A Word About Recovery – by Steven Wright, MD
Many people – perhaps yourself or a loved one – have had terrible experiences with benzodiazepines (benzo brain injury) as well as the underlying medical condition(s) they were intended to treat. It can be very difficult to see a way forward when feeling assaulted by drug or disease over a long period of time. It is very hard to build a new plan when prior attempts fell short. It is hard to remain hopeful.
The great 13th century poet, Rumi, said, “Do not turn away from the bandaged area – that is where the light comes in”. This is not to glorify the path of suffering or to sugar-coat the experience or in any way to imply that it is somehow redemptive. A disabling medical condition and / or experience with medications that appears as the “enemy”, as something to be vanquished – if persistent, becomes an (unwelcome) companion in your journey. How can there ever be solace in that?
Recovery – whether from drug or disease – means somehow embracing and developing a future with meaning, purpose, and hope. While drug or disease has the potential for destruction, recovery has the potential for a life well worth living … well worth your attention. It is not an obvious path because what means most to each person is different and each of us must find our own way. Explore those ways that means most to you and do that by pulling support around you. “What is essential to life is invisible to the eye”, to the outside observer. It is possible what is essential can become evident despite disabling drug or disease, which have the potential – not to say that is certain – to become teachers perhaps even friends, though hard to imagine.
Many prescribers – myself included – have been a part of the problem. For many this is inadvertent, for many it was a matter of not knowing, for many not listening to those who struggled. To all the benzodiazepine survivors who did not make it and to all those who still kept faith while we (I) weren’t listening: I am sorry. Now is the time to bend the curve away from poor prescribing practices – recovery in a different way. Time to help prescribers help those in need, time to reshape prescribing practices to minimize harm for others.
