January 28th, 2026

In this episode: I catch up with benzo survivor, artist and filmmaker Emma Hames from the United Kingdom.

Emma is featured on episode 12 where she shared her brief story about being severely harmed by benzodiazepines. She also featured in episode 37 as we talked about working whilst being harmed. As I relistened to episode 12 I felt the importance to go more in depth into her journey concerning her symptoms and recovery and I reached out.

In episode 12 she speaks about the journey, which includes contracting a virus affecting her lung capacity, leading to a benzodiazepine prescription. In this episode, we pick up where Emma had abruptly stopped her benzodiazepine. Additionally we talk about her recovery process from the last recording almost three years ago until now, the effect of COVID on the benzoinjury, her documentary in the making: TOXSICK and more.

Find TOXSICK @: https://www.toxsick.org/

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:07) Cold turkey and symptoms

(00:10:45) Year 3 and 4 after

(00:15:50) Slowly getting better and diagnosis

(00:17:55) Sleep and COVID

(00:24:00) "The Oasis"

(00:31:02) Rebuilding a life, processing trauma and creativity

(00:44:17) Developments since 2023, TOXSICK, other documentaries

(00:51:25) Challenges making the documentary

(00:56:35) Putting passion in your project, saving others, advocacy

(01:02:45) Getting feedback from our bodies & impact

(01:05:40) Truth, western society and new take on life

November 21nd, 2025

In this episode: Along with my occasional co-host Emma Saunders I talk to dr. Mark Horowitz and Melanie Davis about the National Psychiatric Drug Describing Clinic in the United Kingdom.

Melanie Davis is featured on Benzotired episode nine about her local support group called REST. Dr. Mark Horowitz is featured on Benzotired episode thirty-six about his book: “The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines”.

We discuss how professor Heather Ashton was an inspiration for the clinic, conditions to receive help from the clinic, alternatives to the clinic for people abroad, Mark’s book “The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines” and much more.

Find more information about the Psychiatric Drug Deprescribing Clinic @ https://psychdeprescribing.org/

Find Mark at Outro Health in the United States @ https://www.outro.com/

Find the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines @ Amazon and other booksellers.

Find the documentary TOXIC @ https://www.toxsick.org/

Find Emma Saunders @ https://thepsychmedsanctuary.com/

(00:00) Introduction

(01:46) Melanie - update on REST

(03:16) Melanie - becoming Senior Prescribed Drug Worker

(05:14) Melanie - involvement documentary TOXSICK

(07:07) Mark - how the clinic came about

(10:14) Mark - criteria to enroll

(12:37) Mark - duration of the treatment

(16:05) Mark - advice for people outside the U.K.

(19:01) Melanie - inspiration by Heather Ashton

(20:50) Mark - reception and translations of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines

(28:02) Melanie & Mark - comments on the reception

(29:21) Mark & Naftal - newer takes since the Ashton Manual, long holding and tolerance

(33:15) Mark - his taper and wellbeing

(36:29) Mark - data on long-term use of benzodiazepines

(39:15) Melanie- REST members seeing the play KORE

(41:30) Mark - where people can find information about the clinic

November 12th, 2025

In this episode: I talk to Tiffany Camilleri from Malta. She works in marketing and is a mental health advocate.

Tiffany got prescribed benzodiazepines and other psych meds at the young age of 14. From the beginning Tiffany started to wonder if some of her issues were caused by the medications that she was taking, but every time she went to see a psychiatrist, she was gaslit.

Finding the Ashton Manual and visiting some forums led her to decide to want to taper her benzodiazepines. In a long journey, including a lot of seizures, Tiffany has decided to long hold on 6 milligrams of Diazepam (also known as Valium).

Find Tiffany @: https://www.instagram.com/tiffany_camko/

September 19th, 2025

In this episode: I have a conversation with Emma Saunders about brand changes. I have personal experiencing facing a brand change with Diazepam (Valium) and Emma has personal experience with a brand change of Mirtazepine (Remeron). We discuss studies, talk about our experiences and discuss possible ways to handle brand changes and some other personal stories.

Inner Compass article: https://www.theinnercompass.org/help-hub/understanding-and-moderating-risks-variable-drug-levels-different-versions-same-0

Find Emma at: https://thepsychmedsanctuary.com/

Find my new website at: https://naftal.jimdosite.com/

August 6th, 2025

In this episode: I speak with Laurie from Canada.

