Jordan Peterson's Withdrawals from Xanax EXPLAINED

[@dethkon]

There’s really nothing one can say about the withdrawal that can describe it. It feels like you’re going insane, and then a seizure and you wake up in a hospital.

[@harrygorman]

💯 these 22 year old doctors are a disgrace and should take their ass back to school

[@DavidB.Fischer]

I just got off of them, 2 months ago, still getting back into the groove of things.

[@xmor3anx]

Did you have numb hands and feet

[@dethkon]

@@xmor3anx My hands were tingly but I don’t recall anything off about my feet. Well, I did have to learn how to walk again after the seizures, but that’s not really a problem with the feet lol.

[@DavidB.Fischer]

@@dethkon I have that too. I just started taking supplements, and I had better focus supplements, definitely helping counteract the effect of the benzos.

[@danielle9074]

In 2017, I was completely brought to my knees by the onset of really severe anxiety disorder. I was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. I have never been a frequent or heavy user of benzos, but I'm tremendously grateful that they exist. Thanks for making this to reintroduce some nuance. It's too easy for people to forget that mental illness can be, and often is fatal. It's sometimes justified to use higher risk drugs. Being given PRN benzodiazepines was not some kind beginning of an inexorable decline into drug addiction....it made me comfortable enough to keep living.

[@CBT5777]

If you truly knew the hell that drug brings to other human beings, you wouldn't be saying that. There are other ways to treat disorders, than to give out benzos, which are mild muscle relaxers that damage the nervous system. (Heavily!) Benzos are poison. Just because a poison makes you feel better doesn't mean you should take it. I am one who is permanently disabled from benzos. I can hardly walk and I'm 2 years clean.

[@bentonlee316]

What if u couldn't get them????even if they are giving u a better quality of life??.What if ???needing them yet cant???Then what??

[@danielle9074]

Literally nothing would happen. The ones I do have are expired. I don't "need"them...that's kind of my point. That you can take these drugs without becoming addicted, and they shouldn't be vilified..because I might not be alive if there hadn't been a way to make existing more tolerable;e when I was extremely SICK.

[@danielle9074]

2017 was six years ago dude. I'm not an acute phase of my illness. I have daily medication and most importantly, THERAPY.

[@DillPhobia]

I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW OMG. Preface, I don't get addicted to benzos. I could become dependent if I let myself, and suffer withdrawal, but not addicted. I don't like the way they make me feel. I have occasional (3-6 weeks apart) issues with convulsions keeping me up at night, and they're bad for like 2-3 hours. The only thing that calms the nerves is alcohol. So I get anxious, give up trying to sleep, and look for alcohol. And I rly don't want to drink a cocktail at 2am!! So I begged like 5 doctors for Klonopin, which I know works very well, but none of them gave me any help. Out of nowhere I got a ton of Klonopin from a dr who actually listened. As of today I haven't taken a single pill from that bottle, but just KNOWING I HAVE THEM gives me peace of mind to keep trying and calm down

[@JohnAdams-rm7zm]

12 + years Xanax free after 2mg for sleep for 10+ years ✊Xanax is very dangerous without proper care. My Sister died from Xanax seizures.. Keep on keeping on ✊😇

[@nurulutami9064]

now you sleep without meds?

[@tracynonumbers]

love the Dylan quote

[@Q1776Q]

It took me about 3 years of literal HELL ON EARTH to finally recover from short term benzo use. The symptoms were horrific and nonstop.

[@jasonsenator6144]

I was on 6mg over 10 years. He missed a few points, it's dependent on how high the dose is, how long you've been on it, and how you come off it. 6mg cold turkey was insane! Maybe would sleep 1 or 2 hours every 3 days, akathesia still after 6 years and feeling my whole body was on fire.

[@jrman413]

What symptoms did you have? How long was a short term use for you?

[@Q1776Q]

@@jrman413 I took 1MG of Ativan for 1 week and it stopped working then upped my dose to 1.5 MG for 1 more week and it stopped working... and I was starting to feel very bad before my next dose ...so I started cutting down...The first symptom I had was a complete loss of strength..(i was changing snow tires and suddenly I could barely lift them)..I still had no idea what was wrong.... Then the next day I went outside and it as WAY too bright, I couldn't stand how bright it seemed ( like when your eyes are dilated at the eye doctor). and noises became unbearable, even dropping a pen on the ground would send huge shockwaves through my body.. Then, I basically stopped sleeping..I would get 5-8 hours of nightmare filled toxic sleep PER WEEK...( i would be jolted awake every time I dozed off in pure panic) this lasted for over 2 years and was pure hell. Sever head pressure, all my teeth hurt, vertigo, wavy lines in my vision, my teeth chattered for over 2 years nonstop, SEVERE sensitivity to hot and cold ( I couldn't take a shower because it felt like boiling water and the water hurt my skin), SEVERE anxiety ( I had to have people actually help me move around because I was at times literally frozen in fear) followed by bouts of SEVERE depression... I couldn't even move off the bed....I developed agoraphobia and also monophobia...SEVERE tinnitus.... I had constant flu symptoms, constant muscle spasms and twitching and restless leg syndrome at night, I lost 30 lbs from not eating. I felt like the world was not real..like I was somehow separate from the rest of the world... Of course I lost my 20 year career... I was drenched in sweat every night and had night blindness. I could barely walk to the end of the driveway at times. ( and before this I was in top shape running 10 miles at a time and lifting weights constantly)...I was literally begging God to kill me constantly..... but I just couldn't commit suicide....there were more symptoms but you get the idea. Si I basically took Ativan for about 2 weeks...This was also the first drug I had ever taken besides antibiotics.

[@krusher181]

@@jasonsenator6144would you have any advice on coming off of 5-10mg of Valium a day? I’ve been using it for about 2-3 years… I’ve been through withdrawals before (clean off opiates after 6 years on suboxone).

[@xmor3anx]

Did u hVe numb hands and feet to

[@JM-co6rf]

Withdrawal from benzo was HELL ON EARTH. You simply cannot describe it.

[@kellymann2706]

Cold turkey after 30 years of Xanax, it was horrible, couldn't walk for weeks, so many issues, worse time of my life, I finally feel normal after 5 years of being sober.

[@rebecca3616]

@kellymann2706 I’m so sorry you suffered for so long. Your comment made me feel not so alone. I wanted to die getting off benzos. I hope to feel “normal” soon. It’s been years.

[@tross6380]

😮😮😮

[@kencabeen7786]

For any of you that think your long term benzo use is not a problem, try going without them.

