Benzodiazepines

From the Benzodiazepine Information Network:

Many doctors, detox facilities, and other medical providers are uncertain, misinformed and/or uneducated about how to manage benzodiazepine withdrawal and how dangerous an over-rapid or ‘cold-turkey’ withdrawal can be. Addiction-centered programs are also not appropriate for individuals who took their benzodiazepine as directed by their prescriber and who became physically dependent, without any history of abuse or abuse behavior. For this reason, addiction-based detox centers do not offer the tailored and specialized support for physically dependent patients. 

Anyone withdrawing from long-term benzodiazepines should reduce the dosage slowly. A sufficiently slow and smooth removal of benzodiazepines from the body permits the natural systems to regain control of the functions which have been dampened down by the drug’s long-term presence. Benzodiazepine Tapering Strategies and Solutions provides an overview of safer tapers.

Please visit Benzodiazepine Information Network to learn more.

FDA announcement in 2020:

To address the serious risks of abuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring the Boxed Warning be updated for all benzodiazepine medicines. Benzodiazepines are widely used to treat many conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. The current prescribing information for benzodiazepines does not provide adequate warnings about these serious risks and harms associated with these medicines so they may be prescribed and used inappropriately.