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
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
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
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.
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
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.
"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."
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
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
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
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
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.
@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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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