[@fonzarellyplay370]

Why do you think millions of people are on it long term yet you don’t see any positive videos about it. Do you think everyone that takes it long term are all doing bad? Thanks

[@krusher181]

@@fonzarellyplay370well it’s been ruining my memory and making me apathetic. So even without withdrawals, Valium is not helping my mental health

[@mixbyreez]

Everybody who does benzos do worse or will do worse, there is no other way@@fonzarellyplay370

[@karmiccorvidae2133]

Exactly Don't take it for a few days. So anyone with all new health issues, especially neuropathy , mast cell diseases, allergies, and so so much more.

[@mrme123ee]

Um, don't stop taking the med if it makes your life better???? WTH is this kind of thinking. Are we SUPPOSED to not be on ANY drug that we have to keep taking? See the nonsense of this?

[@Veevaldimoney]

As a fellow benzo survivor, I'm very sure his experience with them have played a large role in formulating this advice. It's a hell that permanently changes you, even after recovery.

[@fonzarellyplay370]

What symptoms do you have? Do you think they are flung to last forever? Has it got any better. I was on kpins for 10 years but I used them 1-2 times a week ( only for big social events). I had social anxiety. I haven’t taken a pill in over 6 months and other then some memory issues(I smoke weed every day that might be a contributing factor) I don’t have what most people describe. I don’t feel crazy withdrawal

[@Veevaldimoney]

@@fonzarellyplay370 It lasted two years, and I was still feeling some anxiety the third. It was the feeling of having a panic attack times 100 at all times of the day and night, straight for a year, and then with windows and waves the second. A lot of doom, dread, seeing things, and s*****l ideation. It's been over for a few years now, but there are twinges once in a while. It's changed how I see the world, and I don't take any little moment of peace or tranquility for granted anymore. Even if life is hard sometimes, at least it isn't benzo hard.

[@audioworks247]

How in hell can a physician just stop this medication without tapering you off? The physician ought to work out a plan with you to help if you get into crisis mode. Hell I had to go to the Emergency Room. I'm angry that the physician just threw me under the bus and left me to die.

[@Strangedays612]

Canadian here. First time I went into the doctor for a panic attack, they offered me Ativan. Within 5 minutes. About the time it would take for me to get a tic tac. I managed to say no. Glad.

[@Redsoxman9991]

I fully support Joe and Jordan being so critical and saying these things are dangerous and are handed out dangerously like tic tacs. I honestly think it is safer to just drink if you’re having such anxiety you haven’t slept in days. It is SO easy to just start taking these regularly and become dependent on them because you think that it is safe because the doctor prescribes it to you. These are PILL VERSION OF ALCOHOL except it’s even easier to become dependent on them because you’re a bit more functional. But the withdrawals are EVEN WORSE and can last a year or more! Only in the most extreme cases cases and for short periods of time should these be taken. Be careful!

[@deegrawnz]

Just smoke a joint or take an edible if you're concerned about lung health. In terms of risk factor I believe it has the least risk unless you have a dormant mental illness that can be triggered via the psycho active component. Even CBD/CBN are pretty good for anxiety/sleep without the psycho active effects of THC if you are afraid you have a dormant disorder/just don't want to get high.

[@Redsoxman9991]

@@Rubiks.Cube89 you can die from benzo withdrawal. And yeah alcohol withdrawal is absolutely agonizing, but benzo withdrawal can go on for a year or more. Alcohol withdrawal does not.

[@Rubiks.Cube89]

@@Redsoxman9991 i know them both very well. And yeah you're right I forgot that they are the two you can die from, I don't know why I thought benzos was not one of the two they always talk about. Probably because I'm still recovering from both tbh

[@jussiniemi9560]

Coming from a northern country, I can vouch to the seasons having effect on psyche. To some people it can be quite extreme.

[@tiffanylynn8376]

It’s hard to hear ppl who don’t know the ins and outs about meditation and medication treatments talk like Joe does. Millions of people listen to his show and take what he says to heart. I appreciate what he’s trying to do by bringing topics to light and he is funny 😆 but I cringe sometimes because psychiatrist’s have to deal with the misinformation that prevent trust from the public. Thank you for clearing up a lot of this interview. Jordan Peterson is a brilliant guy but has a kit of problems. ❤

[@kevk741]

Prevent trust? How about giving proper informed consent to the drugs you are using. Tell them they can cause chronic akathisia and leave you torture on earth for eternity. Even anhedonia and a host of other crippling neurological symptoms. Not worth the risks! One of me is too many.

[@sophiapetrillo3008]

I’m incredibly grateful for Joe bringing attention to how many doctors are irresponsibly Prescribing Benzos in the US.

[@sophiapetrillo3008]

I think maybe good doctors like you Syl have a blind spot because they are out there and they are causing harm. Tapering off of Xanax (myself) is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

[@rugdoc97]

What misinformation lol

[@billyjoerancherson2637]

Fuck psychiatrists. I was severely damaged by being cold turkeyed off a long term benzo prescription. Psychiatrists do real damage to people if they’re not careful. Especially, the ones that cry victim when offered any kind of criticism of their profession.

[@CameronPage-i2k]

I’m 33, been on Xanax or Valium for about 2 years. Every time I’ve tried to come off I’ve decided life’s not worth living. I get so depressed mentally. So the positives of Xanax for Me ( like happy mood, sociable, calm, not overthinking, good sleep etc made me stay on them. I’m on between 4-6mg a day now. I went to rehab, tapered off Valium and lasted 30 days clean. The worst 30 days of my life even exercising 1hr everyday , eating healthy. With the withdrawals. I didn’t sleep for about 5 days. Zero sleep. Anxiety through the roof, brain fog. Could barely hold a social Conversation, loss of desire for enjoyable things, impending doom etc. I’m gonna start another taper now and this time get an SSRI and cbd oil ( I normally just go straight onto Valium and taper the vals) and just cut the Xanax. wish me luck!

[@bwarm1989]

You can do it I’m 34 bout to be 35 and I’ve been on some sort of benzo for around 10 years. I got up to 4mg daily of Klonopin but have taken all of them. I tapered with Klonopin extremely slowly from 2mg down to 0 in 6 months. I’ve been off for 3 months and deciding whether to continue off or not. I’ve been okay I exercise a lot and work everyday but it can be a struggle. Also I quit drinking over 11 months ago. All that work to get off I don’t want to go back but this Dr won’t prescribe more than 2 mg and my tolerance will get higher than that and then they don’t work the same almost feel more anxious cuz I feel like I need more and can’t take more. Good luck bro you got this!

[@SmackedyDoo]

Good luck to both of you.

