"Faking". The hair stood up on the back of my neck. Forced pink-slipped into a psych hospital, a dementia ward, from BIND, Xanax protracted withdrawal, a panic attack. The ward doctor told me I was "faking". You can't "fake" unbridled terror.

When my husband died in a vehicular accident I had to collect his personal stuff at the hospital; It was so pitiful. I couldn’t stop crying. they gave me two Valium in a tiny envelope. I took one and it was like a wonder drug. It calmed me and I could stop crying. Later that day I took the other pill and slept. I have always been an anxious person because of family problems I grew up with. I never felt so normal in my life as I did when I took that Valium. I never requested Valium, even after finding how well it worked. I only have ever had those two pills from the ER. I can see why they would be emotionally addictive.

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

It’s hard to come back to these things as a benzo wd survivor. It’s bringing tears to my eyes to see this channel offering this much needed resource and support to others going through these medication induced life changes. I was hesitant to subscribe because of the reminder of this time of my life, two years out after a long taper, but I absolutely must support this channel and this work. Thank you, sincerely.

I've been off xanax for 16 days now. I started to taper in 2020. I had been down to taking pieces of my dose only at night before bed diluted in water for a year before I stopped. I was so careful with myself bc if horror stories like his...i was so scared to get off. I had taken it daily for 27 years. There is hope for some of us to get off without it being a total nightmare.

My wife took benzos. Ended up with involuntary commitment due to botched taper. 15 years later, she has permanent brain damage. Our story is well documented in the award-winning documentary Death by Medicine a Gary Null production. We have a tragic and compelling story of iatrogenic injury that ended my wife's functional life. She exists but does not live. She is locked in a separate reality not of her making. There is a condition worse than death. I'm ready to tell my story.

My heart goes out to this man. He describes things exactly the way i described them. Im 13 months off and still have the same reaction to salad greens. I also still have the vibration. This is a double edged sword because its so comforting knowing there are people who understand but on the other hand its heart breaking to know other people are experiencing this nightmare.

The biggest shock I think is that Benzos only have 8 weeks of studies done! People have been on these pills for decades and we do not study it? Our medical system has fallen to greed. We need to take the ridiculous profit out of it somehow.

I am dumbfounded that there is not a class action suit for all of those that did not get informed consent re. PAWS.

As a psych nurse, I had no idea this could happen. Thank you for sharing ❤

I went off a 30 year benzo 7.5 5x a day in rehab over 5 weeks in rehab. I lost the ability to see, urinate, walk( I fell and broke my leg in rehab),drive (for 3 months), read, watch movies. Lost coordination, the use of my hands for a long

I suffered in long-term withdrawal from benzos for 3 years. I thought I must have cancer I had so much pain. I knocked myself out with Seroquel at night and just held on. Gradually the real me came back.

This man is telling my story .except im in a living hell today severe brainfog severe spinal pain chronic insomnia .

my heart goes out to Mr Yost and i thank him for sharing his terrible story for our benefit

This man is so incredibly strong.

I was on Ativan then Xanax for 14 years. Went to rehab and got off cold turkey in 23 days with non-benzo anti-seizure meds and gabapentin. Went back to work in one week after rebab. This was Oct of 2021 during covid. I'm still damaged over two years later. Muscle soreness and weakness. Memory problems and concentration issues. I have anxiety once in a while too, but no longer taking benzos. I'm alcohol free as well. 27 months sober but my life has changed. Life hurts every day. Life is agony.

Many thanks to this gentleman. My mother took benzodiazepines her whole life. I only now understand why there are so many oddities in her behavior. - Maybe I never knew my mother as she really is. I feel a deep sadness for her and for me but I finally understood. Lives ruined by this horrible drug. I suffered from panic attacks in my youth, the psychiatrist prescribed me "benzodiazepines" - I didn't take them because they made me dizzy, I couldn't work. The panic attacks disappeared without doing anything. - I would have fallen into the same trap. - Incredible! 🙏💐

I have taken benzos since I was 17 and am now 54. I had terrible anxiety and panic attacks and this med resolved all of it with the first dose back then. This med allowed me to have a great quality of life and productive career which I am still working in. No side effects and I feel totally normal. This me was a godsend for me. I will probably stay on it till the end as it is only positive for me. Obviously not everyone is so fortunate as I have been and I feel for them. Just thought I would share a positive side to benzos. Gave me a far better life and I am very thankful for them.

Thank you for this topic. Millions of Americans have been taking benzos since the 80's.

These rehabs need to be closed down .the exact same thing happened to me 13 days insurance stopped paying kicked me out .in full blown psycosis withdrawal its pure criminal .