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Look, this post isn't about JP specifically; it's about benzodiazepines.
As someone who has *almost* successfully withdrawn from a very serious and dangerous dependence upon them myself, I feel duty-bound to explain the following... 1/ https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/epgb37/what-drug-experts-say-about-jordan-petersons-benzo-dependence
As someone who has *almost* successfully withdrawn from a very serious and dangerous dependence upon them myself, I feel duty-bound to explain the following... 1/ https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/epgb37/what-drug-experts-say-about-jordan-petersons-benzo-dependence
Benzodiazepines (Zanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, etc.) are well-known to most people, and most people will have been given them in a clinical setting at some point, or prescribed them for back pain, sleep problems, or anxiety, and so on. Look them up if you want to know more. 2/
The problem with them is their insidious effects upon the brain and central nervous system when used for longer periods or time, or if taken sporadically in high doses recreationally. They often induce a euphoric effect (to begin with) as they give addled and poorly... 3/
... regulated central nervous systems some respite. (Think about chronic pain or emotional/psych. trauma and imagine a switch which you can flip that turns all the tension and anxiety off. It's...lovely.)
So, they're a salve. They're a cushion; a blanket; a friend.
But... 4/
So, they're a salve. They're a cushion; a blanket; a friend.
But... 4/
They fuck you.
After a while, a thing called "tolerance withdrawal" sets in, and they begin to lose their efficacy. This usually results in higher dosing. Makes sense, right? And with higher dosing comes the familiar and desired result once more. Only not for long. 5/
After a while, a thing called "tolerance withdrawal" sets in, and they begin to lose their efficacy. This usually results in higher dosing. Makes sense, right? And with higher dosing comes the familiar and desired result once more. Only not for long. 5/
It doesn't matter how high the dose; eventually, tolerance w/d happens. In the end, on a very high dose (I was on equiv. of ~50 mg Diazepam. High, but not as high as some), there are withdrawals between doses, and even during doses.
Now, withdrawal... 6/
Now, withdrawal... 6/
I once had to go cold turkey for 16 days while at the height of my dependence, and I was close to psychosis. My whole system was fucked, and each day was *worse* than the previous one. Alcohol was a minor relief (similar mechanism), but not really. I was just waiting for... 7/
... my body and my mind to give. Seizures can occur. Hallucinations. Derealisation and dissociation are common. People report *all kinds* of shit. I mostly just felt that I was on my way to being irreparably damaged, mentally and physically. My symptoms were so nebulous... 8/
... that I would summarise them by saying that I was completely fucked. It. Was. Terrifying.
I eventually got some meds and finally persuaded a doctor to prescribe for me (I'd been buying online b/c no-one would prescribe - an entirely different story) and began my... 9/
I eventually got some meds and finally persuaded a doctor to prescribe for me (I'd been buying online b/c no-one would prescribe - an entirely different story) and began my... 9/
... so-far-successful tapered withdrawal.
But - and here's the thing:
IT'S TAKEN 4 YEARS SO FAR.
Because it's had to. It's really dangerous to "do a detox". There's no such thing. Look it up. And I have emails (or had, at least) from the literal expert in the field... 10/
But - and here's the thing:
IT'S TAKEN 4 YEARS SO FAR.
Because it's had to. It's really dangerous to "do a detox". There's no such thing. Look it up. And I have emails (or had, at least) from the literal expert in the field... 10/
... specifically stating this (Professor Heather Ashton, for the record).
So... Please, PLEASE don't go to Russia for a "medical detox". And do not - ever - make someone go cold turkey. This medication is no joke. It isn't nicotine. It will eat you alive. 10/
So... Please, PLEASE don't go to Russia for a "medical detox". And do not - ever - make someone go cold turkey. This medication is no joke. It isn't nicotine. It will eat you alive. 10/
If you need to, make a doctor listen to you and show them the Ashton Manual (it's online). You need to taper your withdrawal. It needs to be slow. It need to be safe. It needs compassion and time.
Thank you
Thank you