[@AlexandreGuin-f7d]

Been off and suffer severe withdrawals for 3 months i hope it get better for everyone who experience it, death seem easy compared to this but we will get trought ❤

[@LookMissViva]

I’m not sure what the success rate and the complications is for someone who has taken Xanax 2mg for 35 years is. I can tell you that I started having panic attacks at 11 years old and my mom had panic attacks and she feared that I was going through the same thing. My parents took me to a Psychiatrist and I was prescribed Xanax and it was okayed by my pediatrician also. I don’t believe anyone knew just how dangerous this medication was at that time and I was told to take it when I would have a panic attack. I never wanted to take the medication so I would get books and any information (before the internet) I could find to learn about anxiety disorders and how to get them to stop 🛑.That was my goal since day one and I can honestly tell you that I personally knew more about panic attack’s and meditations and what breathing techniques people could do and how to taper off properly and safely than the resident Psychiatrist and medical staff in my area did,most of the terms I explained to them different ways and schedules to properly especially when patients are being tapper off because off,most doctors don’t know how dangerous it is especially for long term patients who have been taking the medication for so long. Five years ago My mother suffered a severe stroke and multiple seizures because her doctor wasn’t comfortable prescribing just that medication to her anymore, and told her good luck finding a psychiatrist to prescribe it,I found her on her bedroom floor with a broken shattered shoulder and broken leg,unconscious since the night before. I can’t imagine the fear and panic she felt she is alive and just a few months ago got her shoulder replaced finally.After the death of my grandparents and brother I decided that I was not going to have Xanax controlling my life anymore and believe me it controlled my life completely. I tapered myself down it was hell that I put myself through for a year but I noticed that I was replacing that extra dose with alcohol to get my anxiety down, so now I’m fighting 2 things now. On this day July 11,2021 I made a plan to give myself 30 days to get off alcohol because I would need the Xanax for those withdrawals and then August 11 2021 was the last day I ever took a Xanax again.The anxiety and withdrawal symptoms don’t ever go away and I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel or what I’m supposed to be experiencing because I’ve had Xanax running in my body longer than not having it. It wasn’t hard to get off of it,it is the relearning how to do things that are normally easy every day for everyone like writing,speaking,reading that has been the hardest thing for me. Everyone is different and I truly believe that we know our bodies the best,I personally know what makes me anxious and panic so going to a rehab was something that would not benefit me and would be worse, I was very grateful to find a psychiatrist that would agree to just help me with any issues that might arise and look over my plan and offer help if needed with my detox plan, I think that patients need to have more of a voice in their treatment plans and the medication that they are being prescribed,if doctors are prescribing medication that are chemically changing their brain activity a they should be aware of the risks associated with it and the options for a alternative natural treatment. I hope that this will give anyone out there that thinks it is impossible and the most terrifying thing to get off of Xanax some hope and inspiration ❤

[@FarewellFix]

Wait, so you didn't even taper off of Xanax slowly and for months or even a year or 2, you just stopped cold turkey?

[@aidannewell3242]

I appreciate your video! Very insightful with a touch of humor to it. I like how you added professional expertise to their conversation without taking anything away from it. I work in foster care in Philadelphia at the moment and I’m trying to learn as much as I can about mental health along side learning about medications and there relationship with people. Thanks again for the video!

[@anneproudfoot9342]

@0 years ago I went through a very traumatic time that lasted a year. I was hospitalizwed and put on effexor, loxapine and ativan. I was told I had schizophenia but in later years was diagnosed with depression with psychosis when I get severely depressed. A year ago I came off effexor and loxapine because I developed Tardive Dyskinesia. I stayed on 2 mg of Ativan. The Ativan doesnt work any more and I will come off it as well. I feel better than I have in years. I am happier, smarter, emotionally stable and more active. i dont know why I stayed on those meds so long. Now I am dealing with minor TD in mouth and getting treated by naturopath and accupuncturist.

[@Romana6794]

What is... TD? When you say TD in the mouth, I mean. I've been getting off bendezepines for several months after being on them for 13 years when I was, only 17 when they prescribed me to them. I have struggled with this, I don't even know how to put it into words exactly... Contortion of my mouth. Like my tongue tensing and pulling tightly to the back of my mouth extremely hard.

[@Romana6794]

And I've just not known what you even call it, when going to the doctor. If there's treatment that gives it relief that you have any knowledge of I would really appreciate it If you could pass it along. Tx

[@Jgordo111jdg]

Been on benzos for 13 years. Been tapering off for 9 months now and it’s extremely difficult for me to function in society . I’ve been living off family the whole time and tried getting jobs only to have panic attack and not show up the first day. Family is growing impatient with me and I don’t know what to do I feel like I might end up homeless

[@amandayouksee1724]

Im.in the same boat, i dunno wat tooo do

[@Jgordo111jdg]

@@amandayouksee1724 update: started working anyway and decided that if I feel awkward or embarrass myself oh well out of my control

[@MLarios97]

Push through or suffer the consequences

[@Jutsch80HD]

For me, the shocking thing was to realize how how often Xanax is used for long term treatment in the US. I talked to a doctor here in Austria about it a couple of years ago and she said clearly, that in most cases she would put people with Anxiety disorder or regular panic attacks on SSRIs and only prescribe Xanax for 4 -5 weeks max until the SSRIs start kicking in fully because of the high risk of addiction to Xanax compared to SSRIs.

[@dethkon]

Yeah but SSRIs don’t work. Not like benzos do.

[@Jutsch80HD]

@@dethkon they certainly work, but differently. Instead of an immediate reaction it takes a few weeks for SSRIs to kick in. For that short amount of time only, Benzos should be given because in those weeks, the SSRIs can actually worsen the symptoms. SSRIs can’t be used as recreational drugs, if you meant that by „work“?

[@dethkon]

@@Jutsch80HD I’m just a frustrated anxiety patient. I find the supposed anxiolytic properties of SSRIs to be terribly ineffective, especially compared to benzodiazepines, which are highly effective (and dependence-forming, obviously). I really wish that modern medicine had a better solution to anxiety disorders, if they’re thinking about getting rid of long-term benzo prescriptions. SSRIs just are not going to cut it for most people.

[@Jutsch80HD]

@@dethkon I’ll look into the research but for me they helped greatly, for you apparently they didn’t help. But a sample of 2 people is worthless. Gonna look into studies

[@dethkon]

@@Jutsch80HD Please let me know what you find! I’m not a university student anymore so I don’t have access to journals or studies.

