I’m seeing your analysis and walk through of every section of this document for the first time right now, and I’m absolutely baffled to right along with you. These proposed protocols are nonsensical, undoubtedly extremely dangerlus, as well as minimizing and deeply offensive. Where in the USA is there a place to help people safely taper off of YEARS of prescribed BZD’s? A detox where they try to expedite flushing out the severely depended upon BZD and then kick you out the door in a literally sub-human, completely mentally emotionally and physically unstable state? Definitely NO. The psychiatric ward of your local hospital where you will ALMOST DEFINITELY be misdiagnosed with some other mental illness because the medical staff is looking for a quick answer and not understanding of the horrific intricacy and duration of what it truly means to taper under supervision in a safe, monitored environment? I bet most of the people who’ve landed on this channel have been misdiagnosed with at least one mental illness. This is terrifying ‘information’ , or more accurately - misinformation, about how to treat patients in need. I pray these comments come across the eyes and desk of someone who can actually help us change this protocol.

Hey. I’m just finding this channel in a pretty disheveled state (as I imagine most of us are) , on 7/23/24. I heard you say the 7/19/24 was the cut off for some sort of participation (not quite sure WHAT it is though), but I genuinely believe that my life may depend on participating and engaging with the creators of this channel and, if one exists, the community you have/are aspiring to educate and commune with. Please know I’m entirely unaware on what you’ve achieved thus far, and am speaking from a place of both reverence for your work and passion, as well as my agonizing hopelessness on how to reconcile this debilitating condition. Doctor has had me on this train for .. wow, nearly half my life now. Every day, without a miss. Thanks ahead of time for reading this and any insights on what to do. Much love and gratitude for your work. I hope you anyone who reads this is thriving, resilient, and loving themselves to the best of their ability. Bless you all.

Ive been on Xanax for 15yrs I've got really bad anxiety. Im now 32yrs old. I just got out of Rehab this month July 11, 2024. And, my doctor prescribed me Ativan. It's helped me alot. Not depressed, no anxiety around people, able to work. Ativan isn't just for everybody. Probably best is to see a psychiatrist.

Ive been treating protracted withdrawal over 3 years now with the last 6 months showing the best improvement . My most disabling symptom was -extreme- cognitive impairment, i couldnt form sentences or focus for even 2 seconds. Its a multi faceted and complex approach, healing the gut, eating well/restrictive, and taking neuroprotective nootropics that also promote neurogenesis. Lithium orotate is one. Im now healing my nervous system, my brain still isnt back to optimal wellnedd but that has only improved noticeably/the most on the last 2 months since new supplements. I feel hopeful ill get there. I was suicidal and so empty and devoid of serotonin , dopamine, and gaba i survived from sheer willpower. Finally getting somewhere and am working 25-30 hours now (i lost my job, relationships, sense of self sanity etc i thought i developed an autoimmune condition my fatigue and brainfog were so severe), being more social etc. I wasnt going to accept that my life was over.l and im finally getting it back.

Sorry you had to go threw that tho. Ive been goimg threw it hard for almost 2 years now. I feel bad for anyone that had to go threw this. Are you doimg ok good still?

This akathisia is horrific!!!

Ty

I went through this. This video sent me to benzo buddies, which showed me I wasn’t crazy or alone. It’s been 8 years now. I really don’t think I fully got through it, just learned to live the way I am now

Not survivable, without at least 100mg/day of Vitamin B1, which is Thiamine, especially for what is called "Chemical Terror!" The overwhelming FEAR. THIAMINE 100+ mg/day of Thiamine, at least, plus Magnesium.

ALL TRUE. BRAIN DAMAGE! STOP THE EUPHEMISMS! BRAIN DAMAGE!

I am off benzodiazepines 17 days now. I still have some symptoms but not tough ones

I was really upset reading this! I'm in the same position. How did U find an M.D if U don't mind me asking? I'm disabled & rely on my diazepam on a daily basis. My nerves are shattered due to PTSD & I'm so worried about them tapering me off as well, it took me 10yrs to get them in the first place. So I feel your pain. ❤❤🙏🤯

I live in Austin Texas, thankfully I found a doctor who semi cares about the tapper. Benzos I believe have ruin my life even after tapering for almost a year I feel depressed. I'm even on medicade and disability I'm able to work a part time job .I was prescribed Xanax then Ativan at large doses for many years . I get treated like an addict which I had my struggles. I'm on Medicare and Medicaid . It seems that you have to have the best insurance or money to get mental health here. It's so aggravating and it. I feel I'm ignored. Hopefully one day I can do something to change this.

I'm have so many brain fogging and feel scared all day everyday it feels like my head sways back an forth my eyes get double vision I don't know what to do.

I’m so glad I cut out Ativan after three weeks. Even with that short amount of time, I had some lingering withdrawal issues. But I can see it in his eyes, the abuse his body went through.

Glad I found this channel. Just very thankful.

28 months off klonopin, and still have chronic insomnia since coming off, if i only new the harm it was going to do at 0.75 mg at bed.

I see many comments about benzos withdrawl, and its scary I have same syptoms when I dont smoke weed for 2 days and less, litteral benzo or heroin withdrawls, some trainspotting type of shi

You will never win big pharma is way bigger than

This shit killed me no way around it

Got my comments in! Thank you Nicole!

