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Benzodiazepine Information Coalition
  • About BenzodiazepinesExpand
    • Benzo BasicsExpand
      • Ashton Manual
      • A Brief History Of Benzodiazepines
      • Class Actions, Lawsuits and Reporting Harm 
      • FDA 2020 Benzodiazepine Boxed Warning
      • Medications and Supplements of Concern
      • Sleeping Pills: What You Need to Know
      • Xanax Study Outcomes
    • PrescribingExpand
      • Addiction vs Physical Dependence
      • Genetic Testing
      • Informed Consent
      • Low Dose Benzodiazepines
      • Mechanism of Action
      • Prescribing Statistics
      • Steps to Reduce Benzodiazepine Overprescribing
      • Therapeutic Actions
    • Prescribing RisksExpand
      • Akathisia
      • Fluoroquinolones
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Interdose Withdrawal
      • Paradoxical Reactions
      • Physical Dependence
      • Risks of Remaining on Benzodiazepines
      • Red Flags
      • Short-Term Risks
      • Side Effects
      • Suicide
      • Tolerance
    • DeprescribingExpand
      • Ashton Manual
      • Detox, Cold Turkey, Abrupt Cessation
      • Dosages Prevent Safe Withdrawal
      • Estimates of Withdrawal
      • The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
      • How To Find Tapering Help
      • Phenobarbital
      • Tapering Strategies and Solutions
    • Desprescribing RisksExpand
      • Akathisia
      • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS)
      • Forced Switching or Stopping
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Kindling
      • Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome (PWS)
      • Suicide
      • Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms
    • Special PopulationsExpand
      • Benzodiazepines and PTSD
      • Celebrities
      • Benzodiazepines and COVID-19
      • Older Adults
      • Women
      • Incarcerated Population
      • Substance Use Disorders
  • About UsExpand
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  • Our ImpactExpand
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Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

Our Mission

Educating about the potential adverse effects of benzodiazepines taken as prescribed.

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About Us

Who we Are

We are a group of patients and medical professionals who believe the over-prescription of benzodiazepines without proper warning has resulted in a growing national epidemic of benzodiazepine injury. While we understand and respect the value of these drugs when used appropriately, deep and widespread ignorance of their risks on the part of patients and prescribers has caused enormous and preventable suffering.

Addiction or Harm?

Why Are We Solely Focused on Prescribed Use?

An analysis found that 12.5% of U.S. adults used benzodiazepines from 2015-2016, and only 0.2% met the criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD). Despite this, the mislabeling of prescribed patients as “addicted” continues in both medicine and the media, leading to confusion and dangerous, medically inappropriate treatments that can result in patient harm and protracted syndromes. This needs to change. 

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40-80%

of prescribed patients experience benzodiazepine withdrawal

10-15%

develop severe, lengthly protracted syndromes

Only 0.2%

of prescribed patients meet criteria for a substance abuse disorder or addiction

Media Outreach

Medical Research

Speaking & Events

Online Resources

OUR IMPACT

Programs & Projects

We seek to break the stigma and raise awareness around prescribed benzodiazepine injury, provide a voice to the patients who are suffering, and facilitate research and access to competent, evidence-based medical care for those impacted by benzodiazepine induced disability.

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ACTION NEEDED: Public Comments on Draft Deprescribing Guidelines for Older People
Blog | Our Impact

ACTION NEEDED: Public Comments on Draft Deprescribing Guidelines for Older People

ByBenzodiazepine Information Coalition May 19, 2025May 19, 2025

Now is the time to speak up. This is a worldwide call to action! These draft guidelines, if left uncorrected, will harm the very people they are intended to help. Your feedback can make a…

Read More ACTION NEEDED: Public Comments on Draft Deprescribing Guidelines for Older PeopleContinue

BIC on “When They Couldn’t Get Benzos Anymore, Quitting Was Torture”
Blog | Our Impact

BIC on “When They Couldn’t Get Benzos Anymore, Quitting Was Torture”