[@TheNurseWhoLovedMe89]

I really appreciate how open you are about benzos and how realistic your approach is too. I have PTSD and I’m so grateful that my psychiatrist is open to them being used as needed. He gave me guidelines for how many are reasonable to use per week (a specified number for good weeks and a slightly higher number for bad weeks), but with the long term goal being that I won’t need them at all. The psychiatrist makes sure I’m still seeing my clinical psychologist every other week, and I mark on my calendar which days I use benzos on to keep track of it (and so my psychiatrist and clinical psychologist can check the amounts too). I feel like other doctors I’ve seen think of benzos as them just making you feel really good etc, but for me it means that I don’t end up in a freeze response for hours at a time. They don’t make me feel good; they keep me from losing literal hours of my day stuck in frozen terror. They keep me functional - for now at least, because one day I won’t need them to be functional 🤞🏻 They’ve honestly made my life so much better, and all it took was a psychiatrist who was willing to give me a chance to prove that I could be trusted to use them responsibly. As a side note: this is all in conjunction with an evolving medication regime outside of just the benzos, but this comment is long enough without going into all of that too 😅 In any case, thank you for making videos about different medications - they’re really interesting and your thoughts and opinions are always refreshing 🤗😇✨

[@scottmatznick3140]

Please be careful. Drugs don't make your life better, and thinking that they do is the slippery slope that creates many an addict. They might help you forget the bad for a while, but the problem with "one day I won't need them to be functional" is that your body will one day show you that you need them even more to be functional, and you won't realize that until you think you don't need them anymore. Please be careful. Your comment is well-meaning, but also a naive mindset which led me down a bad path.

[@TheNurseWhoLovedMe89]

@@scottmatznick3140 I have a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist both monitoring my progress very closely, and have done for a couple years now. I’m very aware of the risks involved and wouldn’t be using these medications without close and consistent medical supervision. I’m under no illusions as to what they do; and I WISH they could make me forget the bad stuff for a while, but they don’t. They just mean that I can leave my house without having panic attacks or going into prolonged freeze responses, both of which will get better over time with trauma therapy from my clinical psychologist (that I see every other week). I appreciate that your comment is well intentioned too, but I assure you I have not entered into a treatment plan with my psychiatrist and clinical psychologist without being fully aware of the risks involved and without knowing what my psychiatrists long term goals are for me medication wise. I’d always recommend everyone have a medical team which they work with and are monitored by closely to avoid any habit forming behaviour.

[@MichaelJLink]

Take a look at some videos from @BzInfoCoalition... they will make you think twice about taking benzos at all.

[@saathoff1220]

I will never stop using Xanax, it saved my life. I would off myself without it. I have had CPTSD all my life to the point where I couldn't function at all, even after 27 years of therapy. I never drink so no worry there.

[@RHExperience103065]

Xanax withdrawal is pure hell that plain and simple and unless you’ve gone through it you’ll never know I wish it upon nobody. I still suffer 10 years from the withdrawal.

[@Tawroset]

About 6 years here.

[@fonzarellyplay370]

Do you think it’ll be for the rest of your life?

[@Beyond59]

I got to know how do you guys end up talking this stuff longer then 2 weeks?

[@fonzarellyplay370]

@@Beyond59 yeah if it’s not meant to be taken long term how are these people on it long term? Makes no sense

[@Beyond59]

@@fonzarellyplay370 ikr

[@TomJones-op9nj]

1981 …..in the US …..Jordan is a very stressful person ….he had all the backlash …and I believe his wife was also dealing with some serious health issues ….his daughter as well ….she seems great now …thank God ….I wish only the best for Jordan and his family …he has helped many many people …let’s cut the guy a break

[@SIRRUBADUBDUB]

I hope JR was not talking over JP the whole time as it seems from this edit. Its tempting to focus on demonising benzos - whilst losing sight of the terrible situation ppl endure before - if - they get to benzos. Some ppl do not make it... there is good reason for benzos - and its good to be mindful of that as well

[@JustBHonest]

Yes it does cause numbing in the hands and a cold numbing sensation

[@nebegdjelloul]

Yes, sometimes like a burn, also in legs

[@mollywhitman5219]

Lost 17 years to Xanax living as a zombie. I honestly missed out on a normal life with my family. My kids missed out on having a real parent. stay away from benzos!

[@trmp9923]

How did you quit

[@mollywhitman5219]

Had a dr taper me down slowly. Still not completely off. But my dosage is down.

[@kareendeveraux1847]

Stay away from shrinks. The other classes of psych drugs create similar dependency, just because the problem with those drugs hasn't been officially acknowledged, doesn't mean there isn't one. Psychiatry is a deadly scam.

[@mrme123ee]

Ever think about how "normal" your life, and family, would have been without the meds?

[@mrme123ee]

If you need to quit, then taper very very very slowly. The condition(s) they were addressing will most likely return. @@trmp9923

[@xy-qy2yg]

Even with a taper it is life ruining. I don't understand why they put poor alcoholics on benzos, they are insanely more potent than alcohol.

[@BenzoBelly]

100% agree

[@BeReal918]

I'm 42yr old & have seen or had many different "PCP's" (Primary Care Physicians). About 8 yrs ago, I go see a new Dr., who had just started practicing medicine again (at age 81) after retirement. Anyway, I get to know him very well over the next few years and he finally tells me why Benzos are so "dangerous". He said: _"It's because they work _*_too well_*_ and NOTHING will ever compare to it's effectiveness in treating panic disorder."_ Thus, the patients only want benzos & never want to stop, which is obviously a problem.

[@333thelc]

Rogan is not wrong there- many doctors have historically handed it out like candy. I've only ever taken prescribed benzos in my life, and I've been on them for almost 20 years. Now with the new laws in the US, I'm terrified that a new psychiatrist I'll be seeing soon might try to take me off. It's too late for me, I have a heart condition and I don't think I'd live through even a taper given how I badly had reacted to taper attempts in the past. Maybe Australia is different, but in the US they certainly have been as available as tic tacs until Covid.

[@jordanmedwell]

There is no way to accurately explain Benzo withdrawal to somebody who hasn’t been there. It’s like dying and going into the depths of hell. Nobody should be allowed to take them any longer than a week or two, if that! Im still in a state of what feels like a psychosis from the withdrawal. Severe sensory and tactile distortion. Dissociation to the point of daily amnesia - no sense of time, days, months or year. It’s just semantics but means nothing. You can’t focus on anything, you become completely emotionally detached from the world. Your family and friends become strangers, the world becomes terrifying. Constant sensory overload. Proprioception and interception issues, anhedonia, ME symptoms, severe screaming tinnitus, skin feels like constant sunburn. Loss of indentity, constant flashbacks of things bad things from your life for no reason, even flashbacks of bad dreams whilst awake. And on and on. I’m trying every hour to stay alive. Don’t take them

[@insideout277]

What you are describing reminds me on how it felt to be a junky, means mixing all the substance you can get including benzos and opiates. You literally become an alien and don’t recognize or remember who you used to be. Other people around you don’t respect you and after a while you look down on yourself too. Our rock bottom level is almost limitless and not always one can come back to normal even if you try your best. But it absolutely possible. But yes I know just the benzo alone is undesirable difficult because as a former junkie I knew I was in trouble, but not always the case with people on medication just benzo. You think you are a normal person until you releases you are not when trying to get off, or come to a point they doesn’t work anymore. Also people on benzo has been tricked by the doctor and never had a addiction problem. But the brain develop tolerance. And becomes dependent. But from a addiction perspective we have problems with both if you know I mean. The good news is when you rise yourself up from that hell you become “ professor “ in health and know the difference between good and bad in a deeper level than ever before. You have studied different forms of energies and view the word from a different angle and perspective. The pain and all the things you have gone through makes you realize who you truly are as you have experience all the contrast from the negative reflection of reality of yourself. The truth is nether good or bad but knowledge is comparing both side to each other. And from that I think balance is the most healthy state of mind. And to find the balance again I think we have to push the body and mind through exercise in different forms to get back to the natural self.