Im on 15 mg grams of valum starting tapperg at 40 its been a year now .

This was my comment on the ASAM Draft: The problems with the proposed draft have already been clearly addressed by medical professionals. The very fact that no medical professional with the lived experience of the hellish symptoms of benzodiazepine taper and/or withdrawal was included in the formation of this draft is more than disheartening, and, frankly, a very curious decision that gives this old man a shudder of raw fear. After decades of disregarded evidence, the FDA at last placed a warning on the labels. Now, it seems some physicians and psychiatric service groups can’t get the patients off quickly enough, never mind the ubiquitous evidence available on the internet, particularly KZfaq and the comments on Benzodiazepine patient support YT channels, that tapering and withdrawal are often literal torture. Prescribers need to know that many, if not most, people who have been prescribed these medications for weeks or months (in my case, thirty years) are not just “in danger” of becoming physically dependent…they are already physically dependent. I am already physically dependent, imprisoned by this medication that I now vehemently detest. It is too late to take us off the medications to avoid physical dependency. I have been through some of these experiences. There simply are no words to describe the mental and physical anguish of tapering too quickly, and I do mean “just” a taper. The only time my benzodiazepine was stopped altogether was when a prescriber attempted to switch me from one benzodiazepine to another benzodiazepine. For whatever reason, it did not work. My mind was like a hurricane, pulling itself apart. It was not wrong thinking that caused these symptoms. It was because the benzodiazepine I had taken for years had been abruptly discontinued. Any attempted description of benzodiazepine tapers and/or withdrawal would be limited by the imagination of anyone who has not experienced this. The most common descriptives I seem to see in the comments of people’s experience are “hell” and “living hell”. I’m not trying to burn bridges, or be adversarial. I am trying desperately to be forthright: Where, from you, is the clear and steady alarm regarding the horrors that await a large percentage of benzodiazepine users who completely discontinue the medications, even with a slow taper? Where is the information to instill the humane fear in prescribers that taking patients (especially seniors) off benzodiazepines can be sentencing them to protracted post withdrawal symptoms, even permanent debilitation with physical pain and mental torment that has caused some, in despair, to even taken their own lives to escape those unbearable symptoms? Your telling patients how they must come off benzodiazepines, if you have not experienced it, in view of all the testimonies and evidence, is more than astonishing. It is breathtakingly terrifying.

I just called my doctors office and was told my doctor won’t be prescribing controlled substances I’ve been on lorazepam for 20 years he started me on them in 2004, and he can stop me cold turkey? Isn’t that illegal? I’m freaking out

I’m in bed. Not functioning. I need help. In withdrawal.

This is 100% what im dealing with now after 10 years of being on them. Taken off 1.5 mg daily cold turkey by my dr.

I purchased it as well; Have Ashton also. I use it for myself but also with my clients as many are on some combination of psychiatric medication.

I purchased it and love it!

Amen!!!! Keep going. Safety is the best, and mental health. Thank God for people like you!!!

Sorry I would like to ask a question in the most respectful way. First of all, rest in peace Christine, I'm very sorry this happened to you. But my question is, given the circumstances, isn't it a malpractice to not give her benzos again? clearly this outcome was the worst possible thing. Is being addicted to benzos for life worse than taking you own life?

Thank you for doing this 🙏🩷. Most people are fully, functionally disabled from benzo w/d.

This video does nothing but demonize benzodiazepines and scare medical professionals into prescribing them to people who ACTUALLY NEED THEM!! I have a lived with psychiatric disorders for 25 years and have been on clonazepam for 10 of those years to treat a sever anxiety disorder,this medication has worked great for me,no complaints,no terrible side effects,as long as it's taken AS PRESCRIBED,medications like these are what I call a "double edged sword",they can work wonders for people who actually need them,or they can destroy the lives of the people who never did need them in the first place,these are just a handful of people who were probably prescribed benzodiazepines for all the wrong reasons,the drug is not to blame,there are pros and cons to every drug,prescription or otherwise

I bought it when it first came out. I was on a waiting list. I got it in hopes to educate myself as well as my doctor. Really awesome manual. I recommend everyone get it if you can. It thoroughly explains alot!!!

😢. Will the comments submitted help at all ?

I left a very long comment after I figured out how to on my phone. Thanks so much for explaining things. It was a lot easier than anticipated.

Thanks Nicole. You're the best!❤

I think this should go to court and sue doctors and autohorites, cause they have known this and did not react, i have lost 30 of my 62 years cause of incompetent meds and big pharmas profit!!!!

who ever moves is GAY

What should one do if a single benzo dose triggered severe withdrawl after it wore off? Context: long term daily prescribed benzo was tapered slowly, it all was confortable and went well. After being off about 5 several single doses were taken in a period of 2 months. One dose triggered severe issues like a bomb exploded in the brain as if it was a CT. Severe mental and physical changes that caused disability when the person was completely healthy before. No other drugs, no alcohol. What should be done? Is reinstating the answer after all?

I was surprised by these expressions as well. There is no clear previous clinical consensus or recommendation.

If a single benzo dose triggered severe disabling withdrawl when it wore off, as if ir was s CT, should one reinstate?

THEY ALL KNOW. THEY HAVE HAD 65 YEARS TO LEARN ABOUT IT! TRUST ME THEY KNOW.