Tips for Talking About Benzos with Doctors, Therapists, Family, and Friends - a podcast by D E Foster

Do you find it hard to talk with your physician or psychiatrist about benzos? How about with your counselor or family and friends? This is a far too common problem in the benzo community, and we’re here to help.In today’s episode, we share seven tips for talking about benzos with the people in your life. We also share a benzo story from New Mexico, discuss a comment about finding peace-of-mind, and talk about the willingness to make mistakes during our withdrawal.















Welcome to Episode #58Today, we focus on talking with others about benzos. This is a far too common struggle for so many in the benzo community, and it's an important one to address here. Today, we provide seven tips for talking with doctors, therapists, family and friends about what you are going through and how to find the support you so desperately need.



Episode IndexEach time listed below is in minutes and seconds.



Introduction: 0:57Mailbag: 12:50Benzo Story: 15:44Feature: 22:17Moment of Peace: 51:39Episode Resources



The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Benzo Free of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best PracticesTools for Patients Page Speaking with Your Medical ProviderPrescriber Information Pamphlet (PIP) Communication Study Guide"How to Generate Productive Conversations with your Prescriber"by Dr. Janye L. ViolettePrescriber Information Pamphlet



Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC)Find a Benzodiazepine Doctor Page w/ DirectoryFact Sheet on Benzodiazepines"10 Tips to Help Patients Through Benzodiazepine Withdrawal"by Dr. Christy Huff"How to Find a Doctor and More: 10 Tips to Quit Benzos"by JCWithdrawing Prescribed Benzodiazepine Patients (Pamphlet for physicians)It's Time to Talk About Benzodiazepines (Pamphlet, general)



World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day (W-BAD)W-BAD Pamphlet (in multiple languages)Benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, and Opioids Professional's Guide for As-Prescribed BZD DependenceFor Therapists&Counselors Treating Clients with Benzodiazepine WithdrawalFamily, Friends&Caregivers: Providing Support for Someone in Benzodiazepine WithdrawalBenzodiazepines and the ElderlyAbout BWS/PWS&Neuronal DamageHistorical Fact Sheet



Other Useful Handouts and Leave-BehindsThe Ashton ManualNew York City Health Information on BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepine Prescribing Guidelines for Pennsylvania"Yes, Benzos Are Bad for You"by Dr. Allen Frances



BENZO FREE LINKSWebsitePodcast Home PageFeedback FormDisclaimerPodcast Summary



This podcast is dedicated to those who struggle with side effects, dependence, and withdrawal from benzos, a group of drugs from the benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine classes, better known as anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, sedatives, and minor tranquilizers. Their common brand names include Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Valium, and Xanax.Introduction



In today's intro, I spoke about making mistakes. We so often beat ourselves up for our mistakes, especially during benzo withdrawal, and that often only adds to our anxiety making our situation worse. Allow yourself to make mistakes and move on from them. It's a healthy process.



MailbagToday's mailbag comment was from Beatrice, in Zurich, Switzerland. She commented on one of my blog posts about finding peace of mind in withdrawal. I thought she had some excellent comments to add to the conversation and helps us to remember that often, takin the more positive path is a choice.



Benzo StoriesToday, we shared a story from Denise, in New Mexico.



Feature: Tips for Talking About BenzosOur feature today, was focused on how to talk with doctors, therapists, family, and friends about benzos. This is a common struggle for so many, and I thought it would be good to dedicate an entire episode to this topic.



We came up with seven tips to share and they are lis...

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