Pioneering Benzo Awareness: An Interview with Geraldine Burns (Part 2 of 2)

Geraldine Burns has been a pioneer in the benzo community for over 20 years. She is the founder of the first support group of its kind on the Internet, is host of a benzo podcast, and was a key player in the publication of the Ashton Manual.

In Part II of this interview, Geraldine discusses the legislative efforts in Massachusetts, takes a look at the story behind BenzoBookReview.com, explores the continuing crisis of over-prescribing, and provides some wonderful tips for surviving withdrawal.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/pioneering-benzo-awareness-an-interview-with-geraldine-burns-part-2-of-2-bfp027

Video ID: BFP027

Chapters

00:00 Episode Introduction

01:52 Shenpa: Easing the Urge to React

09:15 Episode Format

11:10 Interview Intro

11:29 Benzo Legislation

18:52 Benzo Book Review

22:53 Why Stories Help

24:55 Finding a Doctor

27:11 How to Get Ready to Taper

31:48 Find Your Own Path

32:21 Should Benzos Be Banned?

33:30 Closing Advice

36:04 Wrapping Up Part II

36:52 Moment of Peace

Episode Summary

Geraldine Burns has been a pioneer in helping to get the word out about the potential dangers of benzodiazepines. In 1999 she started the first Internet support group for people wishing to withdraw from tranquilizers or already off and having problems. This was the first group of its kind and before it closed had close to 4,000 members internationally. The group was started to offer 24 hour/7 days a week support to people who have been made ill by prescription medications, to learn about symptoms of withdrawal, learn about tapering methods, and natural methods of healing. She is dedicated to the responsible and informed use of addictive prescription drugs.

Resources

The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.

• Chodron, Pema. “Don’t Bite the Hook.” Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Bite-Hook-Resentment-Destructive/dp/B00BW8X5HO.
• ReShel, Azriel. “Shenpa and the Art of Not Getting Hooked.” Uplift Connect. March 23, 2017. Accessed July 8, 2019.https://upliftconnect.com/shenpa-art-of-not-getting-hooked.
• GERALDINE’S PODCAST: “Benzodiazepine Awareness with Geraldine Burns”
• GERALDINE’S WEBSITE: BenzoBookReview.com
• “As Prescribed” – A Documentary Film on the Benzo Crisis

The Podcast

The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata).

WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com

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CREDITS

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Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross

PRODUCTION

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