Launched in February 2019, the Benzo Free Podcast has become a lifeline of the benzo community providing information, support, and a personal connection to thousands struggling with benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal (BIND). Hosted by D E Foster, the podcast blends personal stories, interviews, and a variety of facts and studies from a decade of research and lived experience. If you, or someone you know, has been affected by anxiety medication, you might want to check it out. Learn more on our website at https://easinganxiety.com/podcast.
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Launched in February 2019, the Benzo Free Podcast has become a lifeline of the benzo community providing information, support, and a personal connection to thousands struggling with benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal (BIND). Hosted by D E Foster, the podcast blends personal stories, interviews, and a variety of facts and studies from a decade of research and lived experience. If you, or someone you know, has been affected by anxiety medication, you might want to check it out. Learn more on our website at https://easinganxiety.com/podcast.
New ASAM Benzo Guideline (Pros, Cons, & Top 10 Takeaways) | Benzo Free 142
The Benzo Free Podcast
1 hour 12 minutes 50 seconds
8 months ago
New ASAM Benzo Guideline (Pros, Cons, & Top 10 Takeaways) | Benzo Free 142
The new ASAM Benzo Guideline is finally here! Join panel member, D E Foster, as he takes us on an unfiltered tour of "The Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering," sharing his thoughts and experiences along the way.CHAPTERS0:00:00 Welcome0:02:31 My Involvement / Disclaimer0:04:00 The Uneven Life (uneven.life)0:06:52 ASAM Guideline (unscripted review)0:08:51 Introduction to the ASAM Guideline0:14:13 Patients with Lived Experience Panel (PWLE)0:17:42 Physical Dependence vs. SUD0:19:13 Do Not Discontinue Abruptly / No Cold Turkey0:20:02 Public Comments on Guideline0:20:52 Key Takeaways0:22:01 1) Ongoing Assessment of the Risks0:22:45 Benzos & Pregnancy0:23:16 Discontinuation Decision in Older Adults0:26:29 2) Shared-Decision Making Strategies0:27:41 3) Do Not Discontinue Abruptly0:28:54 Physical Dependence Can Start in Weeks0:29:32 4) Inpatient Care / Rehab0:32:26 5) Taper Rate0:34:07 6) Tailor Tapering Strategies to the Patient0:34:16 6a) Substitution Concerns / clonazepam0:37:03 6b) Slow or Pause Taper Based on Symptoms0:38:20 6d) Some May Not Fully Taper0:39:14 7) Recommending Therapy Support (CBT)0:41:07 8) Provide Treatment for Other Conditions0:41:41 9) Provide Harm Reduction Strategies0:42:41 10) It May Take Months to Years0:45:59 We Need Your Questions & Comments0:46:29 More on Physical Dependence vs. SUD0:48:11 Increased Risk of Self-Harm0:48:58 Reporting of Benzo Harms0:49:32 What About Z-Drugs?0:50:49 No One Size Fits All Approach0:52:05 Reviewed All Public Comments0:52:55 Benefits of Support0:53:41 Maudsley Deprescribing Guideline0:54:22 Peer Support Specialists0:55:02 Protracted Withdrawal / Benzo Survey0:57:23 Benzodiazepine Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND)0:58:37 Adjunctive Medication (SSRIs, SNRIs, etc.)1:03:40 More Coverage of the Guideline to Come1:04:26 My Summation / "A Huge Step Forward"1:09:43 In ClosingREFERENCESASAM Benzodiazepine Tapering Guidelines— https://www.asam.org/quality-care/clinical-guidelines/benzodiazepine-tapering— Free Downloadable PDFBLOG POST: ASAM Benzo Guideline Publication— https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/new-asam-guideline-for-benzodiazepine-tapering-just-releasedThe Uneven Life (an online community)— https://uneven.life— Join us now for a 14-day free trial.RECODING INFO— RECORDED: Sunday, March 9, 2025— LOCATION: ColoradoPODCAST SITELINKS— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com/benzofree— EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com— YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx — X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganxPODCAST SUMMARYThis podcast is dedicated to those who struggle with side effects, dependence, and withdrawal from benzos, a group of drugs from the benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine classes, better known as anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, sedatives, and minor tranquilizers. Their common brand names include Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Valium, and Xanax.PODCAST DISCLAIMERThe Benzo Free podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-related information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems or to prescribe any medical devices, psychological treatments,
The Benzo Free Podcast
Launched in February 2019, the Benzo Free Podcast has become a lifeline of the benzo community providing information, support, and a personal connection to thousands struggling with benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal (BIND). Hosted by D E Foster, the podcast blends personal stories, interviews, and a variety of facts and studies from a decade of research and lived experience. If you, or someone you know, has been affected by anxiety medication, you might want to check it out. Learn more on our website at https://easinganxiety.com/podcast.
