Dr. Alexis Ritvo is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is also Medical Director for the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices and Co-Chair for the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group.

In Part I of our conversation with Dr. Ritvo, we dive into the world of benzo advocacy and outreach. We discuss ongoing work in the benzo community including guidance documentation, prescriber education, peer support training, and so much more. I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/a-psychiatrists-perspective-part-1-of-2-bfp096

Video ID: BFP096

Chapters

00:00 INTRODUCTION

15:30 INTERVIEW Intro

17:51 Dr. Ritvo’s Background

21:05 Learning About Benzo Dependence

23:58 Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG)

28:33 Guidance Documents

31:07 Prescriber Education

36:28 Peer Support Training

41:10 Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices

43:20 Alliance Projects

48:23 CLOSING

 

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.

INTRODUCTION

— Benzo Warrior (Website): https://www.benzowarrior.com

— Benzo Warrior (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/groups/BenzoWarriorGroup

INTERVIEW WITH DR. RITVO

— The University of Colorado School of Medicine: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu

— The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices: https://www.benzoreform.org

— Benzodiazepine Action Work Group (BAWG): https://corxconsortium.org/work-groups/benzodiazepine

 

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

Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio

— https://www.storyblocks.com

Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

Denim Mountain Press

https://www.denimmountainpress.com

©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

Do have questions about benzos? About your symptoms? About finding a doctor to help you survive this thing we call benzo withdrawal? Questions plague the benzo experience, and some questions are more common than others.

In today’s podcast, we look at the top five most frequently asked questions about benzos and benzo withdrawal. We also talk about plans for the new year, find some positivity amongst the difficulties, and close out with the return of our Moment of Peace. I hope you’ll join us.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/top-5-benzo-questions-and-a-few-answers-bfp095

Video ID: BFP095

Chapters

00:00  Introduction

14:15  TOP 5 QUESTIONS – Intro

17:58  Can I Sue My Doctor?

23:14  Is This Symptom Part of Withdrawal?

26:50  Is this Permanent?

29:34  How Do I Find a Doctor?

34:10  How Do Survive Withdrawal?

40:00  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.

ORGANIZATIONS

— The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices — https://benzoreform.org

— Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) — https://www.benzoinfo.com

— BIC’s List of Doctors — https://www.benzoinfo.com/doctors

 

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

Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio

— https://www.storyblocks.com

Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

Denim Mountain Press

https://www.denimmountainpress.com

©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

Holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice! Listen to the recordings of our two-night podcast, or watch the videos on our YouTube channel.

Holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice! Listen to the recordings of our two-night podcast, or watch the videos on our YouTube channel.

The holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice!

If you can’t make it, or if you prefer to listen to the recorded audio version on one of our podcast carriers, you can do so starting Friday. I hope you will join us, and Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/holiday-podcast-live-bfp094

Video ID: BFP094

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:45 Welcome

08:25 The Ashton Manual

15:50 The Colorado Consortium

18:05 Finding a Doctor

21:15 Mailbag Live

29:19 Sinus Issues

31:05 Muscle Issues

36:12 Nerve Pain

38:10 Upper Back Pain

40:14 Vision Issues

42:01 Physical Therapy

44:04 Migraines

44:29 Things Change

45:46 Change the Medical Culture

50:46 It's Okay to Take a Benzo

53:08 Obsessive Thoughts

56:24 Long-term Damage

57:54 OCD

59:14 Body Healing

 

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

Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio

— https://www.storyblocks.com

Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

Denim Mountain Press

https://www.denimmountainpress.com

©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

Holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice! Listen to the recordings of our two-night podcast, or watch the videos on our YouTube channel.

Holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice! Listen to the recordings of our two-night podcast, or watch the videos on our YouTube channel.

The holidays can be very difficult for those struggling with benzo withdrawal. So, we decided to dedicate our holiday podcast to you. Your questions, your comments, your concerns. And we’re doing it live — twice!

If you can’t make it, or if you prefer to listen to the recorded audio version on one of our podcast carriers, you can do so starting Friday. I hope you will join us, and Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/holiday-podcast-live-bfp093

Video ID: BFP093

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

Music provided / licensed by Storyblocks Audio

— https://www.storyblocks.com

Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

Denim Mountain Press

https://www.denimmountainpress.com

©2022 Denim Mountain Press – All Rights Reserved

Far too often, we think we are all alone during benzo withdrawal and that no one understands what we are going through. But we’re not alone. The benzo community is active, thriving, and full of people just like you. And we’re making a difference. In today’s episode of the podcast, we share some of the progress being made, visit a few of the key organizations behind this progress, and share some of their plans for the future. There’s so much to be done, but we have a great start, and the future is looking brighter every day.

Far too often, we think we are all alone during benzo withdrawal and that no one understands what we are going through. But we’re not alone. The benzo community is active, thriving, and full of people just like you. And we’re making a difference. In today’s episode of the podcast, we share some of the progress being made, visit a few of the key organizations behind this progress, and share some of their plans for the future. There’s so much to be done, but we have a great start, and the future is looking brighter every day.