Beyond Benzos: Benzo Addiction, Benzo Withdrawal, and Long-term Recovery from Benzodiazepines Paperback – August 21, 2015

Wow- this was an intense read. Let's face it; benzodiazepine addiction has risen in disturbing numbers over the last ten years, and most Americans refuse to admit it. We're taught to trust doctors and medicine companies- and not to question their motives and practices. With that being said, benzos are highly addictive and many patients who are prescribed these very addictive meds have trouble removing themselves from them.This book takes a detailed look into Benzo addiction, withdrawal, and recovery. I've heard so much about addiction to prescription meds, but I've never really read into it before. I avoid them at all costs, myself, but when I saw this book I took an interest. I know A LOT of people who are in some way impacted by benzodiazepines addiction- whether it's battling it themselves or watching a family member try to overcome it. I went into this book with an open mind. I basically just wanted to educate myself on a problem that is becoming increasingly popular in the US.This book is thorough and very informative. It goes into detail on all aspects of benzodiazepines addiction. The book provides a lot of statistics and factual information regarding the use of benzos in America today- and how they are impacting hundreds of thousands of people. The book also goes into great detail on the withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines addiction and why it is SO hard to quit taking these very addictive drugs. I had never really realized the impact that these drugs have on your body and how reliant you can become on them, very quickly. If anything, this book has discouraged me from ever relying on a prescription medication to heal my body over a long-term period of time.But the true purpose of this book is not to merely explain addiction- but to help people overcome it. And that is where this book earns its five stars. Beyond Benzos is a book that truly offers up a detailed array of information and resources for living beyond benzo addiction. It focuses on a life-long recovery process and tries to give its readers the tools they need to succeed in quitting and never returning to benzodiazepines abuse. I, fortunately, am not struggling with this addiction- but I know that this book could help so many people who are. Because of that, I can't more highly rate it- and I definitely recommend it to people struggling with benzo abuse.

First off, I'm not an addict. I don't crave pills and I don't fit a lot of the descriptions in the book. I'm tapering because I was given pills for anxiety for years. Most if the time I would forget to take them. So if you are tapering and want support then look for others books. Also some facts are not in stone and are scary. If you are addicted to other pills and crave pills then yes, this book is for you. If not and you are like me, you became dependant. However, withdrawal can take years and from my own personal experience with this as well my years of research it is not anywhere near as simple as this book description. This month I walk away from a five year taper (pure undefined hell) and I get to start my life over again. I don't even think about benzos. (Like the books addiction states) But reading these mock stories and seeing how 32% and 84% of people can get Alzheimer's from one medical study is scary. Yes, it's true, however when you or a friend or family member is going through a taper, we need less fear. There are good forums for this too online. Benzobuddies is a forum that is amazing. Although this is a good "fact" book, I'm sorry but it does not cut it at all compared to anything that Bliss Johns or Jack Hobson wrote. Sorry

The author rants about how evil prescriptions are and how addictions work. He does have some salient points about what benzo withdrawal was like for him and that his life is now better. Aside from a decent amount of resources for help (which can be found with a google search) this book is pretty basic. "People shouldn't take benzos, withdrawal is hell, but your life is so much better after. Be strong." That's pretty much the book.

This book is a thorough guide about benzodiazepine addiction and subsequent road to recovery. With detailed insights on specific benzodiazepines and their nefarious effects, this highly informative book deals with each type and the way it can take hold. The author, who is a recovered addict, shares her experiences and real-life observations to each topic covered. Her openness to share and bravery in telling her story makes the book feel authentic and pure. She has also included personal stories from individuals who have both suffered and then succeeded. Which will certainly leave you feeling less alone. I found the section on tapering and withdrawal to be useful. The charts in it were excellent. This is an exceptional book that is well-researched and laid out. I highly recommend it for someone who feels they might have a problem with benzos or for friends and family of a person who is struggling.

Excellent book! Author very knowledgeable and being an addict herself knew how to get all the important information out to us ex- benzo users. Refreshing to find somebody who actually believes that you can and do go through benzo withdrawal effects because she went through it herself. All the doctors that I had to deal with during my withdrawal refuse to believe me. I thought I was losing my mind! Her book made me realize that I was very normal and that I would make it through. I thank God and my family and special friends who did not give up on me during this time. I have been off benzos for eleven months now and still doing good.