Alliance for Benzo Best Practices

Our mission is to reduce harm through evidence-based improvements to the prescribing of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. #InformedConsent #MentalHealth #BenzoCrisis

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Very excited to see this piece, written by @shalini with guidance from the Alliance, has been published!

Mainstream outlets covering benzos is a major step forward in addressing the obstacles and harm that patients face. #InformedConsent #BenzoReform

[The Wall Street Journal @WSJ]

Two years after she started taking Xanax, Dana Bare began having panic attacks like never before. Her memory started slipping. Her husband had to remind her how to make a sandwich. https://t.co/FvYCMMT6LG

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

We are very excited to announce new research and benzo news will be coming soon! This year offers the opportunity for legitimate change that will help both patients and providers #informedconsent

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

The term 'addiction' is incorrect as long-term benzo use fosters a physiological dependence that is not what people typically classify as drug addiction.

In order to properly address issues we must first start treating patients with the respect and dignity that they deserve.

[Allen Frances @AllenFrancesMD]

National Scandal
Surge of teen/young adult addiction to extremely dangerous Benzo type drugs that are extremely hard to stop.

Why?
Recklessly loose prescription by primary care docs.

These drugs have almost no useful indication. Great risk/small benefit.
https://t.co/lksKXtweDJ

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

This video is over 8 years old, but still remains entirely true. Stagnation with regulation and requirements for #InformedConsent have allowed problems with benzo prescriptions to continue and worsen in some areas.

[VICE Health @vicehealth]

The little-known reality about benzos is that, when used long-term, they're ineffective and often dangerous.

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Evidence-based studies continue to produce findings that many patients know firsthand from lived experiences #InformedConsent

[Bert @HenryRunamucker]

"Benzodiazepines can impair cognition, mobility, and driving skills in older people, as well as increase the risk of falls. A recent study also found an association between benzodiazepine use in older people and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease."

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Your support on #GivingTuesday helps the Alliance provide:

-Education courses for prescribers
-Groundbreaking research projects
-Resourceful tools for patients
-And much more!

Receive a 100% match on your donation today: https://t.co/x77XH8WgVy

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Today for #GivingTuesday you can make double the impact with a 100% donation match. Help us help others.

https://t.co/x77XH8WgVy

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Over the past months we have been working to respond to a very important draft of prescription and tapering guidelines.

These guidelines will set the standard for clinical practice for discontinuation of benzos for at least the next decade. #BenzoReform

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Following the onset of COVID, diagnoses of depression and anxiety were not significantly higher among postpartum women in the United States; however, there was a 15% increase in postpartum women filling a benzodiazepine prescription.

https://t.co/9DcFsYKKTW

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

3.5 years since this post and there is still no accepted guidelines for prescribing and tapering benzos.

The good news is that our organization is actively working with @ASAMorg to produce an evidence-based document for both prescription and deprescription. #BenzoReform

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Most people will become dependent after 6 weeks of continuous benzodiazepine use. Only 30% of dependent people ever get off them completely.

Shockingly, while many exist, no benzodiazepine or Z-drug prescription guideline is generally accepted in the United States.

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

@JoshuaMIreland The evidence shows that some patients have successfully tapered off benzos using phenobarbital, but for others this use does not work and actually makes their symptoms worse. Our response was meant to point out these two competing facts along with the evidence.

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

ASAM proposed guidelines that would allow harmfully fast tapers.

In response, we contributed to a 30+ page document with over 200 markup corrections and the support of 16 cosigners.

We are beyond thankful to those that helped reduce harm by supporting EVIDENCE-BASED research.

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

It is hugely important that mainstream outlets keep producing content like this that reflects the lived experiences of those who have struggled with benzos.

Raising awareness is a simple but necessary step in helping prevent benzo harm.

[Vogue Magazine @voguemagazine]

What had been a miracle cure for panic attacks became something else—a dependency that was gradual and hard to shake. https://t.co/j3rlCJVZJ9

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

There is a lot of debate on how to properly prescribe and taper benzos.

What is not up for debate is the fact that benzos are NOT a long-term cure for anxiety, stress, or insomnia.

If your doctor disagrees then they could be inadvertently placing you in harms way.

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

#InformedConsent

[Benzodiazepine Information Coalition @BZInfoCoalition]

July 19th is here! The deadline to leave a comment is today! Be sure to have your voice heard!

#prescribedharm
https://t.co/p7mbxCpa4l

[Christopher Lane Author @christophlane]

STUDY: Long-term use of #benzodiazepines “significantly associated with lower total brain volume.”

Findings remarkably similar to studies from 1982-2023.

My latest @PsychToday

#MedTwitter #PsychTwitter #Benzos

https://t.co/a40J1y7GSP

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

More evidence-based research illustrating that benzos are NOT a long-term solution to anxiety #InformedConsent

[Christopher Lane Author @christophlane]

STUDY: Long-term use of #benzodiazepines “significantly associated with lower total brain volume.”

Findings remarkably similar to studies from 1982-2023.

My latest @PsychToday

#MedTwitter #PsychTwitter #Benzos

https://t.co/a40J1y7GSP

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

There is still time to make your opinion heard!

The proposed tapering guidelines are unsubstantiated with evidence making them unsafe for patients #InformedConsent #BenzoReform

Learn more and submit your comments here: https://t.co/FLzAbEkxrc

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Thank you to all who contribute to assisting and empowering patients, we are forever grateful.

[Alliance for Benzo Best Practices @BenzoReform]

Today is #WorldBenzoAwarenessDay which allows us a moment to recognize the work that is being done in the world of benzos. The Alliance is ready to advance our research and advocacy efforts to reduce harm and empower patients. #BenzoReform #InformedConsent