Resources

The Ashton Manual is a comprehensive guide created by Professor Heather Ashton, a renowned expert in psychopharmacology. This manual provides detailed information about benzodiazepines, their effects on the body and mind, withdrawal protocols, and strategies for tapering off these medications safely. It's a highly respected resource utilized by medical professionals, individuals affected by benzodiazepine use, and their families seeking reliable information and guidance.

 

This manual can be found at benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual/

The Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the risks associated with benzodiazepines. BIC focuses on advocating for better prescribing practices, improving informed consent, supporting individuals affected by benzodiazepine use, and promoting research into the long-term effects of these medications. The coalition collaborates with medical professionals, researchers, policymakers, and individuals impacted by benzodiazepine use to provide accurate information, support, and resources. BIC also strives to initiate discussions and policy changes aimed at enhancing education, awareness, and safer practices regarding benzodiazepines within the medical and general communities.

 

They can be found on Youtube and at benzoinfo.com

The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the safe and appropriate use of benzodiazepines. Their mission is to raise awareness of the risks associated with these medications and advocate for evidence-based clinical practice that improves safety and quality of life.

 

They can be found at benzoreform.org

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention is a collaborative initiative formed to address the growing concerns related to prescription drug abuse in Colorado. It's composed of various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, public health officials, educators, community leaders, and individuals affected by prescription drug abuse.

 

The consortium focuses on several key objectives, such as:

 

1. **Prevention:** Implementing strategies to prevent the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs through education, awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions.

 

2. **Treatment:** Improving access to evidence-based treatment programs for individuals struggling with prescription drug addiction and substance use disorders.

 

3. **Policy and Legislation:** Advocating for and supporting policies and regulations that promote safe prescribing practices, enhance prescription drug monitoring programs, and improve access to addiction treatment services.

 

4. **Data and Research:** Conducting research and collecting data to better understand prescription drug abuse trends, identify areas of concern, and develop informed strategies for intervention.

 

The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention plays a pivotal role in coordinating efforts among various sectors to combat prescription drug abuse, reduce its impact on communities, and promote public health and safety across the state of Colorado.

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They can be found at corxconsortium.org

Recovering from Benzodiazepines for Peer Specialists. This 12-hour training course is designed to educate peers, counselors, caregivers and providers on specialized information regarding benzodiazepine use, its associated complications such as withdrawal and Benzodiazepine Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND) (protracted withdrawal), and how to support the individual as they taper, heal, and find wellness.

 

You can find information for this training at benzopeertraining.org

Created and led by Evelyn Hawkins, Founder of Benzo Nation. This free, invite-only Discord community is a safe, supportive space for those harmed by benzodiazepines and psychiatric medications. Whether you’re in the midst of a taper, newly off, or protracted, you don’t have to walk this journey alone.

 

What This Community Offers:

 

✅ Peer Support & Connection – Surround yourself with others who truly understand your journey.
✅ Inspirational & Creative Channels – Share your story, express yourself, and find motivation.
✅ Live 24/7 Video Chat – Join real-time conversations any time of day or night.
✅ Special Events & Guest Speakers – Learn from experts, advocates, and those who have walked this path before.
✅ Interactive Game Play – Engaging activities to help you get through tough moments and bring some lightness to your day.

 

This free community is designed to provide support, encouragement, and connection in a private, welcoming environment.

 

If you’d like to join, please send an email request to ehawkins@benzonation.org with:

 

📌 Your current status (tapering, newly off, or protracted).
📌 Why you’d like to be a part of this community.

 

You are not alone. We’re here and healing together. 💙

A Facebook group dedicated to providing information, support, and resources for individuals affected by benzodiazepines.

 

They can also be found at benzowarrior.com

Uneven is a community designed to support individuals dealing with anxiety, the complexities of psychiatric medications (such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and GABAergic drugs), and the challenges of modern life. Founded by D Foster, the platform offers a compassionate space led by individuals with lived experience, providing understanding and guidance to help members navigate their struggles.

 

Community Features Include:

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• Empathetic Community: A friendly and understanding environment where members support and encourage each other.

• Expert-Led Content: Access to content created by experienced hosts, guides, and contributors, including courses, live events, and interactive discussions.

• User-Friendly Platform: Built on the Mighty Networks platform, offering a clean interface, dedicated mobile apps, private networking without intrusive ads, direct messaging, customizable sub-groups, and a variety of weekly and monthly live events.

• Future Enhancements: Plans to introduce support groups, courses, in-person events, and more in 2025.

 

For those seeking connection, understanding, and assistance in managing life's challenges, Uneven.life offers a welcoming and resource-rich community.

 

You can connect with the Uneven community at uneven.life

HeartCore Collective is a healing community founded by Angie Peacock, MSW, CPC, dedicated to empowering individuals on their mental health journeys. With a focus on holistic wellness and psychiatric drug withdrawal support, HeartCore Collective provides a safe, compassionate space for those seeking guidance outside of traditional medical models.

Their mission is to support informed decision-making, personal growth, and self-empowerment through non-medical, person-centered approaches. The collective recognizes the complexities of psychiatric medication withdrawal and the importance of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and individualized support.

 

What They Offer:

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✔ Coaching – One-on-one guidance tailored to personal healing, empowerment, and navigating psychiatric drug withdrawal.
✔ Support Circles – Community-driven spaces offering connection, shared experiences, and peer support.
✔ Educational Resources – Tools, courses, and information to help individuals make informed choices about their mental health and wellness journey.

 

Angie Peacock, a psychiatric drug withdrawal consultant and healing coach, leads the initiative with expertise, lived experience, and a deep commitment to helping others regain autonomy over their well-being. Her work emphasizes trauma-informed care, harm reduction strategies, and holistic healing, ensuring that each individual feels seen, heard, and supported.

 

To learn more or connect with Angie and her team, visit angiepeacock.com

The movie "Medicating Normal" is a film that delves into the widespread use of psychiatric medications, particularly focusing on benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and other psychotropic drugs. The film explores the experiences of individuals who have been prescribed these medications for various mental health conditions and the often complex journey of navigating their effects.

 

The documentary sheds light on the potential risks and adverse effects associated with long-term use of these medications, including benzodiazepines, and the challenges individuals face when trying to discontinue or taper off them. It addresses concerns about overprescribing, withdrawal effects, the impact on mental health, and the broader societal implications of relying heavily on these medications for mental health treatment.

 

"Medicating Normal" aims to stimulate critical conversations about the use of psychiatric medications, the need for informed consent, the importance of comprehensive mental health care, and the complexities individuals encounter when attempting to manage their mental health conditions while considering the benefits and risks of these medications.

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This film can be watched on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

The film "As Prescribed" documents a strikingly different narrative, following eye-opening stories of invisible illness and disability. Boston-based survivor Geraldine Burns leads a grassroots army of “good patients” that help other victims and advocate tirelessly for benzodiazepine harm awareness. But resistance is strong. Geraldine and her cohorts are opposed by powerful forces that include pharmaceutical giants and a medical culture that has denied the problem for decades.

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This film can be watched at asprescribedfilm.com