[@fonzarellyplay370]

How are you now?

[@SmackedyDoo]

This sounds very VERY similar to my experience tapering off of Klonopin 2.5mg (daily taken for 10 years as prescribed) to 0mg within 3 months. Absolute nightmare.

[@FarewellFix]

How long did you taper off?

[@BenzoBelly]

Dang! I felt 100% exactly with your experience. Even it's been 6 month off. It's totally hell every minute!

[@welder1357]

Thank you for helping me walk through this video. I had just watched it without any reaction or interpretation. I'm in a position currently where this could have been an interview with me. My story is very very similar. Fyi, I have taken you for a walk around my subdivision. You're riding in my right hip pocket. In one of the interviews, Jordan Peterson says that walking 10 to 12 mi a day saved his life.

[@Maryyeung12894]

Benzos can be very dangerous but also could be the only thing that controls people’s seizures. When no other medication can. You also try to take the lowest dose and longest half life and slowest onset of action so less “addicting/habit forming”. Though they still can be. Banning them is ludacris as some conditions can only be treated by them such as certain types of seizures.

[@MrDcrules]

Magnificent video. Thank you. I’ve been on klonopin for over 25 years. I’ve also been on SSRIs, but they have not helped my anxiety, OCD, etc. so I’ll have to work to get off both of these meds over time.

[@ChadGraves-h3g]

Hey Dr. Heads up SSRIs dont work for anxiety or panic attacks.

[@Tempo50]

Actually, Lexapro is a SSRI and it’s mainly used for anxiety. Depression as well but mainly anxiety. It isn’t fast acting like a benzo.

[@BuddhatheRockstar]

Thank you for this! Been using a long long time for anxiety. Knowing others have been through this is super important. New sub.

[@danielt9656]

When I first heard this story and heard Peterson going on about “oh I had no idea these drugs could cause dependence, I was not made aware blah blah blah”. I was just like seriously dude, you’re a fucking psychologist ? Or psychiatrist ? Not sure. Either way you should be ashamed that you’re a professional in the mental health field and “have no idea benzos cause serious addiction”. I could have told you that at 16 years old when I first started extensively researching psychoactive drugs. Massive cop out in my opinion.

[@morgan3625]

dude you have no idea. my mum literally called the doctor to prescribe me diazepam for panick attacks and I shit you not it took about 30 seconds and the call was over. I didn't even talk to her myself. the doctor also gave me an entire months worth.

[@ufcrules1]

100%. They absolutely do hand them out like candy. Same with antidepressants. This guy is clueless. Joe Rogan was spot on with that comment.

[@thereasalewis3942]

If you need ideas for more videos, I'd be super grateful for some on Autism. Specifically 'non-verbal'. Thank you so much for all your videos you make Dr Syl. You are thorough with your analysis and I learn so much from the information you share.

[@beetlejuice1209]

Have you ever taken benzo's? How can you say they don't cause pain?! I'm withdrawing off benzo's and I'm in agony some days all over (it's not anxiety!!!)

[@lonnievisch6009]

Also antidepressants give protracted after acute WD. Now in my 42 month. Almost better after terrible years..

[@isonation.]

9:10 “If you ever want me to come with you to a GP or a doctor”. In the U.S. most GPs and doctors have no knowledge on benzo tapering. They only know how to prescribe them and take them away (cold turkey). I’m tapering on my own. 95% of doctors (even “sleep specialists” and “benzo informed” doctors) don’t know what the Ashton Manual is. That’s my litmus test. Prescribing benzos without informing patients of the nightmare withdrawal symptoms should be grounds for malpractice.

[@sunrises3806]

As crazy as this sounds, smoking cigarettes while withdrawing will help you feel normal. The nicotine competetively agonizes the NMDA receptor, and prevents glutamine (because benzo withdrawal is essentially glutamine excitotoxicity) from binding to the NMDA receptor. Also if you can get a psychiatrist to prescribe it, memantine is an alosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor and will similarly prevent glutamine from binding to NMDA receptor sites.

[@hollifieldk6749]

I take lamictal, so this would be beneficial also? I appreciate any advise you can offer. In the midst of tapering after 40 years continuous use. Thank you!

[@sunrises3806]

@@hollifieldk6749 Lamotrigine already appears to be an inhibitor of glutamine by inhibiting voltage gated positively charged sodium channels, its pharmacodynamics are not the same as a benzodiazepine. Please consult with your doctor if you want to quit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXWYY6yYi6hkp7s

[@sean13]

INFORMED CONSENT is almost always missing and they’re over prescribed and prescribed for years and even decades when it should never be taken regularly for longer than 2 weeks. This stuff can destroy your brain and result in an anxiety like you cannot imagine and it’s inescapable for months or years. Doctors have ZERO idea. Muscle cramping, twitching, tightness. Heart palpitations. Blood sugar issues. Confusion. Extreme memory loss. Doctors prescribe it for insomnia; muscle cramps etc. Doctors really have no idea how horrific it can be. It’s NOT addiction. Your vocabulary clearly shies your ignorance. Physical dependence is nit addiction. For 50+ years this poison has destroyed lives. It’s nit new information. It creates lifelong customers who are broken and destroyed. Perfect business plan

[@xy-qy2yg]

I took for 5 days and I'm fried. My life is over at 25. And all I wanted was understand what was happening to me and therpay from cortisone that was given for clogged ears. I hate the medical community.

[@fonzarellyplay370]

@@xy-qy2yg I’m sorry to hear that. That is very strange, I seem to be the only person in the world that has been on them for over 10 years (I took them once or 2 times a week) I haven’t taken. Pill in over 6 months and feel fine

[@xy-qy2yg]

@@fonzarellyplay370 you are very lucky. You have a strong brain, mine is very sensitive. I cannot handle alcohol and benzos are very potent alcohol basically.

[@fonzarellyplay370]

@@xy-qy2yg are you doing better now days? It seems like we both are a very rare case when it comes to a substance. I pick on day out of the week or 2 weeks, I have social anxiety so any event that has the most amount of socialization i need to take my meds, then I take a 1-2 week break. It seems to me that was the best way to go about it so I won’t get addicted to

[@jenshockley805]

Yes

[@dutyofcall7659]

It's actually true that doctors giving benzodiazepines to literally all patients right away if they have some unspecific psychiatric symptoms, even my doctors wanted to give it to me and I told her "fuck no!".

[@adamwhitfield5571]

What do you do to fix debilitating anxiety, hairloss, cfs, and zero libido?? She has been off for 3 years. Nothings better.

[@tracynonumbers]

she feels awful and would benefit from soft cuddles that don't have to lead anywhere she's anxious bc she can't get anything done and is grieving and embarassed to be ill take the focus off her deficits and know that she needs you never to judge do what she can do with her and make it fun I wish you both the best and hope there is some lil progress

[@MrDcrules]

I am grateful for the points made here that benzodiazepines can help people. For those of us with chronic, unremitting anxiety (I had early PTSD as a kid), these meds can be life savers. But they eventually don’t work like they used to.

[@waynegrow]

When you're left to figure it out all alone and then get severely kindled by general anesthetic from a septorhinoplasty surgery that very nearly took my life and at the time wish it did. The complications of finding people on a diazepam prescription so I could find my tolerance then start tapering. Like trying to land a Boeing 747 without any knowledge and being blind. How the hell I figured it out is nothing short of a miracle

[@jasonsenator6144]

Jordan Peterson is 100% correct. I came off 6mg clonazapam after ten years cold turkey. I would have the same exact feelings of my whole body being on fire, would get jolts through my arms and legs. It's pure hell. Torture truly is. I'm just 6 years off and had to go in and get an Ashton Manuel taper because my local doctor wouldn't give me a taper when I was begging for life for one. Don't worry about the medication or whatever your trying to say to defend benzo use is exactly what they told me and I almost truly died. And just like Peterson said death would be much easier but for the love of my family I fight through this he'll. Just because your a doctor doesn't make you know what it's like to have cancer or something and unless your a dog who specializes I'm benzo use disorder you really should do some more research. Even if me and Jordan Peterson are the only two who's life's were destroyed by this drug, it still should be taken extremely seriously! It's far worse than opiate withdrawal by far. It's like if opiate withdrawal lasted two years every day, feels as hard as that first day.

[@ashtonkuypers4501]

Im addicted to benzos by my own stupid recreational use and I cant even fathom going back to a dose that strong daily was your doctor trying to murder you 6mg a day is insane not saying my use isnt problematic

[@mrme123ee]

Why did you come off as you described and expect not to have the symptoms? You could had died. I don't get the thinking process. And then you conclude by blaming the med???? That's a wild train of thought.

[@jasonsenator6144]

@mrme123ee because that's what they did when I couldn't get a taper and checked into a hospital for detox. The hospital took Mr off cold turkey

[@mrme123ee]

So, you where actually able to get admitted somewhere and go through a "chemical" detox to speed up the process?

[@Maryyeung12894]

Doctors DO NOT HAND IT OUT LIKE TIC TACS in my experience. Ever.

[@susanabyad4396]

I think now drs realize about benzos.

[@petrhorak3268]

@@susanabyad4396Yeah they realize… First they give you this until they say “no more”. Enjoy the WD… I got cold turkey withdrawal… It is hell!

[@iancampbell8697]

I have been addicted to Benzodiazepines for 38 years, and in a tapering program supervised by an excellent Psychiatrist. I'm going slowly with the tapering, but am down to 40 % of my regular dosage. My Doctor is being careful as my side effects are "mild" compared to someone stopping too fast. That can kill you, so this is not a DIY project!

[@FarewellFix]

I've been on 18 years. 4mg of Xanax ER. Do you feel like you're getting all the withdrawal effects that all these people talk about?

[@gaylecheung3087]

I’m finally getting off my prescription at Price Roman which was prescribed to me over 30 years ago I’m down to 1 mg / 0 mg. Trying to fix what am I to use the first year was the Rangers I saw Everest specialist in Nashville for something that was unbearable. Typos not gonna fix it over in domino pains, muscle pain joint pains syringes horrendous. Yeah a lot of typos I’m dictating… 0 mg by April 2023… still experiencing withdrawal

[@johncrow6123]

you live in a perfect world and sound like a robot giving the perfect answer about addiction millions are

[@shaunnarochelle]

maybe it's harder these days but back in 2000s I had an 18 year old friend being prescribed xanax claiming anxiety. ofcourse he didn't really need them he was using them to get high. he said it was really easy to get them. needless to say he became a complete ghoul with insane anxiety, paranoia and sickness. ovbs he wasn't taking them responsibility by why did his doc ever think he needed them ? he was fine before, maybe not completely but nothing like what he became after. he was on them for agessss months. not everyone has a responsible doctor and is responsible themselves. maybe he was going to different docs I dunno. but stories like this are all over the place. when I was 17, I went to my gp asking for my contraception pill to be changed because I was feeling a little moody. she asked me about 3 questions (having never met me before) and concluded "I think you might be depressed." then prescribed me antidepressant. I DID NOT ask for them or even indicate that I wanted them. no talk of councilling, other treatments. I wasn't prescribed Xanax but if a doc is willing to throw antidepressants to a 17 year old with no further action ("hey maybe you might want to discuss this with your parents before you make a decision?"), I don't find Joe's statement hard to believe.

[@steph7960]

You ll find most doctors are incredibly defensive when this is insinuated. Why so many patients are gaslighted by their own doctors. The medical industry is like a cult. If you put across any constructive criticism, 9/10 times, their egos cannot deal with it, realising your industry that has been propped on a pedestal for years, is in fact awfully corrupt. This is not just about benzos or ssri s. This is ALL pharmaceuticals. Look at the damage the covid vaccine has caused and most doctors are still unwilling to take any kind of responsibility that has been caused to their patients, from THEIR decision making and the fact they chose to make money per shot, rather than consider safety for their patients.

[@karmiccorvidae2133]

Its tolerance withdrawal. Med becomes parodoxal as well.

[@laurennutt726]

I think it’s wonderful that you seem to have a grasp on the potential risk of serious benzo withdrawal. And I’m making the assumption you would always share that information with the clients you prescribe them to. The unfortunate truth is that Jordan and many, many other people, including myself, were not informed of the risks associated with taking benzos. In fact, my doctor said he wouldn’t be worried if I just stopped taking it (this was after several years of daily use). Of course, you always should assess whether the benefits outweigh the risk. And benzos can absolutely be helpful for short durations in specific situations. However, that has not been the experience of many. And the whole taper schedule within the medical community is garbage. Like Jordan, it took me almost 2 years to taper off a low dose of a benzodiazepine. I’ve seen recommendations for tapers lasting a few weeks or months. It’s important that you know that a few weeks or months is not a doable schedule for many people. It can be a very, very long and uncomfortable process…and that’s more normal than you might think!

[@Ameliamaemay1990]

Jordan Peterson is a psychologist….he knew the risks.

[@marcellustone]

@@Ameliamaemay1990 I Don't think that he as a psychologist knew the risks. He ain't a psychiatrist therefore not trained in the medical field.

[@patrickcorcoran4828]

@@marcellustone The suite of benzodiazapine drugs have been one of the most prescribed group drugs since the 1970s. There is no way a competent psychologist is ignorant of them just because they aren't an MD. I have two friends who are psychologists who say Jordan Peterson was either the dumbest person to ever get a psychology degree or he's lying about drug seeking behavior because it would make him look bad.

[@Jeremy-th5pt]

Have you ever taken benzos for a few weeks straight? Good luck with your books and degrees because you will be hooked. All that literature and logic goes out the window.

[@fonzarellyplay370]

I was on them for about 10 years and haven’t taken a pill in over 6 months. I only took them 1-2 a week (only for big social events). I didn’t have any withdraw. I had some memory issues but I do smoke weed every day so maybe that was the reason but I feel fine

[@BenzoBelly]

​@@fonzarellyplay370weed/cbd just mask your benzo wd. Try to get off any psychotropic and I guarantee that you wouldn't say the same thing anymore.

[@michaeljecassidy]

I was on them for 14 years straight. The last one was clonazepam. Coming off took three attempts. Eventually I titrated it using milk and slowly cut down. It took 20 weeks and it was just fine. The thing is to do it really slowly. It's all about patience. I'll disagree with the doctor here about one thing: it's certainly not the hardest thing you'll ever do. Coming off Parkinson's medicine for restless leg syndrome after the medication augmented was way harder. That took about 20 weeks too. And coming off Effexor was way way worse. Farck! I would take benzos again, no problem. But I would chop my arm off before I took Effexor ever again. I think a lot of the problem with benzo users is too high doses and failure to taper slowly enough.

[@joy.73]

Find your Monday medication videos helpful. Appreciate it. I'd be interested in topic on prescription stimulants in general or for performance enhancement purpose.

[@gaylecheung3087]

I have have, and it still have that symptom of some numbing of the hands the pain, but not as severe, but it does go numb at times

[@danielball4272]

It ABSOLUTLY causes Pain in the hands. like pain that is indescribable!

[@toribern419]

Joe Rogan is the best. Love him he’s so funny. 🤍love Jordan too.

[@mariyololoeva]

Hi! You said that in some countries there is not enough sun in winter and this increases the depressive state. Tell me, in your opinion, do I need to take melatonin or vitamin D as a preventive measure in winter?

[@leskac5295]

Well, but very often people started taking benzo prescribed by doctors, and without any knowledge how dangerous it could be . What's more prescribed not by psychiatrist but just family doctor...what has happened to my wife...and what's the most important people left with dangerous information that you could taper it in 2 weeks...what in fact could be fatal.

[@curtiscollins2174]

Can't taper from Xanax if under unneeded stress. Ask God for help and he will help you. Worked for me.

[@zerodelta4759]

I have also had the terrible pain in my hands. I found that actively managing my Diabetes reduced the occurrence.

[@piotrszeligowskiweltsportv5859]

Can someone explain to me how it is that you are a therapist and you have to know how it works and what the consequences are and you get yourself into trouble?

[@viohleta]

I don’t agree with you. I’ve been on Xanax very short term and on a very low dose and still had withdrawal symptoms. I don’t think it’s good for anyone to take tbh because the rebound anxiety is that much worse and it only masks the problem

[@yonasmengs1054]

That was a good one. It would be nice if you can do other talk shows related to mental health.

[@TheNurseWhoLovedMe89]

I’d absolutely love to watch Dr Syl as a guest on other shows! 😱🤩😃

[@joecephus4151]

Benzos have been around over 50 years. Pretty sure my grandma was hooked on them back in the 70s-80s.

[@struglrt]

Cant you take Gaba to help withdraw?

[@wademartin4036]

Gabapentin? Yes you can

[@lolly5657]

Yea I was prescribed Benzodiazepine when I was disassociating at work. I was to take half when needed. Eventually I just didn't take them... Even though I may have needed them... But didn't want to go back to doctor.

[@helpubroker]

My daughter was kidnapped and raped a few years ago let alone almost dying in a automobile accident. I think ill be on klonopin forever

[@4D2M0T]

Im having rebound anxiety tapering off diazepam 2 months, i started to taper because i was having tolerance withdrawal even after 2 months

[@PolPot-si7cz]

At what doses of diazepam and how long were you taking it?

[@SilentRunningRedux]

One comment: I take issue with the claim that anyone discontinuing Benzodiazepines (via a taper or cold turkey) : “is the hardest thing you will ever do in your life.” First, we need pit compare suffering or challenges and make someone’s suffering the “winning” suffering. With all due respect, so many many people hangs come to mind that I believe ARE worse and harder by far, though again it’s not “useful” to compare suffering. EG: , growing up in a war zone, being forced to be a child soldier, having your child murdered in front of you (or losing a child to any cause), accidentally killing someone while driving a car (and let us specify “not drunk”), killing other humans (soldiers not civilians) in war (because that was the remit, the duty); seeing one’s s fellow soldiers felled and you yours of living and losing a limb (or three), being tortured physically or psychologically or starved as a child (anywhere: in a “first” or “third” world country). It’s a small pint perhaps but it matters to a lot of people not to have their challenges written off as less difficult than benzodiazepine (use, via RX) recovery. ☮.

[@SilentRunningRedux]

* we need ‘NOT’; rather than we need “PIT.” Sorry for the typo; and I cannot edit it just now in the original comment. Ditto “HANGS” which is “CHALLENGES.”

[@SilentRunningRedux]

Sorry about the typos in my comment below. I should be asleep. I cannot edit from the device I’m on for some reason. I replied to my comment (just below) in case anyone actually wonders what I was attempting to say and cannot edit it in your head without any effort at all. Cheers.

[@malcomgladstone]

Xanex has been around since 1981 , and its been known its a bitch to come off .. for over 20 years its amazing that DR P had no clue . I think he's fibbing

[@dgunn2817]

When I started taking benzos in 2001 they actually handed them out like tic tacs. Literally. Anybody could get them for any reason in the US anyway. Since then it's a lot different.

[@ErinAllen-qe7fy]

I was prescribed Xanax in 2005 -fresh off a 6 year OxyContin habit. I’m 43 now and wish I was never prescribed Xanax bc now I’m so many years deep. I want to taper but I’m afraid. I have had 3 major C spine surgeries (plus carpal tunnel on both hands) in the last 7 years so it’s about keeping pain low. As a recovered opiate addict despite chronic pain I can’t take opiates. Bit of a pickle im in here. The fear of protracted benzo WD scares me for my hard earned opiate sobriety….I sincerely appreciate that these convos are happening & the 411 in general is helpful. Ty!

