Nicole Lamberson on Benzodiazepine Dependence and Safer Tapering
Episode Overview
Physical dependence on benzodiazepines is often mistaken for addiction. Rapid detox can severely damage the nervous system. Slow, carefully monitored tapering protocols are essential for safety. Education and advocacy are crucial for improving treatment approaches. Compassionate and informed care is vital for patient recovery.
You can have a withdrawal syndrome just by way of taking the drugs on a daily basis exactly as prescribed by your physician
In this episode of The Rehab, Nicole Lamberson joins Dr. Leeds to shed light on the critical distinction between physical dependence and addiction, particularly with benzodiazepines. Nicole, a survivor of harmful detox practices and co-founder of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC), shares her journey and the challenges faced by those dependent on these medications. The conversation highlights the alarming gap in medical understanding and the dangers of rapid detox, which can severely damage the nervous system.
Nicole emphasises that many doctors confuse dependence with addiction, leading to inappropriate treatments that can cause more harm than good. She advocates for slow, carefully monitored tapering protocols to ensure patient safety. Dr. Leeds and Nicole also discuss the role of education and advocacy in changing how benzodiazepine dependence is treated, stressing the importance of compassionate and informed care.
The episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by or interested in the complexities of benzodiazepine dependence and the urgent need for better medical guidelines.