several different types of benzo's for 17 years. Overall, I think they helped me. The problem I have is that doctors don't properly titrate people off the benzos. I was given a 10 day librium taper: which was seriously inadequate. The following 15 months were the worst of my life. I think they can be beneficial but the process of getting off them is seriously misunderstood.

4 years off and still suffering, nobody believes me at this point.. I've become disabled by these evil drugs that I took for 3 years, withdrawal can last much longer than the actual time on the drug, I've seen multiple people suffer for many years now like myself.. Thanks for bringing awareness

I ran out of Klonopin because I had been using more than prescribed due to the tolerance. I ran out and then went involuntarily cold turkey. Initially, I thought it would be no big deal, maybe a few sleepless nights but nothing major, until my next refill. Boy was I ever wrong. What they describe is accurate, my muscles were all twitching and my stomach cramping, and the pain was awful. I was sweating buckets and shaking and could hardly breathe. It was so bad that even when a friend told me I could go get a few pills to get me through the worst of the withdrawals, that I could barely even get out of bed *to go pick up pills*. I couldn’t believe what a “drug addict” I was. It was horrifying. It took me only 6 months to completely taper off and quit, because I went hardcore in cutting to the very least I needed to function. I really wanted off of it. I actually still had several left that I never used when I was done. The worst part was the severe fatigue I felt for about 9 months. I had no energy and just wanted to lay down. Everything finally normalized. I’ve been off Klonopin for 3 years now.

I was first prescribed Ativan after my first panic attack, due to the fact that my Father committed suicide. I have been off and back on Benzos since 1998 and it has helped me through some hard times.

Everybody did great.. thank you for all you do..

I am on a Benzo; it's the best thing ever for my severe anxiety. I use it only when needed; honestly, it saved me. I can do things I couldn't once do with my severe anxiety. I am also sorry to hear about all of these bad experiences.

Currently weaning off of klonopine! I have detoxed off of opioid pain pills, norcos, ultram. I can honestly say the detox from opioids was a walk in the park compared to the hell a benzo withdrawal is! I would have never accepted the prescription 20+ years ago if I would have known how nasty the benzo withdrawal is!!

It’s been a FREAK’N 10 year NIGHTMARE. I’m still so miffed at the lack of my Dr.’s accountability as well as how this stuff even got on the market with little or no follow up questions or after care. It’s wild that Dr.’s continue going on these all expenses paid trips to exotic locations for “Work Shops” on how to peddle this crap but than have no clue as to really deal with it when there patients express concern from taking the stuff (for many years). They just lower the dosage , cut you off completely, which can lead to seizures or just give you a similar RX with another name or tell you to ween yourself off of it with anemic compassion or instruction. The medical establishment just revictimize the patient by blaming them & shutting the door. I smell a class action law suit in the future. I guess if your a Dr. being a drug dealer makes you a pillar of society now 🤫

I’m now tapering of diazepam and it’s hell , I’m like a zombie I can’t do nothing without physical getting exhausted

Glad I found this channel. Just very thankful.

Thank you guys for spreading awareness for this issue. There are so many people who just do not understand what is going on. I had to quit cold turkey after 10 years to see my daughter . I told myself I would do anything even if it killed me to get her back but it honestly seems like that is going to happen. It was all so preventable. The people who I trusted to keep me healthy I have taken everything

I’m in such a bad place I can’t believe this is happening to me

I was on Ativan and taking Xanax unprescribed for my severe anxiety and currently withdrawing. Major insomnia, shaking, constant anxiety, hallucinations, suicidal intrusive thoughts. I do not wish this on anyone and anyone like me going through it is so strong. And you are not alone. ❤

I am on Klonopins and one month my medicine was stolen out of my apartment in a break in. I had to go three weeks without my medicine. It was a nightmare. I thought I developed M.S. because I had every symptom like neck and back pain, horrible muscle twitching and spasms, numbness, hard to walk, hot spells, and several others. The worst was short term memory loss and having trouble reading. I couldn't remember names and then If I would try to remember sports players names while I was trying to remember I would forget what I was trying to remember. It was a nightmare. PLEASE don't quit benzos wild turkey. The worst can be seizures and death. May God be with all of you.

It feels like an out of body losing your mind experience and I have to hide my problem. The doctor who prescribed it abandoned me. I feel so lost and hopeless and I have to hide my feelings. Thanks for listening and God bless all.

So sad that we HAVE to go through this PRESCRIBED ADDICTION without support from the Medical Community! If I could STOP - I WOULD! Suicide is NOT an option -ONLY a thought! Thank you for bringing this to the forefront of ALL.