When Laurie wanted to come off her antidepressants after 20 years, she got into severe withdrawal in which she went to a hospital seeking aid. There, she was polydrugged and prescribed Lorazepam (also known as Ativan).

After receiving shock therapy, she left whilst still taking prescription drugs. After a cold turkey event, she discovered the Ashton Manual and reinstated her benzodiazepine. After a 8 month taper, she still suffered for three years. Now many years off, she considers herself almost fully healed.

July 25th, 2025

In this episode: I speak with Danielle de Vries and Tommy Boyce, who created the play “KORE.”

The play is about Sam who freefalls into prescription drug dependence, being prescribed Zopiclone and Lorazepam (also known as Ativan). The play is a tragicomedy loosely based on Persephone in the Underworld.

We talk about how the play came about and how it is for Danielle, not having experienced benzo harm firsthand, to play a character in the trenches of benzo withdrawal. I ask Tommy how it was directing the play and much more…

Kore plays on August 19th and 20th 2025 at the Cockpit Theatre in London, UK.

Find more about Danielle @ https://danielledevries.com/

TICKETS: https://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/kore 

Want to support the play? Check out the KORE Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/koretheplay/

July 11th, 2025

In this episode: I speak with Sydney Hunnell. Sydney is originally from Colorado, but moved to North Carolina.

Sydney was prescribed Xanax (Alprazolam) at the age of 20 for panic attacks. Over the course of months her dose escalated to a staggering 8 milligrams. Eventually Sydney was taken off her Xanax abruptly at a detox facility where she stayed for one week.

Sydney still has symptoms 5 years later, but has significantly recovered since and has a part-time job. Sydney followed the peer support program at the Colorado Consortium and offers coaching next to her daytime job.

You can contact Sydney at: [email protected] or at her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneyhunnell/

June 23rd, 2025

In this episode: I speak with Crystal Grier from Ontario, Canada. Crystal is a mother of six, an artist and a passionate advocate for intentional living.

Crystal homeschooled her kids before her life took a sharp turn after life-altering events. Immediately after being prescribed antidepressants Crystal suffered severe adverse effects. This led Crystal to a chain of events where she was prescribed Klonopin, also known as Clonazapam, initially getting relief. After weeks she wanted to come off her benzodiazepine, leading into a year long taper. She is now two years benzofree.

You can find Crystal on her Instagram page: brazenbenzobabes

For a first, Crystal joins Benzotired via telephone ☎️, which causes a slight lag. We had some minor technical issues, but we've managed to make a good recording!

May 30th, 2025

In this episode: I speak with Ryan Hebert from California, U.S.A. Ryan is two years psych med free after being misprescribed benzodiazepines for 12 years, spanning most of her adult working life. She was on Ativan (generic: Lorazepam), before being switched to Klonopin (generic: Clonazepam).

It took Ryan three attempts and three years to fully taper, much of it during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, she became extremely ill and was diagnosed with a mitochondrial metabolic disorder, linked to the combined stress of withdrawal and multiple COVID infections.

Ryan speaks about a farm-based recovery program post-benzodiazepine in North Carolina, evacuating due to hurricane Helena to Santa Barbara to be closer to family and friends. Today Ryan is focussing on rebuilding her life and raising awareness about the harm of benzodiazepines.

Ryan starts off with words of gratitute for her family and ends with a short self-produced song. She also wanted to share this quote:

"You don't get to check out of the human experience for over a decade without severe consequences -- emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. Coming back online after that long is not just a process, it's a reckoning."

In Spring 2027, Ryan plans to walk the Camino de Santiago with other survivors as a symbol of healing and hope. If you want to join and/or connect, you can e-mail Ryan at: [email protected] and her Instagram: elcaminoforacause.

May 7th, 2025

In this episode: I talk to Emma Saunders from the UK, a regular guest of Benzotired about setbacks. We talk about setbacks she and I have had, others have had or may have. We talk about alcohol, supplements, food and much more.

Find Emma at: the The Psych Med Sanctuary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepsychmedsanctuary/

(00:00) Intro

(01:45) Emma's worst setback

(04:15) Naftal's worst setback

(07:59) Paid jobs with symptoms

(13:25) Alcohol

(15:42) Magnesium

(17:03) Stress and pressure

(19:30) Excercise

(21:00) Chemicals, food and drinks

(25:02) Coffee

(28:42) Supplements

(30:20) Medical gaslighting

(32:52) Liquid taper and changing brands

(38:47) Navigating through setbacks

(40:35) Vitamin B6 & polydrugged

(42:45) Medical procedures, drugs and outro