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The Cost of Dependence

The Human Toll of Benzodiazepine Dependence

Once physiological dependence is established, regardless of how they became dependent, a large percentage of patients are caught in a no-win situation.  If they continue to use the medication as prescribed, they run the risk of continually feeling the “benzo flu” – which is a highly variable collection of the same symptoms experienced during withdrawal, often somewhat reduced in intensity.  If they try to taper off of benzodiazepines, they risk succumbing to the full range of withdrawal symptoms for a highly variable and unknowable time.  Either way, the patient suffers.  Here is a very small sampling of the stories of patients who have experienced benzodiazepine physiological dependence and withdrawal.

As Prescribed” Documentary Trailer

by Benzo Brains

3:26

The Many Faces of Benzo (Ativan Klonopin Xanax Valium) Withdrawal

by Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

8:57