ByBenzodiazepine Information Coalition May 14, 2025May 14, 2025

In late March, we put out a call to action for U.S. patients who had suddenly lost access to their prescribed benzodiazepines, making safe tapering impossible. Today, we’re grateful to share that The New York Times has…

Read More BIC on “When They Couldn’t Get Benzos Anymore, Quitting Was Torture”Continue

2nd Annual Smithfield, Virginia Rotary Mental Health Expo
Blog | Events | Our Impact

2nd Annual Smithfield, Virginia Rotary Mental Health Expo

ByBenzodiazepine Information Coalition May 2, 2025

On April 30, 2025, the Smithfield Virginia Rotary hosted its 2nd Annual Mental Health Awareness Expo, and Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) was proud to once again be part of this event. Dr. Michael Bohan, a…

Read More 2nd Annual Smithfield, Virginia Rotary Mental Health ExpoContinue

While it might initially seem that these communities and video blogs are simply artifacts of the internet culture, a closer look at the stories told on these forums suggests a different message. The message is that physicians have been unprepared for these withdrawal disorders and are unable to treat or even guide patients through complicated withdrawal from these substances.

JOSEF WITT-DOERRING, M.D.
DARYL SHORTER, M.D. THOMAS KOSTEN, M.D.
SAFE + EASY DONATIONS​

Support Benzodiazepine Awareness and Help Us:

  • Gain recognition of the existence and severity of prescribed benzodiazepine injury
  • Hold and participate in events to educate prescribers and the public
  • Push for policies that protect patients on benzodiazepines, whether they choose to remain on or taper off
  • Protect those presented with benzodiazepines as a treatment option by giving them true informed consent
  • Create more media awareness about this silent epidemic
  • Advocate for more prescriber training in safe prescribing and cessation
  • Fund research and show the need for future research that helps the harmed
Donate

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Join us in making a difference today by supporting BIC with a tax-deductible donation.

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Notices

Benzodiazepine Information Coalition is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

EIN: 81-3442343

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© 2025 Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

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  • About Benzodiazepines
    • Benzo Basics
      • Ashton Manual
      • A Brief History Of Benzodiazepines
      • Class Actions, Lawsuits and Reporting Harm 
      • FDA 2020 Benzodiazepine Boxed Warning
      • Medications and Supplements of Concern
      • Sleeping Pills: What You Need to Know
      • Xanax Study Outcomes
    • Prescribing
      • Addiction vs Physical Dependence
      • Genetic Testing
      • Informed Consent
      • Low Dose Benzodiazepines
      • Mechanism of Action
      • Prescribing Statistics
      • Steps to Reduce Benzodiazepine Overprescribing
      • Therapeutic Actions
    • Prescribing Risks
      • Akathisia
      • Fluoroquinolones
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Interdose Withdrawal
      • Paradoxical Reactions
      • Physical Dependence
      • Risks of Remaining on Benzodiazepines
      • Red Flags
      • Short-Term Risks
      • Side Effects
      • Suicide
      • Tolerance
    • Deprescribing
      • Ashton Manual
      • Detox, Cold Turkey, Abrupt Cessation
      • Dosages Prevent Safe Withdrawal
      • Estimates of Withdrawal
      • The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
      • How To Find Tapering Help
      • Phenobarbital
      • Tapering Strategies and Solutions
    • Desprescribing Risks
      • Akathisia
      • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS)
      • Forced Switching or Stopping
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Kindling
      • Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome (PWS)
      • Suicide
      • Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms
    • Special Populations
      • Benzodiazepines and PTSD
      • Celebrities
      • Benzodiazepines and COVID-19
      • Older Adults
      • Women
      • Incarcerated Population
      • Substance Use Disorders
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Board Members and Advisors
    • Press Room
    • Receive Our Newsletter
    • FAQs
    • Volunteer
  • Our Impact
    • Media Outreach
    • Press Room
    • Programs
    • Research and Publications
    • Past Speaking and Events
    • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
    • Find Support
    • Benzodiazepine Cooperative Providers
    • Information
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Donate
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