Benzo Buddies

Although it is true that the doctors don't know what their drugs do quite often and do not recognize toxic reactions when they should absolutely recognize them, and that is the problem, doing 10 months to years of tapering with drug toxicity (which is a literal poisoning) is everything that is wrong with that site, and all the people who are even more clueless than the doctors are. They preach these ridiculously long tapers and are literally killing people and maiming them if they have toxicity.

You need to get off the drugs rather quickly to reduce cellular damage, and the fear mongering they blame on doctors is far more a product of the Ashton Manual and the horrifying advice than anything else. The site is a cult. It maimed me. I am now 11 years off, and I have no idea if I will ever be fine again.

I am not one of these little wimpy people either, and almost all of them are. The mentality on that site is pathetic. That cannot be good for anyone, and is often a product of that gawd awful Ashton tapering protocol which is very very dangerous, but you say that and you'll be banned from the site and attacked by the disgusting personalities that hang out in them like it's a dive bar. I tried to help them, but instead I end up understanding why people cannot stand the so-called mentally ill.

Never again. It's a cult.

BenzoBuddies was initially a lifeline as I entered acute withdrawals from taking Clonazepam as prescribed from trusted providers-for years.

I felt: Yes! That is what I am experiencing too!

I found some validation, support. Initially.

As weeks went on however,the horror stories of 30 months, 80+ months to find recovery, healing terrified me.

I tried sharing my own-as prescribed-story-tried supporting and encouraging everyone as being in this situation is simply unconscionable . The suffering is literally biblical.

I was suspended twice for reasons I only assume to be that I spoke highly of the medical community stating constantly that doctors take an oath to do no harm, 1. And 2, you decided to take this medication.

Period. Own it.

The moderators, IMO, have an agenda, their lives are solely focused on their own trauma and to disagree? State opposing views? Banned.

Anyone going through this torture should definitely read the forum in the persuit of knowledge then move on.

Move on! Trust science, your doctors and yourself.

Finally, if you are experiencing this brutal withdrawal from benzodiazepines? Its not your fault and it IS temporary.

And not 80 months temporary. Keep going and do not believe what you read on these Internet forums.

Benzo buddies being a "helping" forum is almost laughable. While swearing to the thought that "all psychological, psychiatrist, and mind altering medications" are basically attributed as demonic in nature, they apparently want you to substitute any sound mind reasoning there might be for their brainwash doom and gloom that hold people in their "happy to be poor me" complacency. At the urging of other members of the forum and administrators alike there is a common theme that the only way to get off benzos is to deviate from all medical professional help (physical and mental) and delve yourself into the Ashton cult like buy in. And if you don't do it the "Ashton way," and forbid actually follow your medical team or caretaker's medical advice then you are destined to be in a *** of perpetual unwellness forever.

Despite them "not giving medical advice." There is alot of it going around in that forum, by everyone. Yeah, what do call when they are telling you to not listen to your doctors or mental health facilitators? Don't dare list any other medications, including any high blood pressure medications while on the forum..you are doomed to be burned at the stake like a salem witch for seeking a "witch" doctor's help. You can seek help for blood pressure meds to alleviate side effects, but if you have high blood pressure it is just one of the 1 billion and 1 side effects you can have when you are going off benzos , which apparently can range to anything from the desire to eat dog food, brittle nails, and obsessive toe stubbing on your night stand (no kidding!).

Before anyone gets on me, I want to say that yes, I was a member, and I deleted and asked to be blocked. I was on ativan, and no doubt, it was hard to get off of, but I did so successfully under the guidance of my doctor, whom while I was on the forum was totally wrong for having me taper my amount over 6 months instead of the 3 years it should have taken me doing Ashton. I had my account deleted 3 weeks before I was done, because I was a hot freaking mess. I realize that a big part of it was my buy in to the Ashton method, and I could have went at any time. But, I bought in to the doom and gloom. I tell you what, i had every symptom they could have mentioned, or might I say, I made myself experience every symptom that they could have convinced me I had. They held my mind at bay by telling me what a freaking mess I would be without them. Until it didn't. I knew that spending day in and day out on that forum was robbing my life and literally driving me crazy. I feel sorry for the long termers who have been there and could easily be helped if they would just get off behind that scream and reach someone tangible. For the short termers or new people on there each day seeking help, no doubt most of them will be giving in to the doom and gloom.

As for me, giving up on that forum was the best decision I ever made a year ago. Sure there were hard days after I finished the doctor assisted ativan taper. No doubt I had withdrawal. But, at its worst, it wasn't as bad as the day to day *** I had convinced myself of at the hands of the Benzo Buddies. A year later, my life is almost back to what it was before my doctor had given me Ativan for almost a year, and the taper for the six months of that, which was still progressively long I feel for my use, but, I had a doctor that understood and guided me, and for that I am thankful.

While many online forums are great for many people and many things, something as dangerous as a controlled substance such as benzos should not be sought behind the help of a public forum.

Turn around if you seek help there, that is my advice. Go and run. Unless you have a sound mind that won't bay at the astonishing amount of brainwashing and losing your will.

Benzo Buddies should be a form of psychological warfare, to bring the enemy down. Give your opposing benzos, get them addicted, and then direct them to Benzo buddies...no doubt you will be victorious!

stalkers, ppl sending you pm that you are ''very similar'' and therefore they want to meet you .... (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), its supposed to be an anonymous heaven? I had one member asking specifically for personal info from me, where to i work, where do i live etc, claiming he feels close to me (!!!???)

some mods sound as if its god himself! your not allowed to say anything without his approval !!! not even about using milk instead of alcohol to titrate!!! milk is FORBIDDEN ...?

unnecessary arguments, in a forum that is supposed to be there for ''support'' :/ Making things worse for you because last thing you want as sufferer is to have people judge you and give you advice that contradict your reality but makes them feel like docs or gos...

Some admins are ok, but some others definetally play gods on sick people. Shameful.