Insights from Ireland: Conversation with Dr. Colin Bradley (Part I)

Dr. Colin Bradley is a physician, professor, and a 2017 Fulbright Scholar. He has studied the opioid and benzodiazepine crises in both the U.S. and Ireland; and was appointed as an advisor to the Irish government on benzodiazepines.

In Part I of our conversation, we compare the benzo situation in Ireland and the U.S., explore the effects of limitations and litigation on prescribing, investigate street use in urban populations, and share our concern for prescribed use among the elderly among other topics. There’s a lot here. I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/insights-from-ireland-conversation-with-dr-colin-bradley-part-1-bfp087

Video ID: BFP087

Chapters

00:00 INTRODUCTION

07:52 INTERVIEW Intro

11:33 About Dr. Bradley

14:10 Fulbright Scholarship

16:58 Irish vs. U.S. Addiction Problems

19:38 Irish Benzo Awareness / Restrictions

23:08 Medication Accessibility for Tapering

24:12 Litigation Effects on Prescribing

28:05 Finding a Doctor

31:21 The Ashton Manual

33:30 U.S. Catching Up to Ireland

37:36 Benzos and the Elderly

39:04 Street Use in Cork

40:34 Closing

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.

MAILBAG

• Ashton, C. Heather. “Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual).” 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual.
• Byrne, Katie. “The hidden epidemic: How Ireland has become addicted to benzodiazepines.” Independent. February 27, 2018. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/health-features/the-hidden-epidemic-how-ireland-has-become-addicted-to-benzodiazepines-36636721.html.
• Dunphy, Liz. “Benzos are ‘little ticking time bombs’ on the streets of Cork.” Irish Examiner. May 24, 2021. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlight/arid-40293176.html.
• Foster, D E. “Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal.” Erie, CO: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book.
• University College Cork. “Research Profile: Colin Bradley.” Accessed August 8, 2021. http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/2001/c.bradley@ucc.ie.

Guest Bio

Colin Bradley is professor of general practice at University College Cork in Southern Ireland and leads the Department of General Practice in the UCC School of Medicine. He was also fortunate to be awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2017, which enabled him to travel to the US to study the opioid crisis. Around 2000, Colin was appointed to a group set up to advise the Irish government on benzodiazepines. This group published a report on benzodiazepine prescribing at that time and made a number of recommendations on how prescribing of these medicines could be improved and made safer. He is now working with a group of academics and people who have experienced issues with benzodiazepine use, and withdrawal to co-design some strategies to help better manage benzodiazepine related issues in primary care.

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).

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