by Jennifer Leigh | Sep 15, 2020 | Coping Skills |
I had an extremely traumatic withdrawal experience. I’m thankful that it’s over. I’m thankful too, that I didn’t have to deal with the chaos that is going on in the world today while I was recovering. The added stress is a big challenge. How do... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Aug 9, 2020 | Brain Facts, Food |
I had just gotten into bed after a long Saturday that saw me checking off a bunch of my Gotta-Do list when my phone started pinging. Message after message came in from a benzo buddy across the country. It was late his time, but clearly his excitement kept him from... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Jul 20, 2020 | Big Brain Question, Uncategorized |
What is the Big Brain Question? At your first inhalation, after you were born, your brain began “scanning” the environment (people, places, and things) and “asked,” “Am I safe?” This action, the determining of safety or danger, will... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Jun 14, 2020 | Coping Skills |
I’m way overdue for a blog post. My apologies. It’s been a busy past few weeks. I’m excited to share with you that I am extending my coaching practice to anxiety sufferers who are not on a benzodiazepine, in hopes that they will avoid going down that... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Jun 1, 2020 | Uncategorized |
This is not a typical post from me. It may be triggering for some. Read with caution. I have pondered and prayed for days—what’s the right thing to do in the wake of the murder of George Floyd? Do I write about it or not? After all, it’s not benzo related.... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Apr 20, 2020 | Recovery |
Chances are, most of our friends and family members have never experienced benzo withdrawal. They have a hard time understanding what we experience. They can’t appreciate how much effort it takes to get through a day or to hold onto the hope that we will heal.... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Apr 13, 2020 | Coping Skills |
Healing from the damage caused by taking a benzodiazepine doesn’t happen linearly. It’s not like recovering from a bad cold— each day getting a bit better, a bit brighter, after the peak of the infection. Healing comes in what is known in the benzo... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Apr 4, 2020 | Recovery |
The definition of trauma is to be unable to do anything to change the situation. i.e., the loss of control or a sense of helplessness. In benzo withdrawal, we feel traumatized—feeling that we have no control over what our bodies or our minds are doing— we don’t... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Mar 29, 2020 | Coping Skills |
When I think back to my taper and the months following my cold turkey, I am overwhelmed by the memories. It’s painful to remember what I experienced in benzo withdrawal. And it’s painful to know that many of you are experiencing some of the same things.... 
by Jennifer Leigh | Mar 21, 2020 | Coping Skills, Recovery |
Dear Benzo Buddies, My apologies that it has taken me a few weeks to connect with you here. As you may know, four weeks ago, I came down with the flu and was incredibly sick. I took some time off from individual coaching but managed to lead my Mornings With Jenn...