Benzotired

November 13th, 2023 In this episode: Alison Canavan, a former international model from Ireland. An acclaimed international speaker, wellness coach, and mindfulness advocate. Overcoming mental health struggles and addictions, Alison found healing and transformed herself into a source of inspiration. Named one of the Top 8 Transformational Coaches in the US by USA Today in 2021, Alison is a UCLA tra...

November 7th, 2023 In this (special) episode: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a Consultant Cardiologist at York Teaching Hospital in York, United Kingdom. He also represents general medicine on the patient safety group and is a HYMS tutor and has been awarded 2 clinical excellence awards. Dr. Gupta was so kind to take the time to answer my questions and shares his views on his profession and the healthcare syst...

November 7th, 2023 In this episode: Holly Hardman, Director/Producer of the documentary As Prescribed. Her personal episode is featured on Benzotired episode #20. Holly speaks openly about making the film and using it for Benzodiazepine harm awareness and change. Holly Hardman entered the media field as a researcher and worked for Rolling Stone, PBS, and Twentieth Century Fox in the 1980s. In the...

November 1st, 2023 In this episode: Melissa Bond, a narrative journalist, poet and matriarch to Salt Lake City’s Slam Scene. The Salt Lake Tribune and the New York Post have both done features on Bond's book Blood Orange Night, her memoir about becoming dependent upon and then withdrawing from Benzodiazepines. Blood Orange Night was published by Simon & Schuster in June 2022 and was select...

October 31st, 2023 In this episode: Jane Kotze from South Africa. Jane got prescribed several psychotropic drugs. The first drug she was precribed was Prozac (Fluoxetine) at 18 years old, after a 15 minute consultation with a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with a bipolar disorder and having a chemical imbalance. Over the years she was put on a staggering amount of different drugs, including Rivotr...

October 17th, 2023 In this episode: Nicole Lamberson, Physician Assistent. She has lived experience in that she is enduring protracted injury from prescribed psychiatric drug polypharmacy and an over-rapid withdrawal, that occured in a detox center, back in 2010. Nicole is involved in various withdrawal-related initiatives, including: she serves on the Medical Advisory Board of Benzodiazepine info...

October 16th, 2023 In this episode: Geraldine Burns has been a pioneer in helping to get the word out about the potential dangers of benzodiazepines.  In 1999 she started the first Internet support group for people wishing to withdraw from tranquilizers or already off and having problems.  She is dedicated to the responsible and informed use of this class of prescription drugs. She was instrumenta...

August 7th, 2023 In this episode: Angie Peacock was prescribed Benzodiazepines and other psych meds after suffering from PTSD for many years. Angie tapered her benzodiazepine the last of all her meds and suffered severe withdrawal. She was featured on the documentary film "Medicating Normal". During her journey, she has become an advocate for the drug harmed community and currently offer...

August 1st, 2023 In this episode: Amy Barnett, a hairstylist from Chicago, Illinois. Amy got prescribed several Benzodiazepines twenty years ago for anxiety. She had been taking Valium (Diazepam) when needed. After that prescription, she was prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam) and other drugs. Amy shares her story of underlying trauma and the many traumas and gaslighting she endur...

July 26th, 2023 In this episode: Chris Paige, Master of Social Work (MSW), has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 20 years. He is the founder and executive director for the institute of akathasia. Chris was prescribed Ciprofloxacine (Cipro) for a prostate infection for a long time. After a second time being prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam), he was tapered at a detox in five days and w...

July 17th, 2023 In this episode: Mieke Janssens from Belgium. Mieke got exposed to Benzodiazepines through alternative ways; the party scene and online. Mieke used Benzos initially to sleep, but later on used them to be sedated. Mieke used high dosages of Lendormin (Brotizolam) and Dormicum (Midazolam / Versed / Hypnovel) whilst on opiods for back problems. When she experienced severe symptoms and...

July 17th, 2023 (recorded July 15th, 2023) In this episode: Haeley (from episode 10), Emma S.* discuss the Dutch talkshow "B&W" that covered Benzodiazepines in 2002. Next to commenting the TV show, we cover some personal notes, Ada v Ativan, antidepressants and much more. Starring in the talkshow: Sonja Barend - Host "Sonya" Mrs. de Clerck - User "Mrs. C." Dr. Boonstra - Addiction doctor "Dr. B."...

July 17th, 2023 In this episode: part 1 of 2 of the Dutch TV show Barend & Witteman "Benzodiazepine verslaving" (Benzodiazepine addiction) aired in 2002. Network: VARA. ⚠️ This is a video in Dutch ⚠️, which I translated. The subtitled video is only available on Spotify. If you are unable or unwilling to view, please select the seperate part 2 of the episode. In part 2 Haeley, Emma S. and I dis...

