THE  BRIDGE PROJECT, BRADFORD. A Speech by Heather Ashton.

There is so much information here.  Professor Ashton covers the entire spectrum of modern psychiatry and the role of drug companies.  She also talks about her clinic and her research. This is an incredible paper.  A must read. 

 

http://www.benzo.org.uk/amisc/chabradford.pdf

 

 

Thanks for the information, Christopher.

 

Billy.

Handout from the letter.  I would suggest bringing this to your doctor.

 

http://www.appgita.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/BENZODIAZEPINES-handout.pdf

 

BENZODIAZEPINES

(Handout)

 Benzodiazepines do not cure anything: they merely alleviate the symptoms temporarily.

 Benzodiazepines  are indicated for short‐term use only (2‐4 weeks)

 Some adverse effects of long‐term use

Oversedation – traffic and home accidents

Drug interactions – especially with respiratory depressants

Memory and cognitive impairment

Paradoxical stimulation

Elderly – confusion, amnesia, falls and fractures, “pseudodementia”

Pregnancy – floppy infant syndrome, neonatal withdrawal reaction

Tolerance – dependence, addiction, abuse potential

Social costs – aggression, antisocial acts, shoplifting, family disharmony, job loss

89

Some common benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms

Anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia Perceptual disturbance, sense of movement,

          Depersonalisation, derealisation 

Insomnia, nightmares      Hallucinations (visual, auditory)

Depression, dysphoria      Distortion of body image

Poor memory and concentration Tingling, numbness, altered sensation

Dizziness, light headedness    Sensory hypersensitivity (light, sound, taste, smell)

Weakness (‘jelly legs’)      Muscle twitches, jerks, fasciculation

Tremor          Tinnitus

Muscle pain, stiffness    Psychotic symptoms*

Palpitations        Confusion, delirium*

Blurred, or double vision    Convulsions*       

*Usually only on rapid or abrupt withdrawal from high doses of benzodiazepines

A good article.

 

But I think I have read this before. 

Maybe not the exact same text, but some parts and statements are VERY familiar.

 

I don't agree with everything, though.

 

'There was in fact nothing unique about Xanax'

I read that more often, but for most people there are considerable differences in the effects of particular benzodiazepines.

My guess is that Xanax as commonly taken causes less intoxication and physical discoordination than diazepam. There ARE differences.

But it's true, common doses of Xanax tend to promote more dependence than common doses of diazepam. If doctors would just start with 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg !

It's not an article.  It's a speech that the professor gave this month for the anniversary of a charity clinic setup for benzodiazepine withdrawal.  It's the best thing yet I've read yet on Benzos and their history.  Not only has she defined the way of a proper taper, she also identifies the source of the problem.  This is one amazing woman. 

 

Christopher

I'm aware that was a speech. Also a PDF file, though.

 

 

Christopher ... thanks for providing the link to that very recent speech.  I'd really like more Doctors to understand what is going on and thanks to Heather Ashton perhaps they will.  God knows, most of them don't want to listen to us.  Lucky are those who live in Bradford, whereever that is, because it looks like they may receive some support with their w/d.

Thanks for posting!  I had never read that before.

 

I sure wish my doctor had told me about the costs of being on these pills so long. My health has suffered a great deal over the past 7 years. Only recently was I able to connect the dots and understand I have been in tolerance a very LONG time.

 

I wasnt told that that could happen. I am grateful I managed tolerance with increased red wine at night, not another little pill. Getting off of just 1 mg has been hard. The red wine went first, then the benzo.

 

 

I don't know where you found this but thankyou.

Thanks for posting this!

Christopher XII--you always post the best things.  I've added this to my favorites.