About Us

our Philosophy

Those suffering from a benzodiazepine induced disability lack adequate support as they struggle to understand the cause of their suffering and find treatment. They are told the problem doesn’t exist, that it is “all in their head”, and are given irrelevant tests resulting in misdiagnosis. Even when the cause of the injury is discovered, medical professionals often employ a classic “addiction” model that is inappropriate, and often disabling, for the more common problem of benzodiazepine dependence resulting from prescribed usage under medical supervision. Patients should not be forced to undergo the most deadly drug withdrawal known to science based on information gathered from the internet. Yet, since accurate information is not provided by most prescribers, websites devoted to benzodiazepine withdrawal often perform a life-saving function. Because some patients have little-to-no trouble taking benzodiazepines or coming off of them, the medical community assumes this experience is, or should be, the norm. We believe the responsible response is more research into the extremely variant impacts these drugs have on different people. A deficit of information has allowed the benzodiazepine epidemic to spread for decades, and urgently requires redress.

As we work to raise awareness of the risks of these drugs, we also seek to end the silence and stigma that has surrounded benzodiazepine induced disability for more than half a century. We seek change by educating and partnering with doctors, mental health providers, journalists, lawmakers, researchers, the benzodiazepine-impacted community, and society at large. Our deep personal understanding of the medical and social needs of the benzodiazepine impacted community informs all of our advocacy, from education and outreach, to lobbying for more research and the passage of informed consent laws that equip doctors and their patients with knowledge about the risks of using these drugs in a non-emergency context. Our work will continue until benzodiazepines are at the forefront of the national healthcare conversation; until patients are given adequate informed consent; until the rate of injury is significantly lowered; and until those cases that remain are understood and treated appropriately.