Seductive Poison: Benzodiazepine Addiction is Insidious

TRIGGER WARNING: Detailed discussion of addiction and drug dependence. Talk about anxiety and phobias. Simulated blood.
Using benzodiazepines is like signing a deal with the devil. Benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam) and Klonopin (clonazepam), promise a solution to all your problems in one pill.
However, if you read the fine print of the contract, you'll learn that regular use creates dependence. This dependence is hard to shake, and benzodiazepine withdrawal, unlike most other drug withdrawals, can be life-threatening; you may not realize how trapped you are until it's too late.
That's what I mean when I say benzodiazepines are a seductive poison. In today's video, I'll explain why I am benzodiazepine-skeptical as a doctor. After watching, you might be skeptical, too.
DISCLAIMER: This video is not medical advice. Always speak with your own doctor before starting or stopping any form of medical treatment. This is especially true for benzodiazepines, as attempting detox without medical supervision is dangerous!
If you or someone you love is suffering from problematic drug or alcohol use or addiction and is seeking treatment, contact us today.
northtampaexecutivehealth.com/
We are here to help.
North Tampa Executive Health Clinic is directed by Dr. Jack McGeachy. He provides confidential and comfortable addiction treatments and therapy for opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders. We are a medical clinic rather than a rehab or detox, meaning that each patient is cared for one-on-one by a medical doctor, unlike other treatment programs. Book your in-office appointment in the Tampa office or via video conferencing today.
Created Using Davinci Resolve Studio Version 18.6
Using Video Elements From:
- Envato Elements: elements.evato.com
- StoryBlocks: storyblocks.com
Copyright Jack McGeachy, MD. 2023.

[@2needey1]

My doctor took me off Klonopin cold turkey after using it for 20 years daily. She gave me a one week period to detox. It almost killed me. Why do some doctors not understand how to taper this drug?

[@BLUEGENE13]

One week?

[@JackMcG_MD]

Wow, I'm sorry you had to experience that. Unfortunately, many doctors are ignorant when it comes to properly tapering benzodiazepines. Each patient will need an individualized approach, but trying to taper more than 10-20% a month is too fast for most dependent patients and will result in unnecessary suffering. One or two weeks might be reasonable if the person was on a very low dose and had not been taking the drug for long. However, if they can taper off in a week without symptoms, then they probably were never dependent in the first place!

[@whocares4464]

Sorry to hear that!!! This has happened to several friends I know and they did a quick stop and put them on SSI and a sleeping pill! Benzo withdrawal is one of the most dangerous drugs to cold turkey!!!

[@CBT5777]

They took me off cold turkey in rehab after 14 years dependence. It sucked but it got me off in 23 days. I'm benzo free still 27 months later. I stopped drinking too!

[@AGibson723]

An unfortunate reality with that and the prescribing of opiods. I went through the same with Percocets. It was always hard for me to understand the logic behind how some doctors will taper correctly and others couldn't gaf. You'd think doctors would all be on the same page. I always figured it was some legality issue with them, maybe pressure from the DEA or whatever oversight is involved. I'm sorry you went through that, I watched an ex gf go through it too. No bueno

[@corysstories2757]

You speak the truth in an entertaining and fascinating way.

[@JackMcG_MD]

Thank you, that's my mission!

[@whitneyw.7919]

As needed use is also ridiculous, because very quickly as needed, becomes always needed because these drugs actually cause extreme anxiety once you even go into very minor withdrawal

[@JackMcG_MD]

I see that scenario play out again and again in clinical practice. It's so predictable and preventable. This is a big reason I made this video.

[@bijouxdoum6199]

That is where I'm at. I only started 8 months ago. I took .5mg Klonopin the first 2 months, then the past 6 months I have taken 1mg Klonopin a day. I know It's still a smaller dose, But I have all the signs of DEPENDENT AND ADDICT? I only take my 2 .5 pills daily, usually I take 1 pill every 12hr. But I count my pills, I count the days to refill, I'm scared to run out. This has only been 8 months on a lower dose. I want taper off but I'm scared my Dr will just cold turkey me if I'm honest???

[@TheUglyDoctor]

This is clearer instruction than i ever received in medical college

[@JackMcG_MD]

Thank you! That's why I do it. There is so much misinformation and bad information about addiction medicine on the internet. I'm doing my part to fix that!

[@leemackay888]

Lol the nails are such a nice touch!!!

[@JackMcG_MD]

Thank you! It was such a pain to glue them on, and it was really hard to manipulate objects like the scroll. I had made so many takes just because I kept fumbling it. I'm glad that at least one person enjoyed it!

[@MsSturbuck]

Great great fascinating video ! I am scared of those drugs 😮 sounds like devils trap.... Could you make a video on Tramadol please?

[@JackMcG_MD]

Don't get me started on tramadol. Believe it or not, I authored a book chapter on tramadol, specifically why it's such a lousy medication.

[@jamesreid343]

From someone who has battles this you have really hit the nail on the head. Thank you for awsome.content in this field. Peace

[@JackMcG_MD]

Thank you for the support! It really helps me power through editing these videos.

