Global Benzodiazepine Resources
Links and Local & National Support Groups
At BenzoBuddies, we believe that to be well informed serves to help us make wiser choices in all aspects of our lives. Learning about benzodiazepine withdrawal helps us to make sound decisions about what course we take, and helps prepare us to face the journey ahead. Support is a valuable tool during withdrawal, and we encourage you to seek many outlets. Find those that work for you and make good use of them!
FDA and Yellowcard Reporting
If you wish to report suspected benzodiazepine side effects to the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), please use the following links.
Information is available at both sites to file a report online, or if you prefer, you can print out a form and send it in by mail.
If you are in the US and would like to file a report, please visit the FDA's webpage for consumer reporting.
In the UK, please visit the MHRA webpage for patient reporting.
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.
Telephone Support
If you know you know of a benzodiazepine support group in your area, please send us an e-mail, and we will add it to our current list.
For information about local benzodiazepine withdrawal support groups in the UK, you can contact:
The National Drugs Helpline operates "Talk to Frank". You can also reach them by phone 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 also show up on your bill. Advice is available in 120 different languages through a translator service. "Talk to Frank" will also answer e-mail.
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 or the Council For Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction - Monday through Friday, phone 0151 949 0102 between the hours of 10:00am and 1:00pm GMT. CITA's helpline offers support to those withdrawing from benzodiazepines and antidepressants. The helpline is staffed by both volunteers and those who have first hand experience in withdrawing.
Samaritans - Can be reached by phoning 08457 90 90 90 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 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 offers support to over 40 countries. You can find contact numbers and further information for Befrienders International here.
Victims of Tranquillisers - Phone 01202 311 689. Victims of Tranquillisers offer support to anyone who has suffered medical and/or legal problems that are the result of tranquilliser use.
Know the Score - Info & Advice on Drugs in Scotland - Phone 0800 587 587 9 for free, confidential information and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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.
If you are in Canada, you can call the Alberta Mental Health Board (AMHB) Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.
If you are in British Columbia, you can call the Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service at 1-800-663-1441.
Web Support
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".
MIND says, "In all our work we promote our values: autonomy, equality, knowlege, 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 here.
The National Phobics Society is an anxiety disorders charity. You do not have to reside in the UK to become a member, although the organization is UK based. There is a fee to become a member and 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."
Know the Score - Info & Advice on Drugs in Scotland offers confidential, free advice over the phone from any landline in the UK. Their Talk to Us service is always available, running every day of the week, 24 hours a day.
You find an extensive list of their local support groups around Scotland here.
Tranquilliser Recovery and New Existence or Tranx is a non-profit organization based in Australia. TRANX has a mult-pronged approach to helping those in benzodiazepine withdrawal offering counseling 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
In the United States, please try one of the following if you are having problems finding a local support organization.
The National Mental Health Association "is the country's oldest and largest non-profit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness."
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.
Web info links
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.