In February 2020, the daughter of the controversial Canadian professor, clinical psychologist, and best-selling author Jordan Peterson announced that her father had been suffering horrific withdrawal effects for many months, after cold-turkeying from Klonopin at the suggestion of a psychiatrist. Mikhaila Peterson reported that her father was close to death several times in North America, where he developed pneumonia, suffered from the medication-induced torture of akathisia, and became suicidal. Unable to find help in North America, he was then flown to Russia, where he apparently underwent a rapid detox. After the detox, Jordan went to Florida and then Serbia for further treatment. In June, 2020, Dr. Peterson shared his experience on The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast.
In October 2020, Peterson released a video. In the video he shared that he had returned home to Canada and remained severely impaired by his use of and withdrawal from his benzodiazepine prescription.
I took 1mg clonzapam for almost year . When I tapered for month and quit it . I suffered for 7 weeks
I thought I was going to die for sure . Some days I wished I did .
Iām at 14 and a half years since a too fast taper which was recommended by my doctor. Still suffering but am finally getting some
Good days. Best thing I can say is I had to just give into it and accept it and know that someday it will be over. Took me over a decade to learn that. Please donāt let this frighten you because it is unusual to take this long but at the same time I go looking for long protracted people because it was immensely comforting to find that Iām not alone.
He says he took it since 2017, thatās not 21 years.
I just saw Jordan Peterson on a podcast and he looks great. Iām wondering if he is taking a medication after his cold turkey off benzodiazapine???
I’ve been dependent on Klonopin for the past 21 years, never abused it, took it as prescribed. Doctors and rehabs don’t really understand how painful it is and they don’t have answers, which I can’t blame them for. Currently, I’m working on a micro-taper where I am cutting 1/100th of a milligram but it’s still insanely difficult.
Where is Siberia did he go for help. I have been suffering from protracted benzo withdrawal for 5 years now and am desperate for help. I have two kids and a wonderful husband and I would love help.
hi rachael, even tho i dont know u, im a hs student and i hope u got ur help that you need and i hope it got better
Rachel, I hope that your’e off of it. It is definitely possible & to feel normal again. It took me 4 years and it was from 2008-2012 & there weren’t the forums like today. I did it the hard way & most doctors don’t understand the drug. I was an insomniac/ walking zombie during that period. You need to find an experienced doctor that will do outpatient rehab. Micro dosing with Valium under a doctors care is the safe way to do it. Iv’e cold turkeyed too many times to count & had two gran mal seizures. It took me about a year off of it to feel somewhat normal- I was still not sleeping the best. Good sleep is so important too. I promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel.