How to Draft a Public Comment for ASAM Clinical Practice Guidelines

We will have another free work session next Saturday, July 13th at 12pm EDT. No need to register, just show up at this zoom link: zoom.us/j/9913155194?pwd=NGk1...
If you need help submitting your comment, please email me at [e-mail]
How to submit a public comment:
Step 1: Get a blank piece of paper or open a blank word document.
Step 2. Write a factual account of what happened to you or use one of the prompts below to get you started. Here are some topic ideas w/ line and page numbers and citations ready for you: docs.google.com/document/d/1c...
Step 3. Proofread what you wrote, omitting anything that could cause the person reading it to become defensive or to ignore what you wrote.
Step 4: Open www.research.net/r/BZD_CPG to submit your comment.
List of prompts to get you writing:
What do you wish were in place during your process that would have helped? What services were missing?
What happened to you that could be prevented in other patients?
Dream solutions: what services are needed? Paid peer services, therapists in the know? Long-term programs paid by insurance? Caregiving and respite services? Outpatient deprescribing clinics?
Do’s and Don’ts
DO write as if you are writing this to a psychiatrist who doesn’t know anything about this issue
DON’T use language they wouldn’t understand or take out of context: (ie. tolerance withdrawal means something to benzo people, less so to psychiatrists and addiction medicine professionals
DON’T curse them out, even though you want to. Write that part first then delete.
DO write a FACTUAL and least-passionate narrative of what happened to you, what you wish happened instead of what you want included in ASAM clinical practice guidelines.
DO ask for help from a healing buddy or email me at [e-mail] if you need help submitting your comment.
DO ask ONE other person to submit a comment too.
Together we heal. Together we change this.
Example comments from other organizations
The Alliance for Benzo Best Practices Comments: benzoreform.org/asam-guidelin...
Benzo Information Coalition Comments: www.benzoinfo.com/2024/07/02/...
References to pull from (but not mandatory)
docs.google.com/document/d/1F...

[@nancymilligan9978]

You are the person who helped me figure out i was in Ct withdrawal.I attempted Suicide in 2015 the hospital discontinued prescribed medications Xanax and Kilonipin. I didn't find you until 2017.

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

I’m glad you’re still here. 💜

[@nonyabusiness7200]

Angie peacock is AMAZING. Such a beautiful soul! Gorgeous inside and out.

[@user-dl7yt6em6g]

Done. I told my story and posted already. I watched a nonprofit video last week and was just confused. Your video was very informative and helped me understand how to do this. Very important! Thank you

[@idesigncutethings2196]

Thank you Angie for making this important video and for explaining how to do it in detail. Travis & I are "on it" & writing out our comments to submit. ☺️

[@tash98101]

Thank you, Angie, for your willingness to help others submit a comment. When I sent the link for comments to my benzodiazepine friends, their number one concern was that they didn't have the cognitive bandwidth to make this happen on their own.

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

I know that all too well as I experienced it too. I’m here to help those that need it.

[@tash98101]

Thank you for all your support. I am working on my comments, and I hope there will be a large-scale response to this draft. This is an opportunity for all of us who have been injured by benzodiazepines to be heard!

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

@@tash98101 YES! Tell your healing buddies to make one too!

[@tash98101]

@@AngiePeacockMSW I certainly have spread the word. The number one concern from those I've spread the word to is that they don't have the cognitive bandwidth to make this happen on their own. I will let them know that you have offered to help those who are struggling to create a comment free of charge. I'll also let people know that you are doing a free workshop next Saturday, July 13th at 12 p.m. EST.

[@tonyfoltz8391]

@@tash98101

[@joannek7447]

Thank you for all of the information and encouragement. I just submitted an impact statement on the ASAM guidelines. My story is still in progress ( 18 years on K and now tapering with a very good MD) but I am an MSW with a clinical practice and many, many of my clients have been prescribed benzos for many years. I advocate for them actually more than for me. Again, thank you!

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Wonderful!

[@johnmausteller]

Omg. I’ve been on Xanax 20+ years. Not good

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Perhaps you should write a comment about what it would mean for you to taper after being on them so long. How this realization that benzos could be impacting you was not told you, ever.

