As we celebrate our 8th anniversary, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters for being an essential part of our journey.
Since 2016, we have dedicated ourselves to raising awareness about the potential adverse effects of benzodiazepines when taken as prescribed. Our founders were inspired to act after witnessing the growth of benzodiazepine-injury support groupsānumbering in the tens of thousandsāwithout corresponding media, public, or medical community attention. While we’ve made significant strides over the years, much work remains.
Support Our Mission
Will you join us in this fight?
This year, weāre seeking recurring monthly donations of $8 (or more) to help sustain our mission. Your consistent support will enable us to continue and expand our efforts, reaching more people and making a greater impact. If everyone who has benefited from our information contributed just $8 a month, our mission would be fully funded.
We understand that not everyone can contribute financially at this time. If youāre unable to donate, please consider sharing this message with your network. Your support, in any form, is invaluable.
Together, we can build a world where those affected by prescribed benzodiazepines receive the support and care they deserve.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our mission!
Click the button below to visit our donation page.
Advocacy
Members of Benzodiazepine Information Coalition participated in the American Society of Addiction Medicineās (ASAM) Patient Advisory Panel to help establish deprescribing guidelines. Read more
Members of Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, Dr. Michael Bohan, Nicole Lamberson, PA, and Sonja Styblo, LMSW, gave testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery. They were joined by other patients and professionals who shared their perspectives on this important issue. Read more
Publications
Christy Huff, MD, and Nicole Lamberson, PA, played key roles as contributors, offering their knowledge and guidance to The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. Authored by Mark Horowitz, a Clinical Research Fellow and training psychiatrist with specialized knowledge in deprescribing, along with David Taylor, a Professor of Psychopharmacology, the guide offers clear instructions to assist medical providers in safely reducing or discontinuing the guidelines provide step-by-step guidance for commonly used medications, addressing pitfalls, troubleshooting, supportive strategies, and more. Read more
In this article, Christy Huff, MD, and other researchers highlight the various barriers faced by those attempting benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) discontinuation. They emphasize the need for additional support and advocate for holistic, person-centered approaches to facilitate the discontinuation of long-term BZRA use, taking into account each individual’s personal circumstances and broader social context. Read more
Josef Witt-Doerring, MD, along with other researchers, reviewed 113 global clinical guidelines on prescribing and deprescribing benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine receptor agonists. They found consensus against using these drugs as first-line treatments but noted inconsistent recommendations on specific drugs and tapering approaches. Guidelines favored gradual dose reduction and shared decision-making, though details on tapering strategies varied. Read more
Media
Radio Canadaās EnquĆŖte, titled Cauchemar Sur Ordonnance (Prescription Nightmare in English), explored the risks associated with prescribed benzodiazepines. The episode featured BICās medical director, Nicole Lamberson, PA, alongside other patients injured by benzodiazepines and experts, including Dr. Jim Wright, MD, PhD, FRCPC, a member of our medical advisory board. Watch here
In this Telegraph article, which BIC was honored to assist with, Anna shares her experience of permanent debilitating damage caused by temazepam, prescribed for sleep problems. Read more
This Daily Mail article includes insights from Nicole Lamberson, PA, about benzodiazepine harm. Read more
We were excited to assist with this Sydney Morning Herald article detailing Stephās struggle with benzodiazepine harm. Read more
This significant Washington Post article features both Nicole Lamberson, PA, and our late medical director, Christy Huff, MD. Read more
Podcasts
Christy Huff, MD, appeared on medical advisory board member Josef Witt-Doerring, MDās YouTube channel, Dr. Josef, to discuss microtapering. Watch here
In this episode of the Benzo Tired Podcast, Nicole Lamberson, PA speaks with Naftal about benzo lingo: explaining and discussing the language used in the benzo-harmed community. Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts
Nicole Lamberson, PA discusses physical dependence vs. addiction with medical advisory board member Mark Leeds, DO, covering topics such as tapering, the dangers of rapid detoxification, and the influences of the pharmaceutical industry on prescription practices. Watch here
Dr. Sande Bargeron, a PA and anesthesia provider with 20 years of experience, interviews BICās Nicole Lamberson, PA. After a personal health crisis, Dr. Sande pursued advanced education in natural and integrative medicine, promoting the motto āYour best doctor is YOU.ā In this episode, they discuss benzodiazepine tolerance and withdrawal, as well as the latest research, advocacy, and guidelines related to these prescriptions. Listen now
Events
Medical Advisory Board member Michael Bohan, MD hosted a public meetup titled āBenzodiazepine Injury: Awareness and Deprescribing.ā
He also participated in a Community Networking Event titled āCreating a Community of Support,ā hosted by the Eastern Virginia Medical Schoolās Physician Assistant Program. Learn more
Additionally, Dr. Bohan and volunteers with lived experience staffed our booth at the Smithfield Rotary Clubās inaugural āVibrant Emotional Health Expoā in Virginia. Learn more
How to Stay Informed
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