[@derekoshaughnessy9809]

You have your own brain mate, remember that 🇮🇪

[@JackMcG_MD]

Thank you! I appreciate that.@@derekoshaughnessy9809

[@whitneyw.7919]

This is so true. We should do more research on natural or better ways to curb anxiety but oh my gosh, you do get very dependent on them very quick physiologically, and it is an absolute nightmare to even taper. You will walk around your house and rage all day long, simple smells like cleaning products will fill your body with rage hearing sounds again rage. I couldn’t pick up my phone for any calls for several months because just the sound would make me agitated and this was just tapering not cold turkey

[@JackMcG_MD]

Thank you for sharing your story! Folks don't talk about this enough.

[@letigre5822]

Bro the scroll w the nails I CANT💀 😂 Also, I like the 'the biblical devil himself couldn’t create a more insidious substance than benzodiazepines' whoa…

[@user-nc2kt8ze7o]

I , by current experience agree with you. Very sadly, they also cause brain function impairment, you forget who you used to be. Dependence and Interdose withdrawal are very real.

[@SRS675]

Drs use them for repeat insurance billings the love of money is why the Dr went to schools

[@DennisBolanos]

Could you make a video about MDMA and its potential therapeutic utility? 🃏🎱🎲

[@JackMcG_MD]

That is a really great subject! I need to do some research on the topic first.

[@rickydaniel2940]

Is there any programs like Suboxone or methadone where you can go in once a week or once every couple weeks and get a refill and then after a couple months get tapered off of benzos or is that strictly like inpatient?

[@mattmatt4916]

Xanax took my mom away from me every time she took it , and ultimately, it took her life after life-long dependency

[@charleswomack2166]

My experience coming off benzos was relatively painless, other than being unable to sleep. Intense physical exercise is the key to feeling normal again

[@GiveMeaFuckingBreakDude]

How come they dont make benzo suspeded in solution ? Would it give you more control in detoxing ? You can have the ability to decrease by 1/10 of milligram a week or whater you deem safe . Has this ever been done ? Or thought about ?

[@JackMcG_MD]

There are solutions formulated for children and people who cannot swallow pills. They are sometimes used exactly for this reason. It's rare that we need to dose a benzo taper with that degree of precision, however.

[@user-mv6mw8rs5q]

I was took off Klonopin cold. Turkey. And. Kept. Trying to seize. I was 20. When I was on. I am 52 today

[@JackMcG_MD]

That's terrible. I would like to say we have learned more since then, but I still see cases like this on a regular basis.

[@RuthMartin-sp1uh]

I have some clonodine.. yes clonodine. Not Klonopin. I have an fentanyl addiction. So I am trying to kick and was wondering how long I can take them without becoming addicted. They are .1 pills. I have taken as !any as 5 in a 24 hour period.. I had some side effects such as severe chills and some tremors. Nothing I can't handle. I just want to kick at home and get off everything but I only use fentanyl as far as I know anyway.

[@RuthMartin-sp1uh]

Been taking clonodine for 2 days now.

[@whocares4464]

New sub here

[@RuthMartin-sp1uh]

I have been taking them 2 days now.

[@Matty_Ice87]

Love the fingernails

[@kalayne6713]

Guess I am not an addict. I can take one valium one day and not anymore for weeks. I take them for back spasms associated with degenerative disc disease. I am truly grateful for them, and that I dont choose addiction, only responsible use.

[@JackMcG_MD]

That's a perfectly reasonable medical use. Benzodiazepines can be used responsibly and are very useful medications. The problematic use that I see starts when they are prescribed for anxiety with no plan for definitive treatment to address that anxiety.

[@farmazooticalz]

I gotta disagree venlafaxine creates a horrible wd syndrome

[@JackMcG_MD]

I agree, venlafaxine withdrawal can be intense. Thankfully, it's not fatal though.

[@mikeg1433]

Effexor is nothing compared to benzos lol.

[@farmazooticalz]

@@mikeg1433 still really uncomfortable mate. Not fatal but still painful nonetheless

[@MrYerathrall]

"Even thpugh the cold war is OVER, our lives are more stressful than ever!"😮 Yes because the HOT WAR is about to begin...😅

[@GCT1990]

I feel like you got your list of symptoms from Google which is cute... Where are the hundreds and hundreds of symptoms most us of feel for years after the drug?

[@JackMcG_MD]

There are certainly more symptoms that could be mentioned, but in the interest of making an enjoyable video, I have to make certain editorial choices. Very few people would watch a 4-hour video consisting of me reciting hundreds and hundred of symptoms. The details I mention are those most relevant to the discussion. Trust me, I love talking and I would talk for much longer, but the average KZbin viewer doesn't have the attention span for it.

[@NitroTalkwithTodd]

Reptar bars

[@revilooliver486]

nice nails, for a second I thought you some fg, then saw a ring 😁

[@shaun2222]

Still could be

[@LauraKayne-zt8dk]

Could be married to a dude

[@JackMcG_MD]

Thank you! I have a new respect for woman and their nail care. It took me an hour and a half to glue them on! They are "Dracula nails" from the Halloween store, if you're curious. I thought I might be done with the video in time for Halloween.

[@1joob]

What's an fg?

[@LauraKayne-zt8dk]

@@1joob work it out 😩

[@cescrules4472]

The information provided by Dr. McGeachy is very useful and is generally on point. His delivery, however, is monotone, slow-paced, and boring. In fact, Dr. McGeachy is 100 of the most boring people I’ve heard all rolled into one 🥱😴

[@Battery33]

Oh shut up what do you want him to sing and dance 🕺?