Full Description
This easy-to-read, inspirational and supportive guide is essential reading for anyone struggling to overcome prescription drug dependency. Drawn from the author's personal knowledge of coming off benzodiazepine tranquillisers and her experience as a counsellor, this book explores everything you need to know before, during and after withdrawal, from how to recognise the symptoms to how to manage them and make firm steps towards recovery. With a focus on recovery and empowerment, it provides all the practical and emotional support needed to help you cope and regain control.This book will be a lifeline for anyone taking or withdrawing from sleeping pills, other benzodiazepine tranquillisers and antidepressants. It will also equip family and friends to offer support and provide counsellors, psychotherapists, complementary therapists and other health professionals with invaluable insight critical to providing best care.
Contents
Preface. Introduction.1. A Faded MemoryWork. About Antidepressants. About Sleeping Pills and other Benzodiazepines. Down-regulation. Tolerance. Half-Life. Paradoxical Reaction. Dependency or Addiction? 3. The Basics. "Cold Turkey". Tapering. Recovery Timeline. 4. Symptoms. Withdrawal or Underlying Issue? Acceptance. 5. Managing Psychological Symptoms. Brain Fog. Depersonalisation and Derealisation. Depressive Thoughts or Low Moods. Paranoid Ideation. Obsessive, Unwanted Thoughts. 'Rational' Mind. 6. Acute Withdrawal. Journal Logs. 7. Post-Acute and Protracted Withdrawal. Journal Logs. Progress Reports. 8. Coping Tools. 9. Stimulants, Supplements and Diet.10. Supporting Someone in Withdrawal. Tips. 11. Suicidal Ideation. What to do if Someone is Suicidal. 12. Counsellors. What Every Counsellor Should Know. 13. Doctors. What Patients Wish Their Doctors Knew. 14. Employment and Debt. 15. Recovery. Journal Logs. The Aftermath. 16. Closure. Letting Go. 17. Your New Chapter. 18. Success Stories. Protracted Duration. Normal Duration. Resources Guide. List of Common Antidepressants. List of Common Benzodiazepines. Equivalence Table. Symptoms A to Z. Bibliography. Index.
