Benzodiazepine Appropriate Prescribing and Alternative Treatments

As Dr. Gold said at the end, moving people closer to being able to sit with the pain and discomforts of living rather than numbing their reality is extremely valuable, but too many can’t afford the help needed to reach that level of wellness. I tapered myself off of benzos, used to medicate symptoms of severe cPTSD, 7 years ago (it was a holy hell!), and I’m fortunate to have more recently found a therapist who accepts my insurance, but he’s also moving to all self pay, just like the rest in my city. Those who are truly suffering very often don’t have the resources to pay $150+ out of pocket every week -- an emotionally anesthetizing bottle of pills is far more affordable, and a lot of prescribing docs know that. I’ll never go back to benzos, but understand why so many do. In general, our health care system is an abysmal mess, and it’s not without responsibility for this epidemic of addiction. I say this as someone who worked within the system for 35 years.

I don't remember much on the day I had my withdrawal seizure. What I remember was an extreme hypersensitivity to all my senses. Sound hurt, light hurt, I didn't like the way things smelled, I didn't wanna be touched. I couldn't function at all. My brain was just gone. I was on basic autopilot because I couldn't think. My husband was with me when I had my seizure & that's the only reason why I know what happened to me that day. I had hit my head on the corner of a coffee table. He said it happened so fast he couldn't stop me. Then he seen the blood all over the floor coming from my head. He screamed for someone to call 911. I can remember coming to with ppl standing all around me & being told an ambulance was in the way, not to get up because of a possible head injury. The gash was so close to my left eyeball. I came so close to losing my eye! I had to have stitches. If that gash was any lower I wouldn't have it today. It split my eyebrow in half. So not only did I have a benzo injury, but a concussion injury as well, & a nasty deep wound on my face. Know what the hospital did? They gave 5 Ativans & told me to get help. No education, no support, & they sent me home. I had a major injury & they sent me home that same day.

I wish I could donate. I cannot believe this only has 735 views and 46 likes...

patient's are considered addicts in most cases and drug seeking. My insurance company (a well known Kaiser HMO) will not prescribe Suboxone so I have to obtain it outside of my insurance company