The underappreciated angels of the benzo community are the caregivers. What’s it like to take care of someone going through benzo withdrawal? What are the key hurdles? What are the burdens? And most of all, what are the secrets that no one told you?

In today’s episode, D interviews his very own wife and caregiver, Shana Foster, who shares her insights from 17 years of experience. We also have a benzo story from Indonesia and shine our spotlight on W-BAD and their benzo awareness efforts.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/conversation-with-a-caregiver-bfp012

Video ID: BFP012

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:24 Mailbag

06:30 Benzo News

07:56 Benzo Spotlight

10:22 Benzo Story

19:30 Conversation with a Caregiver

52:25 Moment of Peace

 

Resources

The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.

MAILBAG

• Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://easinganxiety.com/subscribe

BENZO NEWS

• Benzo Free Blog Post: “The Rainbow on the Other Side”
• NY Times: “How Pain Tolerance and Anxiety Seem to Be Connected” by Heather Murphy
• Benzo Free Blog Post: “It’s Caregiver Week at Benzo Free!”

BENZO SPOTLIGHT

• World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day (W-BAD)

FEATURE: Conversation with a Caregiver (Interview)

• Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal

 

Introduction

In today’s intro, I introduced Caregiver Week and shared a bit about this celebration at Benzo Free. I also mentioned a new addition, or more accurately, a return, to our podcast format. The “Moment of Peace” is back at the end of each episode by popular demand.

 

Mailbag

This is where we share questions and comments which were discussed:

• QUESTION: How do you define long-term user?
• Nancy, from England, wrote us and was concerned that I only spoke to long-term users, which would exclude her who was on a benzo for 18 months. I told her that I considered long-term users as anyone who has continually taken a benzo for longer than two weeks, which clearly puts her in the long-term category.
• QUESTION: Will I get email notification each Wednesday with a link to the podcast?
• This was a question from Monte, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The answer, is yes, if you subscribed to our email list at https://easinganxiety.com/subscribe.

 

Benzo Stories

I shared a story today from Hendy in Jakarta, Indonesia.

 

Feature

Today’s featured topic: Conversation with a Caregiver

As I mentioned in our introduction, today’s feature is an interview that I had with my wife and caregiver, Shana Foster. Shana has dealt with a spouse dependent on benzos for almost 17 years, of which the last six dealt with withdrawal complications. Shana also wrote the chapter in my book on the caregiver and shares some of the same tips here in the interview as she did in the book.

 

The Podcast

The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata).

WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com

MAILING LIST: https://www.easinganxiety.com/subscribe

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@easinganx

DISCLAIMER

All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.

CREDITS

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— https://www.storyblocks.com

Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

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