[@nonyabusiness7200]

@@AngiePeacockMSW yeah you know what's crazy? I went and ASKED, and asked some more. It seemed like the Drs were told to say something specific if we asked questions because three Drs answered my questions almost identically. now ten years have passed and I'm STILL on the highest legal dosage of this stuff! I'm scared. I watched the video I have read the captions. I'm missing it or I'm just as stupid as I'm told. What's going on???? Is something about to happen?..

[@petal8651]

Just seen that anyone can submit...

[@s13283]

They MUST require physicians to COMPOUND patient’s prescriptions!!! Omg it was the hardest more it’s inducing experience of my life!

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Write your comment about that!

[@kingy231]

Thank you Angie for your work

[@hypermonki]

All done and submitted

[@Liz-lm8xk]

Ughhh already overwhelmed. I have two strokes and In the middle of my benzo taper .

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Just come Saturday! We will help you!

[@newjerseydevil6115]

I had a stroke too & dealing with domestic violence. 😢

[@stephaniebondy3416]

Thank you so very much!❤

[@user-lm7hl8zr8q]

God work Angie 💜

[@janedoe6704]

Im having to rewrite this several times to remove the emotional anger that I have about what happened.

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

That’s okay and understandable. Just know that can help you in your healing too!

[@MsRelative]

Thank yku u are giving me hope.my daughter suffered 2 Yeats still suffering 2 plus years later. As u know we're all kind of lost as to what to physically that could actually make any difference for the futtire.

[@petal8651]

Hey Angie, so good to see you. Thank you for this video, I have been feeling overwhelmed about this since Nicole's alarming video. I will get onto this&will share with everyone from REST Project UK. Warm wishes & love to you ❤ Thank you for reminding me how important this is. I think I saw someone ask in the chat if UK residents can submit, I believe that we can-right?!

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Yes anyone can! And THANK YOU for spreading the word and urging others to submit.

[@joetesmer9071]

Left a comment!

[@nonyabusiness7200]

Miss Angie are you still suffering? You do so much for us... And you don't have to. But you have, and do. Jw why you do all of this if your no longer suffering? Most people would move on and not look back. ❤ Thank you for everything you do for us who struggle and are facing terrifying stuff.... I'm honestly terrified that I'm gonna die. My nervous system went into a shock and I lost MY HAIR!!!!!!!!

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

I stay because I care. I’m a social worker. I was trained as a therapist. I cannot work in a broken system so I am helping people leave it. It is my revenge and my heart and my passion.

[@tamihenderson4500]

Angie I’m gonna trust you that I will heal taste buds will come back and my smell back to normal if you heal so can I …. I will heal

[@s13283]

Why do we have to find a line number? I guess that’s throwing me off

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Because that’s just how they know what part of the document you are commenting on. Like a placeholder.

[@jaclynpeters3892]

Angie, is this for American’s only?

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

No anyone from anywhere can submit.

[@kathleenwharton2139]

Lorazapam was the only thing made it possible for me to function! I am so extremely Grateful for them. I was having anxiety..panic attacks..insomnia..headaches and had five children to take care of. I went off them for a few years…but now have extreme muscle spasms which they are only thing helps. 😊❤

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Write a comment about your experience, please.

[@s13283]

I guess this is confusing me… where is the link to where we can submit a comment?

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Everything is in the caption of the video. Just look below the video and you’ll see everything there.

[@Nakanam1]

Hello, is this just for benzos? What about antidepressants and antipsychotics?

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

This is just for Benzo’s

[@philippgrote6554]

What do you think about doctor bashing? I am sometimes so angry. Its hard for me to hold back...

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

You have every right to be angry and bash doctors just not if you’re going to send in a comment.

[@philippgrote6554]

@@AngiePeacockMSW why not? You mean not in a comment under a doctors Post?

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

@@philippgrote6554 a public comment for ASAM> That's what this video is about. Those comments.

[@philippgrote6554]

@@AngiePeacockMSW ok got you. I am German so I might misunderstand phrasing.

[@ofearthseasky]

Can someone help me?! I did write to Angie but I just need to know how to submit my comment about my personal experience. Do I add it as page 0, line 0? TY in advance 🙏🏻

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

I’ll be working my way through the emails tonight. Hang tight. I got a lot of emails!

