Dr. Heather Ashton – How to Taper Off Benzodiazepines


Dr. C. Heather Ashton is the leading expert on benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine withdrawal. In this clip, Dr. Ashton discusses her method of tapering off benzodiazepines. To order the DVD, visit PMAG’s website: www.psychmedaware.org Dr. Ashton, DR, FRCP, is an Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psycho-pharmacology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Dr. Ashton is an expert researcher and clinician in the area of addictive psychotropic drugs. She was the director of a benzodiazepine …

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This entry was posted on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 2:48 am and is filed under DRUG REHABILITATION. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

25 Responses to “Dr. Heather Ashton – How to Taper Off Benzodiazepines”

  1. snoopycool1 Says:

    Get support free benzowithdrawal com

  2. BerryCinnamon76 Says:

    Oh, well thanks…I may try some of that myself.

  3. BaileyLush Says:

    Nothing to special- Just a straight taper which I am having trouble with (lack of sleep mainly). But I plan to start titration soon. I like the idea of very precise dose cuts. Also I am doing everything I can to naturally negate the withdrawl- meditation, eating extremly clean, doing light exercise, yoga, etc etc. Bi neuaral beats are also helpng for the insomnia. I can’t wait to be off of this crud.

  4. BerryCinnamon76 Says:

    They recently switched me to klonopin but it makes me very dizzy. The withdrawal is still there, although it isn’t nearly as bad. Now they want to put me back on a low dosage of xanax (.25mg) to taper off of it. What are you doing in regards to tapering off of klonopin?

  5. akuma4u Says:

    that comment was made so long ago i dont even know if thats that comment you have mentioned is even the one i was replying to. but in any case, how could anyone love such an evil drug that does more harm than good? thats like me making a comment and saying “I <3 guns”

  6. BaileyLush Says:

    I *saw* the comment. He said I <3 Xanax. I don’t think that entitles you to such an obscene comment:/ But whatever. Have a nice night.

  7. akuma4u Says:

    no why dont you read before you type, i was replying to a jackass who was being stupid! why dont you read his comment!

  8. BaileyLush Says:

    Yeah. I am withdrawing Klonopin, and I have the aformentioned vertigo you speak of. My heart is also freaking the hell out. it takes time for your GABA receptors to up regulate or whatever. Go as slow as possible, and do the valium substitution if you need 2. Good luck, and god speed:)

  9. BaileyLush Says:

    Why would you wish that on anybody? Think before you type.

  10. BerryCinnamon76 Says:

    I’m trying to ween myself off of Xanax but finding it nearly impossible. Clearly, I’m not alone but I can’t really explain the effect not taking it has on me. I become extremely spaced out to the point where I can hardly stand up straight. It’s almost like when you get off a boat after a really long period of time only times a thousand. No feeling I’ve never experienced even remotely compares to how awful this is. Does anyone else know what i’m talking about?

  11. 3202hill Says:

    Dear Doctor Ashton,
    Who were you lecturing to junior college drug counselors? I have had anxiety disorder since my adolescence and am now 58 years old. During this time I have been on both methadone and valium/or klonopin since my twenties except for a period of 11.5 years clean during my 30′s. This is off all drugs.
    Now I could figure out gradual step-down off medications myself. It does not take a rocket scientist to know titration at lower doses must be smaller.

  12. akuma4u Says:

    everyone is different, xanax is the most potent, stopping abruptly can give you seizures and you can die from that.

  13. akuma4u Says:

    yea but when psychs and docs prescribe them, they give you orders to take them 2 or 3 times everyday not “as needed” so they basically create the dependency.

  14. akuma4u Says:

    good for you, i hope you get hooked and then try to come off, then tell me how much you love it

  15. Loveheals2 Says:

    Anyone dealing with benzo withdrawal should check out a website called Benzo Wise – it is full of information and is also very encouraging.

  16. loldimebagdied Says:

    I <3 XaNaX :)

  17. PDS12 Says:

    It should also be noted i have been using consistantly for about 6 months, and i have taperd myself down already from 6mg of xanax a day now im at 1mg as i said previously. My symptoms of benzo withdrawl include, Dillusion, hot and cold flashes, no appetite/nausea/vommiting(feels like there’s a huge bubble in my stomache),diarrhea, no sleep, constantly uncomfortable, back and leg pain, twitching,restlessness. Once again any advice is appreciated. Thanks

  18. PDS12 Says:

    unfortunatly i have to get mine on the street as i have no insurance any more and can’t afford to see a doctor, my dealer is out and i have 4.5 xanax left, ive taperd for the last maybe two weeks using 1 mg a day, now i will try to pull down to .25 mg, which should make 4.5 2mg xanax last 18 days but i dont kno that this is enough time, i tried to rapid detox off of one mg this weekend and only made it until around 6:00pm on day 2. Any advice for someone in my situation would help alot.Thanks

  19. 15879604 Says:

    This is a extremely safe and smart method if one has an addiction to Benzo’s they wish to end I did it quicker than this but was a little uncomfortable and had anxiety for a while but I just wanted to get off them. Take this women’s advice if you want to get off Bnzo’s in the safest most comfortabe manner. Withdrawal from Benzo’s is a lot worse than Opiates and can kill you,, no joke.

  20. snoopycool1 Says:

    If you have issues with benzodiazepines there is online support. For free online support benzowithdrawal com They helped many.

  21. randy109 Says:

    I’ve taken Xanax and/or Ativan for years. I make a point to NEVER take them two days in a row, regardless of anxiety, panic attack, etc… I find that by only using them three or four days a week I’ve never built up a tolerance and 1 mg. still works quite well. By the way I am an alcoholic and understand addiction quite well. MODERATION PEOPLE!!

  22. methoxymetopon Says:

    yes, there is always a possibility since everybody is different

  23. kashmic Says:

    of course not:)

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  25. kwanthony187 Says:

    lets say u only abused them(2mg xanax)for 6 months but u took 2-5 a day and went cold turkey. can u still die from withdraws a little later on?