October 17th, 2023

In this episode: Nicole Lamberson, Physician Assistent. She has lived experience in that she is enduring protracted injury from prescribed psychiatric drug polypharmacy and an over-rapid withdrawal, that occured in a detox center, back in 2010. Nicole is involved in various withdrawal-related initiatives, including: she serves on the Medical Advisory Board of Benzodiazepine information Coalition, is an Associate at the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal, is a founding member of the Benzo Action Work Group of the Colorado Consortium, is co-founder of The Withdrawal Project and a team member at Inner Compass Initiative. She also does outreach, marketing and distribution for the documentary film, "Medicating Normal." Currently, she is a member of the patient panel tasked with assisting the American Society of Addiction Medicine on the development of Benzodiazepines deprescribing guidelines for the FDA.

Amongst the drugs Nicole was prescribed was: Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Zolpidem (Ambien), Mirtazepine (Remeron), mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall), Quatiapine (Seroquel), Gabapentin, Trazodone and Diazepam (Valium).

⚠️ Be advised, this episode may be perceived triggering for some people ⚠️.

Nicole can be contacted for withdrawal coaching through Witt-Doerring Psychiatry: https://wittdoerringpsychiatry.com/coach-nicole-lamberson/

October 16th, 2023

In this episode: Geraldine Burns has been a pioneer in helping to get the word out about the potential dangers of benzodiazepines.  In 1999 she started the first Internet support group for people wishing to withdraw from tranquilizers or already off and having problems.  She is dedicated to the responsible and informed use of this class of prescription drugs. She was instrumental in having Professor C. Heather Ashton, Professor Emeritus from the University of Newcastle write her manual “Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw” also known as The Ashton Manual.  This manual has now been translated into 13 other languages. In 2006, she launched the website BenzoBookReview.com.  It was started after she was given the rights by eleven internationally known authors of books that had been written on the subject of tranquilizers of which some were no longer being published.  She worked to have some of them revised and updated so we could bring the most up-to-date information on tranquilizers and sleeping pills to the public. Her advocacy work has been filmed from 2014 to 2020 for the documentary “As Prescribed”.  You can learn more about the documentary at www.asprescribedfilm.com.  It is a documentary film project about benzodiazepine dependency and discontinuation syndrome. On February 24, 2016, the first bill was filed in Massachusetts titled An Act Relative to Benzodiazepines and Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotics. She worked closely with Representative Paul McMurtry to have this first of a kind bill filed in the United States.  Over the next few years, at five different sessions she and other Massachusetts benzo survivors testified in front of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and Recovery.  After the third session, the bill was received favorably, but because of Covid, the bill did not go forward.  The 4th bill for the year 2021 was heard on November 8th which again did not go forward.  A 5th bill was just heard on October 2nd, 2023 and we are waiting for a favorable report. On January 13, 2018 she testified in front of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and Recovery for Governor Baker’s Opioid Bill. In 2018 she and her son Attorney Garrett Burns launched her Podcast  “Benzodiazepine Awareness with Geraldine Burns”  which is also available on YouTube.

After the birth of her second child, something didn't feel quite right and Geraldine was prescribed Ativan (Lorazepam). Despite Geraldine's concerns about the drug, she was told she needed to take Ativan for the rest of her life. As time progressed Geraldine discovered there was a medical issue unaddressed. In an age before the Ashton Manual and the internet, she tapered her Benzodiazepine. As she wanted to spread awareness, she got in touch with professor Heather Ashton, who sent her the first three chapters of her now famous manual.

Find Geraldine's podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/benzodiazepine-awareness-with-geraldine-burns/id1358022441

The Massachusetts Benzodiazepine Bill testimonials: https://youtu.be/WZ2Ut-U5TBA?si=LVsczd_teYnjYgsX

In this episode: Angie Peacock was prescribed Benzodiazepines and other psych meds after suffering from PTSD for many years. Angie tapered her benzodiazepine the last of all her meds and suffered severe withdrawal. She was featured on the documentary film "Medicating Normal". During her journey, she has become an advocate for the drug harmed community and currently offers her services for people coming off and recovering from Benzos and other psych meds.

Find Angie @: https://www.apeacockconsulting.com

August 1st, 2023

In this episode: Amy Barnett, a hairstylist from Chicago, Illinois. Amy got prescribed several Benzodiazepines twenty years ago for anxiety. She had been taking Valium (Diazepam) when needed. After that prescription, she was prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam) and other drugs. Amy shares her story of underlying trauma and the many traumas and gaslighting she endured when getting ill on Benzos by many doctors. Amy cold turkeyed for her pregnancy. Amy managed to come off of Benzodiazepines in 2015. Amy was futured in Lisa Ling's "The Benzo Crisis". Find Amy at her Instagram page: https://instagram.com/amybarnett7261?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

July 26th, 2023

In this episode: Chris Paige, Master of Social Work (MSW), has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 20 years. He is the founder and executive director for the institute of akathasia. Chris was prescribed Ciprofloxacine (Cipro) for a prostate infection for a long time. After a second time being prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam), he was tapered at a detox in five days and was prescribed other psychiatric meds. Chris suffered akathasia for three years. After his recovery he founded the institute for akathasia and coaches people dealing with Benzo withdrawal, including loved ones involved. Chris and I discuss topics like stabilizing and more. Chris will soon be working with dr. Witt from Witt-Doerring Psychiatry.

