For awhile, I’ve felt torn over working with people in withdrawal, or writing my daily Soul Reminders, and helping people grow spiritually. But I was looking at it all wrong. I saw it as either or. It isn’t. I realize that I can hold both in my heart. Besides, many of my Soul Reminder readers are in benzo withdrawal! Which leads me here, to this post, to say to you, that I now know my next steps. I’ve been waiting (as patiently as possible) for the path to appear. But the funny thing is, I was on the path! It’s been right under my feet all along! I’m being called to not only continue working with people in benzo withdrawal but to widen the scope of my work.
I’m truly honored to share that I am now (finally!) writing a benzo withdrawal guidebook for patients and doctors. I intend for the book to be a complete guide (and workbook) so that people are educated about the withdrawal process and they can cultivate good coping skills to navigate their way to recovery safely. I am including chapters for the medical profession so that they can become more educated about the withdrawal process. I want for them to stop harming us, and to help us. I’m motivated to write the book because of my own withdrawal experience, the stories of people I’ve spoken to from around the world, and also by the thousands of our military veterans—men and women I’ve not met—who are suffering from being medicated with a benzo.
My non-profit organization, Jennifer Leigh Ministries, is dedicated to serving people in benzo withdrawal. I am learning how to fundraise (it can’t be as scary as benzo withdrawal, right!) and hope to be fully funded this coming year. I’ve got a learning curve ahead of me, but I’ll get there. I am also creating a training course for the medical community and will do my best to share the best practices for benzo withdrawal.
It is my hope/dream to add more videos to this website in the coming year. I’d love to add a new one often (every day!) to help you feel less alone and less frightened. Let’s see if I can accomplish that during 2017.
In one of my posts, I wrote that I would no longer be coaching people in withdrawal past the new year. I’ve corrected that post. I’m more dedicated than ever to walk side by side with you until you get to your own recovery. As you know, my coaching often contains spiritual elements in it as I can’t fathom walking this journey without the help of our Creator. But you don’t have to have my faith to work with me. I want to be clear about that. I welcome everyone.
As we step into the last month of 2016, I marvel at the work God has done in my life over the last 6 years. I’ve truly been transformed into the person I always hoped I could be. My withdrawal journey turned out to be a gift. I’m certain that yours will be as well, once you are more healed and you have a different vantage point than you do now.
To those of you that I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with, know that I carry you in my heart every day. For those of you that I’ve not yet met, or never will meet, know that I carry you in my heart as well. I never knew what family really meant until I had my four children so many years ago, and when I joined the benzo withdrawal community in 2010. We have bonds to each other that only those who have experienced benzo withdrawal can understand. We’ve been forged together in the fire, inseparable, and unbreakable,
I look ahead with eager eyes, an open heart, and a willingness to be obedient to the steps God has placed in front of me. I am excited to be dedicated to helping those who are navigating benzo withdrawal, and also to those who care for them.
With all my good wishes and love,
Jennifer
Great post Jennifer! I look forward to the guide, as I will be withdrawing myself this coming year in 2017! It will be brutal & hell & it will take me probably well into 2018, & them years of course to heal, but hopefully with your support & that of the others as art of this community I will make it.
Thank you so much for continuing to keep this site going Ithas kept me going the last four years.
Thanks for doing this work, it is much needed. I am healed from Benzo withdrawal, and my belief in a higher power helped me through,and is so strong now. I am helping people on a smaller scale, helping one person one to one inBenzo withdrawal. It is so important to have one to talk to who understands what you are going through. Any way I can help, let me know. I made a short video of my experiences and hope that you do heal from it. You can use the video if you want.
It is such a gift that God has given you a vision that will bless so many people. His word says that we all have a purpose in this life and I am truly grateful he is using you to serve others who are suffering. My prayers will be with you as you go forward to accomplish His goal.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words and your prayers.
Thank you so much! I’ll keep you in mind. Blessings.
I am so glad that it has been helpful. Blessings.
You will make it! We will hold your hand every step of the way.
Jenn….so very proud of you and what you are accomplishing….such a very long road, so many painful obstacles, but you have always, always pushed forward, always helping others even as you fought this horror your self.
I know your book will be successful and hopefully make a change in the medical community….that is where it must start……..may your words be led by divine wisdom…..thank you Jenn!
Jenn, glad to hear you will continue your work helping guide people through withdrawal. And I love that you are writing a book for the medical community. I wonder, too, if it could include a chapter or guideline for therapists. You’ve written before that going to therapy is not helpful overall during withdrawal as most therapists aren’t benzo-wise, or they try to link withdrawal symptoms to something psychological. I’ve found that to be true; (however, having a personal support system has been helpful, even critical during this isolating time.) But having something to show a therapist (like your book) would be beneficial. All that to say: l love the work you do; I love the new video, and I hope your life continues to unfold in fulfilling ways.
My name is Peter – I have been going through hell the last 4+ months after taking myself off of Zyprexa and Valium after using for 6 years. I know that I have at least 3-4 months + left to complete this process. I will keep BUSY and talk to GOD a lot during this process. I will also seek input from this blog as I continue my journey to eradicate the BENZO withdrawal issues from my body.
God bless you as you recover. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Very much appreciated.
So glad you are going to continue!
Thank you so much for your advice, and for the
talks together. You have helped me (and the world!) more
than you know!
Jennifer – thanks for all that you do for those of us that are going through this very difficult process of withdrawing from BENZO’S. It means so much that someone else has our back. Keep up the good work! By the way we have snow in CT. Peter
Thank you! Snow!! I’m jelly. I’ve got to get back to Colorado this winter.
You are so welcome! I want everyone to get to this side of withdrawal safely. Recovery is awesome!
Jennifer,
YOUR INSIGHT – AWESOME!
YOUR LIGHT – DIVINE!
YOUR GRACE, BEAUTY & GOODNESS SHINES BRIGHT!
WITH GRATITUDE, Jerry
Welcome back Jen. I’ve missed you. We need you so much. xo