My Benzo Story (A Personal Account of Withdrawal)

What’s it really like to withdraw from anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills? For some of us, the experience is beyond words — but I will try anyway.

Today, I share my personal story of benzo withdrawal — warts and all. I do this now to help raise awareness and hopefully become more relatable as your host. I was on clonazepam (Klonopin) for over 12 years and I’m now four years benzo-free. Even though I still have some symptoms, I consider my withdrawal a success. There is hope — if I can make it, so can you.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/my-benzo-story-a-personal-account-of-withdrawal-bfp002

Video ID: BFP002

Chapters

00:00 Teaser

01:42 Introduction

08:45 Feature: My Benzo Story

33:00 Moment of Peace

 

Episode Summary

Welcome to Episode Two of our new podcast. Today we keep the intro short and skip our Q&A so we can dive right into our featured topic.

Today’s featured topic: My Benzo Story

Although I know it may sound a bit pretentious, our feature today is solely focused on my experience with benzo withdrawal. I dedicated an entire episode to this topic not just to hear myself talk, but because I believe that sharing my story can truly help others feel a little less alone throughout this ordeal. If this topic is not for you, please just skip over it and go to the next episode. No hard feelings, I promise.

Today, I share my journey through the past 15 years, a time that I refer to as the benzo chapter of my life. From 2002, when I was first prescribed clonazepam (Klonopin) by my primary care physician, through the roller coaster of tolerance, taper, and withdrawal, to finally discovering the beauty of life on the other side. It has been an arduous ordeal, but one that I conquered and survived.

On August 20th, 2014, I took my last dose of benzos. It’s four and a half years later and although I am currently in a protracted state of withdrawal and still have symptoms every day, I am significantly better than I was and I will be forever grateful that I am finally benzo-free.

Please remember that benzo withdrawal is manageable, especially with proper preparation, information, and support. My withdrawal experience is extreme and odds are your experience will be much easier than mine.

 

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.

— Foster, D E. “Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal.” Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/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

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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

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