[@wingman4668]

“That’s not fair at all” brother man has not been in the hospitals and clinics I’ve seen 💀💀💀

[@Sonzoul1]

Dr Syl said it well. These medications are dangerous and also help some people. We all wish to live without medications, have no mental health issues but this is life and we have to live with it.

[@larissa_7729]

Been on Klonopin for over 15 yrs. Everytime they try and taper I have an acute cardiac issue- heart attack even with lowering by 0.25mg or less

[@staceychafin3457]

Psychiatrists may not hand it out like tic tacs but GP’s were here in the states for a long time because that’s how I got it. Xanax caused me to black out and drive a car! I didn’t hurt anyone but the fact that I could have devastated me and I never touched them again. Scary stuff

[@riclee9504]

I was dumb,a girl I was dating gave me bottles of Ativans. They really helped me for a few months. Now I don't know how to get off. I have epilepsy too

[@meadowlarkb.427]

Please do some videos on Bipolar Disorder. People so often think that I must be dangerous or psychotic because I take an antipsychotic (Seroquel) as a mood stabilizer. Can you also address "mixed" episodes? They are poorly understood, at least by many people. Thanks!

[@rogers1609]

Valium at low dose ... is a really helpfull drug . Tolerance will follow with enough use but the upside is the long half life , meaning titration off the drug ,given enough time is really quite manageable. Valium can be very safely used for less than 10 days . That is quite a therapeutic window of time . The same can be said of opiates.. Addiction is in the person not the drug . Medicine in Australia right now has forgotten that ....with devastating results . Hopefully a more mature nuanced attitude regards medicating pain and anxiety may one day be reinstated.

[@amber76OH]

Quite curious about your thoughts on conversion disorder . Ive been researching it and came across your channel. Love your work! Salud 💛, from ☀️California, USA

[@michaelsuder486]

Kind of ironic that withdrawal can cause seizures yet i am prescribed Klonopin for my epilepsy. Plus they gave my wife Ativan to prevent her from going into status epilepticus. However, it is extremely helpful when my regular anti convulsants arent doing their job for a day or two

[@sadderwhiskeymann]

9:37 the metaphysical substrate of his ethos was compromized. it would take 40 weeks to explain what he was going through!! 🤣😂🤣

[@lonewolf_za]

Joe isn't completely wrong about them being handed out like tic tacs though. I think it should be looked at in context to how they are regulated in different countries. I live in South Africa and here it is incredibly easy to get yourself a benzo prescription. There are truly doctors out there that will prescribe them without a proper medical diagnosis or just because a patients feels they need them. The problem I have with this stuff is I don't think that a General Practitioner / Primary Care Physician should be allowed to prescribe them (here in South Africa and a few other countries they are allowed to). My PCP put me on them after diagnosing me with anxiety after a 5 minute examination. 3 months later I found myself in the emergency room having a heart attack because my symptoms were actually from coronary artery disease. Once again I was prescribed xanax for PTSD after going through a heart attack at only 31 years old. I have now been on them for about 2 years and can feel the dependence really kicking in. There's nothing I would love more than to get off benzos.

[@prpettifor2230]

I was on Valium for 20 years on a dose of 10-100mg over that period, the last 10 years I was on 30mg per day due to a complete fuck-knuckle of a Psychiatrist who got me so used to the drug that I needed such a high dose of it for it to be effective. It was hell to come off of, I found coming off 200mg of Morphine Cold Turkey a damn site easier than coming off Valium. It took me a good 10 months before I could truly say I felt ‘normal’ - whatever the hell THAT is 🙄 I’m trying to learn what my new ‘Normal’ is not-sedated 😂

[@FarewellFix]

How long did you taper off of Valium for and how much did you decrease it by each week/month?

[@eye4justice869]

Nerve pain. Tingling/burning in the body IS A WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOM! GET THE MAUDSLEY DEPRESCRIBING GUIDELINES AND READ ❤

[@Carl-nj1op]

Interesting thoughts, charmingly expressed. This is the only time I felt unambiguously sympathetic to Jordan Peterson, what a terrible, terrifying ordeal to go through.

[@sospita_]

I was way better off on my hydrocodone than I am on this benzo. It’s giving me tremors, seizures, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, weight, gain, fatigue. I’m not the same person I used to be at at all. Dr. totally miss prescribed. Prescribed on a daily basis and hydrocodone was working for me for years and I much rather be on that at least I can function.

[@sospita_]

I just want to add that I don’t drink or do drugs at all and I haven’t been tapering. This is just because I haven’t raised my dosage. So just because I’ve been on the same dose for five years I’m starting to have withdrawal symptoms because if I don’t increase my dose, my body feels like it’s tapering.

[@BenzoBelly]

​@@sospita_ I'm sure you're on tolerance withdrawal that you need higher dose to feel the same effect. Tapering down slowly, it will difficult but overcome benzo it still worthed than you using it for long term.

[@scottshaw1714]

My hands and feet are killing me .

[@ManwithNoName-t1o]

1:50 that music in the background was freaky

[@scottshaw1714]

I took prescriptions 4mg Clonazepam every night for 38 years , Quit CT .😱I’m in my 7 th year of fibromyalgia, bad akathisia and the rest of the long term bullshit from taking this MG🤬Drug .👊🙏

[@BelleResells]

coming to this one after watching the girl who shared her manic episode. in America it is very hard to get help. you have to see the doctor enough times for them to believe that you are a danger to yourself, and instead of referring you to a psychiatrist or therapist, it's "here's some celexa" or two years prior "here's zoloft" they are just throwing darts in the dark. meanwhile, you could have PTSD from an abusive relationship or bipolar disorder that isn't helped by commonly prescribed SSRI's. i was diagnosed with manic depressive disorder at 15, when I was baker acted (florida Highschool). earlier this year, i was diagnosed with Persistant Depressive Disorder. so which one is it? are doctors just going to keep prescribing me different medications until it works, or to find out that it actually doesn't? All i want is to find help so I don't waste another decade.

[@alenademovic7353]

Very bizarre that a psychologist didnt know about the dangers of benzodiazapines.

[@michaelsuder486]

Im sure he did. How could he not? But maybe he felt the possible risks outweighed his problems at the time

[@fonzarellyplay370]

@@michaelsuder486I’m not sure why he would think that. There’s nothing good about this stuff anywhere. All extremely negative

[@Jc22ny]

Thank you so much for actually educating and informing about benzo use. Spreading Benzodiazepines phobia ain’t the solution as everyone’s mind/need are unique. With everything it’s important to way the pros and cons. Weigh the risks vs benefits. ❤❤❤

[@arield.4605]

I would add that it takes ad little as few days (one single week) to get dependent on benzos and it happened to my dad. It’s extremely dangerous!!!!!