I am planning to host the first annual Benzo Recovery Summit some time late this summer, or early fall. It’s a dream I have had for a while. Not sure I can pull it off, but I am going to do my best to make it a reality.
My vision for the summit is this: Benzo survivors can meet each other and share their stories. We will meet to brainstorm how to change the current prescribing laws, and how to get more media attention to the cause. Also, how to help others and their families who are still in wd. I see a time for educating doctors too. Not as adversaries, but as comrades in arms in the war against the damage these drugs do to people. I also see a time to have an open dialogue with the CEOS of the pharma companies that make benzos to ask them to help this cause. This is NOT a bitch session, a pity party, or a war on the doctors or drug companies.
The summit will be a time to share and care. I am hoping to get it hosted at Stanford, and will do my best to get media coverage so more people get educated about the dangers of these drugs and the long, hard road back to recovery that some of us have to travel.
I can’t do this alone. If anyone wants to join forces with me to brainstorm, make phone calls, plan, etc. please contact me and let me know. I have invited Bliss Johns to attend. She is unable to do so in person due to her heavy counseling career, but she has agreed to take the time off to appear live via satellite. I’ve invited Matt and I will invite Jack as well. I’ll do my best to find places for people to stay that are affordable. I realize that many are too sick to travel.
I may ask if Stevie Nicks will join us, or any other celeb who is now benzo free.
At this phase it is just a dream. But it’s a good dream. Anyone up for helping to make it a reality?
Don’t forget Jonathan Davis of Korn. He has a powerful story.
I would love to do this in the UK but for the moment my Benzo brain isn’t sufficiently functional. Perhaps one day it may be possible. I’ll follow with interest how you organise this Jenn and perhaps in the future it may be possible over here. Have you asked Heather Ashton to appear via satellite? She may be elderly but she is still the foremost expert in all this and could give a short input. There are several leading lights in the UK who want laws changed and doctors educated here.
In 9 days I’ll be at 4 months of WD.I’m in Europe and I have a lot of time on my hands.I would love to feel useful even though my brain is far from what it used to be.I don’t know but if I can help in any way,please let me know.
It sounds like a geat idea!
Hey Jenn,
I’d love to help however I can. Still very ill here at 14 months off, but I sit in front of the computer all day and can use the phone, etc. I also love making graphics and things so could help in that way. Let me know.
Nick
Hey Jenn,
I’d be happy to help. Still very ill at 14 months off, but I sit in front of the computer all day and can use the phone. I also like to make graphics and things, so if I can be of help in that way, let me know. This is a GREAT idea!
Nick
I’ll email you and we can connect. Thank you.
I don’t know his story. I’ll check it out. Thanks
I will look into it. Thank you.
Thank you. Let’s talk soon. Much appreciated.
Happy to help from home. 🙂
Ally
Awesome. I’ll be connecting with everyone soon
Jenn, I think this is a fabulous idea and would be glad to help. I am supporting my wife in this process and she is over 48 months out now. I have contacted the director of our local public health department to being awareness to this problem. One of the links I sent to him was yours. He responded in a positive way and say he would be willing to meet with me. A start, hopefully your idea will grow.
Larry
Would definitely like to help however I can….and will do my best to be there….have hoped for something like this for a long time….thank you for doing this….but also want to remind you to take care of yourself FIRST….
Where will this summit be? California?
If Stevie’s in, I’m in (or even if she’s not).
I am unfortunately still caught in the benzo trap. Going on three years trying to with drawl. Dr’s just keep putting me on more meds. Down to 3 mgs. Value and 25 mgs trazadone. Cannot sleep waking shaking and panicked. Can function through day but night seem endless. Will this ever stop? Six children and a busy busy schedule can healing ever come? Should I even continue w/d if I cannot find stability? Dr’s want me to be stable before I continue but that just means another benzo or drug. I feel like healing is somewhere just not within my grasp.
Sorry to hear its so hard. But as we all know there are no drugs that relieve Wd. When I got to the place you are at I jumped. For me there was no other way. It wasn’t fun or easy but I was free. And healing. Finally. Ashton says that for those who get really sick it’s often best to come off quickly.
I’m not telling you to ct. I’m simply passing on my story and sharing what’s in the manual. I wish you the best. I know it’s a hellish journey. I walked it myself. Much better now. You will be too. In time.
I’d like to be there if I can and I’m well.
Dear Jennifer,
I am living in Holland and I would like to brainstorm with you. I think that there is a nessecity to bring more awareness, to stop this evil drugs so that no one ever again will suffer the hell of benzodiazepine withdrawal. Last week I was standing under the shower and I thought that the only way to truly make a change will come from binding our forces from all over the world. I think it is the only way. For you to know I always functioned on high level as a clinical psychologist till the benzo use (for less then a year, prescriped and well, high doses with the statement that this was the most innocent drug for me). I am now almost 19 months off and still have 24/7 withdrawal. Disabled and well, but my mind is still there and I think we really can make a difference if we combine our powers. So if you wanna skype, sick or not I’ll be up for it.
Kind regards,
Patricia