Find Chris at: chrispaigelcsw.com and akathisiainstitute.org .

In this episode: Mieke Janssens from Belgium. Mieke got exposed to Benzodiazepines through alternative ways; the party scene and online. Mieke used Benzos initially to sleep, but later on used them to be sedated. Mieke used high dosages of Lendormin (Brotizolam) and Dormicum (Midazolam / Versed / Hypnovel) whilst on opiods for back problems. When she experienced severe symptoms and interdose withdrawal, she contacted her doctor who switched her to 90 milligrams of Valium (Diazepam). Mieke shares her entire journey, including her taper and jump, which was about 2.5 months ago. When she realized there was a lack of proper guidance on how to safely taper in her country, she decided on being a coach to help using her lived experience.

Find Mieke @ https://www.backtobalance-coaching.be/

If you are English speaking, you can send Mieke an e-mail: [email protected]

July 17th, 2023 (recorded July 15th, 2023)

In this episode: Haeley (from episode 10), Emma S.* discuss the Dutch talkshow "B&W" that covered Benzodiazepines in 2002. Next to commenting the TV show, we cover some personal notes, Ada v Ativan, antidepressants and much more.

Starring in the talkshow:

Sonja Barend - Host "Sonya"

Mrs. de Clerck - User "Mrs. C."

Dr. Boonstra - Addiction doctor "Dr. B."

Dr. Thomas - Professor General Practioner "Dr. Thomas"

Mrs. Nijkerk - Former user "Mrs. N."

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTwajPbVzcQ

Find Haeley at: https://instagram.com/benzowdpositivity?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

*Emma S. from the #unfiltered podcast and www.beatingthebenzo.com featured on multiple Benzotired episodes.

Please note that I have done my best to translated Dutch to English the best way I could with the hopes not to offend anyone.

July 17th, 2023

In this episode: part 1 of 2 of the Dutch TV show Barend & Witteman "Benzodiazepine verslaving" (Benzodiazepine addiction) aired in 2002. Network: VARA.

⚠️ This is a video in Dutch ⚠️, which I translated. The subtitled video is only available on Spotify. If you are unable or unwilling to view, please select the seperate part 2 of the episode. In part 2 Haeley, Emma S. and I discuss this talkshow.

It was extremely time consuming and technically challenging to make this episode, but I think this has value for educational purposes.

Disclaimer: I subtitled the best I could with English not being my native language.

Special thanks to Haeley (episode #10) who gave me notes on the subtitles.

In 2002, an estimated 700.000 people were on Benzos in the Netherlands; in 2022 it is estimated to be 1.370.000 people (source: https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/5300622/steeds-meer-mensen-verslaafd-aan-slaap-en-kalmeringsmiddelen )

Starring in this episode:

Sonja Barend - Host

Mrs. de Clerck - User

Ms. Boonstra - Addiction doctor

Dr. Thomas - Professor General Practioner

Mrs. Nijkerk - Former user

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTwajPbVzcQ

Recorded June 28th, 2023

In this episode: I have a conversation with fellow Dutchie Pauline Dinkelberg. Originally trained as a ICU nurse, Pauline has been the chairwomen of the non-profit Vereniging Afbouwmedicatie (Association Tapermedication) since 2019. After some physical and psychological issues, Pauline developed insomnia. After having used a Z-drug (Zopiclone) for three months, she came off quite easily. However, months after that, she developed depression due to life events. She got prescribed Setraline (Zoloft) and after just one week, she developed suicidal thoughts and stopped within days. After that, she was being prescribed Mirtazepine (Remeron). Again, Pauline did not react well to yet another drug. After four months, using compounded pills, she managed to taper off. All her negative personal experiences with psych meds, inspired Pauline to commit to spread awareness for the drug harmed community.

Find Pauline's organisation at: https://verenigingafbouwmedicatie.nl/ 🇳🇱

June 12th, 2023

In this episode: author and podcaster D E Foster shares his personal Benzodiazepine story. D was prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam) for stomach issues. After D tapered his Benzodiazepine, he researched the topic and wrote a book: "Benzo Free: The World of Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal". Subsequently, he started his renowned " The Benzo Free Podcast". D has since been working tiredly advocating for the Benzo harmed community. Despite some protracted symptoms, D has been asked for his lived experience for medical research and has been one of the founders bringing awareness to the community. D and I discuss many topics, like working with your ("Benzo wise") doctor to help you with your taper and podcasting.

Find D E Foster @ https://www.easinganxiety.com/ and his book "Benzo Free" @ https://www.amazon.nl/Benzo-Free-Anti-Anxiety-Reality-Withdrawal-ebook/dp/B07GBL6TLM

Me on the Benzofree podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0NqIp4ttEYipOVuEnWXWpw?si=7_cm8iFuQW6ONEtcwng-lQ