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/

Outro Health is a pioneering virtual clinic dedicated to helping people safely taper and deprescribe psychiatric medications. Founded by Dr. Mark Horowitz, MD PhD, a psychiatrist and researcher who has both personal and professional experience with antidepressant withdrawal, Outro blends science with compassion to guide each client through a safe, gradual reduction process.

Their care includes a personalized taper plan using the hyperbolic method, ongoing clinical support through virtual visits, custom compounded doses when needed, and holistic guidance for sleep, nutrition, and emotional wellness. The team monitors your progress through digital symptom tracking and secure messaging, ensuring you’re never alone during your taper.

Dr. Horowitz—co-author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines—built Outro to restore autonomy and safety to medication transitions, offering hope to those ready to live well without dependence on psychiatric drugs.

Aligned with the mission of Valor & Bloom Coaching, Outro Health stands as a trusted partner for those rising from the ashes and reclaiming their health with confidence and care.

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For more information, check out: Outro.com

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

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