The Tranquilizer Trap: The scandal over benzodiazepines gets different emphasis in UK and US

madness-narrative:

Earlier this week, The Times in Britain ran a front-page story on the results of a detailed investigation it had conducted into tranquilizers Britons and North Americans are known to take in large numbers. “The Tranquilliser Trap: Scandal of 1 million hooked on benzodiazepines,” its report, uncovered “the plight of more than a million people [in Britain] addicted to tranquillisers prescribed by their doctor.”…

…“The Times has spoken to dozens of patients who have taken the tranquilliser for years, enduring shocking side effects. They have told of the harrowing process of trying to wean themselves off a drug considered more addictive than heroin.”

“Many are unable to work or engage with family and friends,” health editor Martin Barrow writes of the patients, and “some have contemplated suicide.” His article not only runs to three pages, but also is rare in detailing the scope and extent of some patients’ suffering while on the medication.

read more
Pdf of the Times piece from Monica Cassani at Beyond Meds
Update in The Times (October 5, 2012): “Doctor’s orders ruined our lives, say ‘benzo’ addicts.”

thank you: Beyond Meds

Notes

  1. omnimodus reblogged this from madness-narrative and added:
    fucking this I’ve had a benzo problem since I was first prescribed Ativan at 14. I got no warning from my doctor that...
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