Benzodiazepine Support Resources
Links and Support Groups
BenzoBudddies is not affiliated with any of the following organisations and websites. We take no responsibilty for the content and information they provided. We provide these links and contact details purely for your convenience.
Please keep in mind that you can always contact your local hospital and ask about mental health clinics, support groups, or services in your local area.
If you know of a benzodiazepine support group in your area, please contact us through our form-mail system, and we will add the details to our list.
Telephone Support - UK
BAT
Battle Against Tranquillizers - Phone 0117 966 3629 between the hours of 9:00am and 8:00pm seven days a week. All calls are confidential. Because they are a small organization, they ask that you be patient if you should reach an answering machine, or if their line is engaged.
CITA
CITA (Council For Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction) offers telephone support (0151 949 0102) Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10:00am and 1:00pm GMT. CITA's offers support to those withdrawing from benzodiazepines and antidepressants. The helpline is staffed by volunteers and those with first hand experience with withdrawal.
The Samaritans
The Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phoning 08457 90 90 90. All calls are confidential. The cost is the same as any local call. You do not have to be suicidal to call Samaritans. They offer support to anyone who is suffering from feelings of despair or distress. Samaritans is partnered with Befrienders International. Befrienders International offer support to over 40 countries.
VOT
VOT (Victims of Tranquillisers): Telephone 01202 311 689. VOT offer support to anyone who has suffered medical and/or legal problems that are the result of tranquilliser use.
Talk to Frank
If you have an abusive relationship with benzodiazepines (or any drug/medicine), the The National Drugs Helpline may be of help to you. They operate the "Talk to Frank" website. You can also reach them by telephone at 0800 77 66 00. The National Drugs Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is a free service. All calls are confidential. Calls from a mobile phone may carry a charge depending on your service carrier and may show up on your bill. Advice is available in 120 different languages through a translator service. "Talk to Frank" will also answer e-mail.
Know the Score
Know the Score: information and advice on drugs in Scotland. Telephone 0800 587 587 9 for free, confidential information and advice, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Telephone Support - outside of the UK
U.S.A.
If you are in the United States, you can call the National Hopeline Network at (800) 784-2433 for 24 hour crisis help. They can put you in touch with a local agency.
Canada
If you are in Canada, you can call the AMHB (Alberta Mental Health Board) help line: 1-877-303-2642.
If you are in British Columbia, you can call the Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441.
Australia
TRANX (Tranquilliser Recovery And New eXistence) is a non-profit organization based in Australia. TRANX has a mult-pronged approach to helping those in benzodiazepine withdrawal offering counselling services, telephone support, and other resources. They have informational documents available for download in several languages.
TRANX offers telephone support every weekday between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. The service is staffed by volunteers who may also be benzodiazepine survivors. The number to call is 03 9886 0955.
TRANX also operates a website dedicated to "panic, anxiety, and depression assistance" here.
To reach TRANX by mail, send your correspondence to:
TRANX
222 Burke Road
Glen Iris
Victoria
Australia 3146
To reach TRANX by phone, dial +61 (0)3 9886 0955.
You can e-mail TRANX at info@tranx.org.au
Web-based Support
BCNC
BCNC (Benzodiazepine Co-operation Not Confrontation) is a site dedicated to informing and supporting those "who are affected by prescription supplied benzodiazepines". The site is loaded with information and articles, and BCNC operates a forum to offer support to "anyone suffering from benzodiazepine addiction directly or indirectly".
Anxiety UK
Anxiety UK is an anxiety disorders charity. Although the organization is based in the UK, you do not have to reside in the UK to become a member. There is a fee to become a member, but you will have access to information not otherwise available.
If you are interested in finding therapy locations sponsored by the NPS, click on the "Treatment & Help" link at the top of any of their webpages. Please note that you must be a paid member to attend NPS support groups.
The site itself is loaded with valuable information about agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and other anxiety disorders. The Society is run by those who have anxiety issues, or who have overcome anxiety issues as they beleive, "Those who have experienced anxiety disorders are best placed to provide support to other sufferers because they are able to truly understand the impact these conditions have on people's lives."
In the United States, please try one of the following if you are having problems finding a local support organization.
MHA
Mental Health America "is the country's oldest and largest non-profit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness."
Local Support Groups
Mind
MIND says, "In all our work we promote our values: autonomy, equality, knowledge, participation, and respect". MIND's website is a wealth of information about mental health issues for those in the UK. You can place a confidential call to MIND for the price of a local phone call from anywhere within the UK. Search for a MIND chapter in your area.
Benzodiazepines Anonymous
Benzodiazepines Anonymous was founded in 1989 as a mutual support group for those persons who are recovering from benzodiazepine addiction. They also offer support to anyone who is working to recover from any addicting prescription medication. Benzodiazepines Anonymous uses a twelve steps, twelve goals program. Family members are welcome to attend meetings.
For assistance in starting a new chapter in your local area, please write to:
B.A.
Jeff M.
11507 Cumpston St.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Please be sure to include a stamped, self addressed envelope.
You can also call 818-667-1070 for further information.
Information on the Web
Easy to read benzodiazepine facts and tips can be found on this page.
Benzo.org.uk is a site packed full of benzo articles, publications, stories, and information.
Interesting and informative article by Dr. Peter Breggin titled, "Brain-Disabling Effects Of Benzodiazepines", says in part, "The trusting BZ user has little reason to anticipate losing control. Expecting to be helped, and not harmed, by the drug, the patient is less able to understand or manage potentially overwhelming feelings of anger or violence, or other untoward emotional responses".
The Site of Dependence website contains very useful benzodiazepine articles. The site has links to French, Dutch, and Spanish versions.
Action Against Mind-Altering Drugs and Campaign for Medicine Safety says, "All survivors of psychotropic medication know that prescribed drug addiction treats everyone with equal contempt. Experience and research makes for true expertise and I believe, as do others, that the only way to change the present system of legal harm is to understand the politics of healthcare. Therefore this is a website providing some of the background to the picture of harm". This site strives to post current articles and information.
The Battle Against Tranquillisers mission statement reads, "To lessen the harm caused by benzodiazepine tranquillisers and sleeping pills, and drugs with similar effects". The website offers a wide range of support services.
The Depression Alliance works "to relieve and to prevent this treatable condition by providing information, support and understanding". The site offers a link to help you find local support services.
Patient.co.uk offers "comprehensive, free, up-to-date health information as provided by GPs to patients during consultations". Online database containing over 600 leaflets on a wide range of health issues.
RXList is "the Internet drug index". You can search for a particular drug, and then read the information sheets such as: Side Effects & Drug Interactions, Warnings & Precautions, and Patient Information.