Benzo's made me feel like I was so annoyed at everyone and everything, I hated the slow time, constant sweating, irritability, waking up too early in the morning, loss of memory, wanting to get things done but couldn't, and lashing out at people. Really need to get off of them.

My son went through it. Luckily there was a local expert who got him on a tapering plan. He’s been off completely for a month, but still dealing with some issues. Physically, he got down to 138 pounds and he’s 6 feet tall. Still a long road to recovery.

Great video. I work as a psyche nurse currently. I believe a good % of my group is currently suffering from BWS, they are still being prescribed the Rx, still using other benzo on the street, and they are unaware of dangers. It is difficult to convince anyone of what I am seeing- especially my patients. They will fight to keep their prescriptions, and they believe because it comes from a doctor it is safe. And on the flipside, many are not honest with the doctor about what other drugs they are taking on the street. Hopefully we can raise enough awareness.

wish I had been a part of this!!

I am currently going through these same withdrawls and I don't know who to turn to for help. I feel abandoned! I suffer from anxiety still. Living with depression and anxiety is aweful. I don't wish this on anyone. I wish that I could just be happy and calm. Watching this helped me to see that there are other people going through what I am going through. I also learned about" Benzo buddies" and I will now look it up for more information that can help me. Thank you for creating this video! You are reaching out and helping lot's of people who really need it.

I believe i only took lorazepam for 2 weeks and just stop not knowing what i had just done to myself. I felt like i was dieing for 1 yr. Everything in this video that people talked about i went through i thought i was going crazy and need to be lock up some where. I feel better now i have the drive to live and be happy and joyful. May god bless you all

I can’t explain how horrible what I’ve gone through it it’s just unbelievable

AMAZING VIDEO! PRAYING 4 US.

I 'll never forget when I was going through my own personal hell how the night sky was so bright. It was the most frightening and horrific thing I've ever experienced and I kicked methadone which was a walk in the park compared to benzodiazepine withdrawal. God bless you all.

I’m so scared of the stories of drs all of the sudden quitting or leaving it’s crazy. The doctors just assume everyone is an addict.

I’m five days off...spent six months tapering from Xanax and finally jumped off diazepam at the end. Depression, bad sleep and tinnitus are my worst symptoms

Truthfully I tried to tell everybody what I was going through.Doctors, friends, family. Nobody believed me or cared. My family turned their back on me because I was sick and could no longer do for them. Two years and I am still suffering. As horrible as it is, for me the worst of it all has been everyone’s cruel response to me. I am truly alone.

My doctor prescribed me klonopin. I hardly ever take it, even if I am anxious. I have only been taking it when going to get dental work done to help with my uncontrollable shaking. Thats what I did today. The procedure was a breeze and I had the best nap afterward. It made me wonder how often I could take it to help me sleep better. After watching this, I will only be taking it for extreme situations. I had similar symptoms and withdrawl issues to these people when I was on venlafaxine. That was a three year nightmare. I do not want to do that ever again. Thank you for sharing your experiences. ♡

Taken Diazepam for 10 years. Being forced to taper off of it has destroyed my life. I'm always feeling sick, tired, depressed and anxious. I was never like this before I was forced to taper. Spent nearly a year lying in bed, and I had only tapered half of my dosage. The lack of help from professionals is positively *CRIMINAL!* The venerable and compassionate Dr. Ashton said (in a video interview) that only about 30% of the patients she treated for benzo dependency experienced severe symptoms. However, she subsequently stated that that percentage is likely much higher, because more prescriptions are written every day, and many people never seek treatment-mainly because there is nothing that's effective. Further frustrating is how few psychiatrists and M.D.s who prescribe benzos have even heard of Dr. Ashton's or her work. I've told at least a dozen doctors and nurses about her amazing achievements (including writing The Ashton Manual), and not only do they not know of her, they don't care to even read up on it. In the age of smartphones and internet _everywhere_ , this is unacceptable! Yet we as benzo-dependent patients are forced to deal with this ignorance, because there is absolutely no research or efforts to change this hole in the medical community. I am baffled that in 40 years of prescriptions-at times the most popularly prescribed drugs in the western world-that there is absolutely no help available from the medical field. In the USA, the only option is to admit you're an addict, then go to a drug addiction detox center for a measly 3-5 days. There you'll be lumped-in with drug addicts and alcoholics, and the staff will rapidly withdraw you and give you barbituates, further exacerbating your problem. While I fear that there is no hope for a cure or any effective professional help in _my_ lifetime (I'm 30), it is my sincere hope that future generations do not have to deal with the benzo scourge. To whoever put this video together, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The one and only downside to it, is that more people need to see it-especially medical professionals and potential benzo victims. Also, an effort to make a new video featuring new faces should be made. ❤ Thanks Again!