Recorded June 28th, 2023 In this episode: I have a conversation with fellow Dutchie Pauline Dinkelberg. Originally trained as a ICU nurse, Pauline has been the chairwomen of the non-profit Vereniging Afbouwmedicatie (Association Tapermedication) since 2019. After some physical and psychological issues, Pauline developed insomnia. After having used a Z-drug (Zopiclone) for three months, she came of...

June 12th, 2023 In this episode: author and podcaster D E Foster shares his personal Benzodiazepine story. D was prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam) for stomach issues. After D tapered his Benzodiazepine, he researched the topic and wrote a book: "Benzo Free: The World of Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal". Subsequently, he started his renowned " The Benzo Free Podcast". D has since been wo...

Recorded June 9th, 2023 In this episode, Holly Hardman, a film maker and within the Benzo community best known for her documentary "As Prescribed". In this episode Holly shares her personal experience with Benzodiazepines. Holly has been dealing with health issues throughout her life and struggled with insomnia. Many years ago she had used Xanax (Alprazolam), Dalmane (Flurazepam) and lat...

Recorded June 5th, 2023 In this episode: Jess Zanotti; a Renaissance Woman; a multidimensional artist, wardrobe stylist and creative director. She was precribed Xanax (Alprazolam) for panic attacks and SSRI's over seven years ago. After ten years using prescription drugs as prescribed, she quit cold turkey, without knowing anything about safely coming off of Benzodiazepines. It was five years...

May 27th, 2023 In this episode: Dan Landauer. Struggling with anxiety as a young boy, he got prescribed Zoloft (Setraline) in his teens. Later in life Dan was prescribed multiple Benzodiazepines, like Ativan (Lorazepam) and Klonopin (Clonazepam). Dan checked into a rehab and they tapered him of all his psych meds in a staggering 9 days. Now, more than 7 years later and recovered, Dan coaches peopl...

May 18th, 2023In this episode: dr. Jennifer Leigh shares her Benzodiazepine journey and we discuss topics like women's health. After earning a doctorate in psychology, Jennifer Leigh became a coach. Jennifer's career stopped when the Benzodiazepine she took as prescribed damaged her brain. She blogged honestly about her ordeal, sharing her experience with others. Recovered, she helps peopl...

May 16th, 2023 In this episode: I catch up with my friend Jenny from Brooklyn, New York. Jenny featured on episode 10 and is the very first guest to come on Benzotired. In episode #2, Jenny shares her story on how she was put on Benzodiazepines and her experience in several detox facilities. In episode 2, Jenny was still tapering, but as of January 2023, she has been Benzo free. We discuss the las...

June 5th, 2023 (recorded May 10th, 2023) In this episode: dr. Christy Huff, director of the Benzodiazepine I lnformation Coalition (BIC) talk about the betablocker Propranolol. Chisty and I share our shared experience on this drug. As the Ashton Manual mentions the drug, we contemplate the use, purpose and the withdrawal of Propranolol. At this time, there has been little scientific research on ta...

April 26th, 2023 In this episode: "Ada v Ativan", The Cook Report (1988) 🇬🇧. ⚠️Be advised, this episode maybe considered triggering for some listeners⚠️ This podcast episode contains the entire episode "Ada v Ativan" from the programme: The Cook Report, published in 1988 and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbetbDf_imo&t=36s . In the episode, Roger Cook and his team, follow Ada fr...

April 17th, 2023 In this episode: journalist Miranda Levy, author of "The Insomnia Diaries - How I learned to sleep again". After Miranda's marriage is about to end, she develops pathological insomnia. Whilst being a mother of two young children and having a successful career, her insomnia quickly disables her. Miranda begins a search for a remedy and is prescribed anti-depressents f...

April 15th, 2023 In this episode: Emma Hames, a Benzo surviver, songwriter, musician, artist and producer of the documentary film "Playing With Life" (currently in pre-preduction). At age 23 Emma had contracted an unknown virus and suffered limited long capacity and trouble breathing normally. Emma began developing severe anxiety and panic attacks. After the diagnosis of her limited long...

April 5th, 2023 In this episode: A conversation with Renée A. Schuls-Jacobson, author of "PSYCHIATRIZED: WAKING UP AFTER A DECADE OF BAD MEDICINE". Renée shares some of her journey of insomnia, Clonazepam (Klonopin), trauma, (sexual) healing and many more topics. Renée found creativity in her healing journey and is now a full-time artist and offers coaching. Additionally, we discuss work...