BIC is Five!
Today, Benzodiazepine Information Coalition turned five. Looking back, I can’t believe how far we’ve come. Help us keep going. Celebrating Our Progress When I founded BIC in 2016, there wasn’t much out there. A lot…
Benzo Blunders: Braincast with “Pospo” and Professor Edward K. Silberman, on Benzodiazepines
Hosted by neuropsychiatrist Sotiris ”Pospo” Posporelis, this episode focused on benzodiazepines and featured Professor Edward K. Silberman. Knowing Dr. Silberman’s history, I was concerned that the podcast might result in spreading misinformation to prescribers and stigmatizing harmed patients. While the interview did get some important things right, my suspicions were ultimately confirmed.
Benzo Blunders: “Do Prescription Sleeping Pills Actually Work?”
Emily Laurence’s recent article, Do Prescription Sleeping Pills Actually Work?, appeared May 31 in the online outlet Well + Good. While I’m glad to see someone ask the question, the piece ultimately misses the mark, as it fails to warn about the most common issues with sleeping pill (benzodiazepine and Z-drug) prescription. It also ignores the dearth of literature about risk/benefit and harm and confuses physical dependence with addiction.
FDA 2020 Benzo Boxed Warning Freedom of Information Act
In 2017, Benzodiazepine Information Coalition initiated a campaign reporting patient harm to the FDA through their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting System. Many of the Facebook groups and BenzoBuddies joined in. We shared our message far and wide,…
Yes, Benzos Help Some: That Doesn’t Justify Ignoring Patient Safety
“Benzodiazepines help some people.” This common response to our message of patient harm prevention echoes throughout our online platforms. In some ways, who can blame these commenters? The opioid epidemic, to which the media frequently…
Benzo-Induced Harm: The Nameless Problem
I can’t believe I have to say this, but brain and neurological injuries are not addictions. One way that benzodiazepine-damaged patients are silenced is being forced to defend themselves against the addiction narrative that is…
Want to Prevent Suicide? Stop Ignoring Benzo Patients
The so-called ‘psychotically depressed’ person who tries to kill herself doesn’t do so out of quote ‘hopelessness’ or any abstract conviction that life’s assets and debits do not square. And surely not because death seems…
How to Find a Doctor: 10 Tips to Quit Benzos
I’m frequently asked “Where can I find a doctor to help me stop benzodiazepines?” In my opinion, the better question is “How can I be successful coming off benzodiazepines?” I’ll share some tips that may…