Jordan Peterson almost died during his benzo detox. He had to fly to Russia to get medical detox.

I have been on Klonopin for 11 years ranging from 0.5 - 1.5 mg depending on the phase in my life. My healthcare practitioner said it was time for me to get off, because benzodiazepines can supposedly cause dementia. I am slowly titrating myself off. I am down to a quarter of a 0.5 mg tablet every other day or so. When I began the tapering, I experienced extreme sensitivity to light, terrible migraines and extreme anxiety. It’s been about almost 2 months, those symptoms have gotten better but I now have bad tinnitus on my right ear. Praying it goes away. I do not see myself ever going on a benzo in the future unless it’s a dier. I wish you all the best on your detox. Let’s fight the fight💕

"Benzodiazepines are indicated for the short-term relief (two to four weeks only) of anxiety that is severe, disabling or subjecting the individual to unacceptable distress..." Even if prescribed only for a short period of time, "...[withdrawal] symptoms may continue for weeks or months..." - Committee on Safety of Medicines, U.K. Government Bulletin to Prescribing Doctors, January 1988.

I am three years off, I get electric shock torture still. Also my head is in a vice and stabbing pains come OUT of the body. The weirdest type of pain, like the knifeman is inside. The real horror, is waiting for the torture to start, but the gaps in between are getting longer.

Klonopin has saved my life. It cured my agoraphobia. But everyone is different.

I was on 1mg lorazepam daily for 2 years. I only took them 4-5 days a week and sometimes stop for a week at a time and honestly suffered no withdrawal other than insomnia for a month and panic attacks for 1 week. You have to be careful and give your body time to adjust without the medication or else you become completely dependent and I've only met 1 doctor that knew to explain this to me.

They wont say its bad cause then they have to admit they screwed up in the 70s Accepting this prescription is a life sentence

You are not alone in withdrawing from benzos folks! I think this medication isn’t something that should be taken everyday honestly - for the reason that withdrawals can happen after stopping from using benzos daily. Personally around 4-7 days after last use is when withdrawals get the most intense for me (have used alprazolam and klonopin) The effects I get from withdrawal include Mental fog Strange body sensations Muscle spasms FACIAL spasms Ears ringing Rebound anxiety Feel like I’m slipping from reality All this subsides then goes away after 2 weeks from last use though. Hope this sheds some light on benzo withdrawal and effects and remind you you’re not alone in this. Have faith! Bless!

I’m lost in my mind and I’m alone. This withdrawal is killing me. 3 months ago I was abruptly cut off. The doctors insist that as soon as the drug is out of my system the withdrawal is over. They think I’m looking for drugs. My family has put their faith in what the doctors say. I’ve lost everything and everyone. I used to be smart and very able to support myself, Now my mind feels locked. I can’t even explain this right.

Listening to these people I'm rather glad I "only" had alcohol withdrawls and that I wasn't on Benzo.

I’m on day 9. I have been waking up every morning in a panic and drenched in sweat from the nightmares. This is hell

I believe every single one of ya...going through it to....thanks for your stories and video

i almost died from a cold turkey Xanax bar withdrawal i was doing about 4 to 6mg i had a seizure at work fell off a 15 foot ladder hit my head hit my ribs off some wood i went into a 20 second seizure then snapped out of it soon as the EMTS were coming straight at me i awoke to the whole job site staring at me in utter shock

Last year I started tapering of Tranqipam 2.5mg and Dopaquel. It took me 6 months and it was hell. I stayed on 1mg of Tranqipam and decided to start tapering off two weeks ago. I am starterting with withdrawal and it is super hard. If I can tell the world not to start taking these drugs, I would. To prevent others from going through the same hell. Yes they worj, but the side effects are also life changing. Memory loss, fatigue, agitation, and the list goes on and on. Only now my dr informed me that there are drugs to help with anxiety that are not benzos. You don't get addicted and you don't need to taper off. WHY AREN'T THESE THE FIRST OPTION WHEN THE NEED TO GIVE YOU MEDICATION

14 years of 4 milligram a day Klonopin addiction. I cleaned up MYSELF. I don't recommend it at all to detox by yourself. Anyway, it's been almost 8 years now of freedom from Benzos. It is WORTH it.

Great video. I am a new alcohol rehab nurse. I entered the rehab field in honor of my son whom we lost to addiction. I am shocked at the use of Ativan and Librium with all alcoholics who come in for detox. This is a travesty to give such a highly addicting drug to alcoholics who then may leave the rehab with 2 addictions instead of 1. I am taking a stand but the other nurses have deaf ears.