[@ofearthseasky]

@@AngiePeacockMSW​​⁠no worries! Just thought I’d see if someone could answer me to lighten your load. We have a few days left so I’ll be patient. Thank you 😊

[@Nick-gq2iy]

Trying to comment...my question didn’t show up! That was my first comment, as this is the first time I’m learning about this. Is this even showing up so you can see it??

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Yes I can see it but if you are posting comments not relevant to the video they will be deleted.

[@Nick-gq2iy]

@@AngiePeacockMSW thanks! My comment was relevant when it was deleted; I asked it above again regarding the Maudsley DGs, edited within my other comment & that worked. 😉👍🏼

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

@@Nick-gq2iy I believe I replied to that one. It wasn't blocked or deleted.

[@Nick-gq2iy]

Maybe some were blocked??! 🤷🏻‍♀️ May we request the the Maudsley D Guidelines be taught/used? Asked & answered! 🙏🏼

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

I don’t think anyone was blocked. Yes please put Maudsley in there as your citation and refer to it in your comments!

[@Nick-gq2iy]

@@AngiePeacockMSW ah, but this comment was moved half way down the column on my end! I’m so glad you received it, as some of mine are not allowed or deleted. Ok...shared this & know of many others who may want to help! Will contact them & see if others will help, as well! Thanks for answering me! Thanks for helping us all do this! Sometimes my brain is working! If not, I’ll ask for help, but I’m pretty good at writing...so...if I needed more things for support, should I write more than 1?? Many Love & Appreciation ♥️🙏🏼

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

@@Nick-gq2iy they get moved as more people comment. THat's just how KZbin organizes them. It's not personal! It's just the way it works here. Yes, you can write more than one comment. Write as many as you like.

[@Nick-gq2iy]

@@AngiePeacockMSW thank you regarding writing as many as I desire. I’ll watch this a few more times! ♥️🙏🏼 Regarding my comments getting buried in long comment sections, it happens in a few minutes to seconds without other comments made after mine...it may not be “personal,” but it surely does depend on what subjects & points of view I’ve held in the past to the point I had to use another email without violations claimed! Cents Or 🛳

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

@@Nick-gq2iy Okay we'll just know that KZbin is doing that. I have no control over the order of comments. I see them one by one in my notifications. If someone comments below another person's comments, it does NOT send me anything.

[@nonyabusiness7200]

What are we submitting and what's going on?!? 😭

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

It’s too late. It’s okay.

[@nonyabusiness7200]

@@AngiePeacockMSW too late?! I don't understand. Why isn't this being talked about in the benzo support groups?! I'm so lost on what's going on

[@jandigney3921]

❤

[@BLUE-cs6zv]

¿Is drinking caffeine safe while being on Ssris, Apsych, and benzos?

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

It’s up to you. Do you feel okay or is it too stimulating for your system?

[@BLUE-cs6zv]

@@AngiePeacockMSW Thanks Angie.

[@BLUE-cs6zv]

@@AngiePeacockMSW Sorry for all the questions I am always asking in your channel, but I have just one more. I'm on 1mg of Xanax, ¿What's the lowest dose I should get down to before I take it every other day to then quit it completely? .12?

[@kathleenwharton2139]

I hope your messing around doesn’t interfere with Lorazapam availability. I need them. 😊❤

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

It’s not out messing around it’s ASAM and perhaps you can submit a comment and tell them why you still need them! That’s part of what we are advocating. Have you written a comment?

[@user-bz4bn8dz9u]

Don’t no how to do this my brain is messed uo

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

Just write 3 sentences about what happened to you.

[@tamihenderson4500]

I’m talking about your email I new to this stuff

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

My email address is in the caption to the video I also spell it out very slowly at the end of the video. Here it is again: [e-mail]

[@tamihenderson4500]

@@AngiePeacockMSW I just sent a message

[@rajeshlumb8659]

41 months off much better

[@tamihenderson4500]

Please put you email address in it’s not pulling up for me

[@AngiePeacockMSW]

It’s in the caption below the video.