Support

These drugs are potent and highly addictive and withdrawal can be complicated, painful and traumatic. Successful and safe withdrawal from the prescribed dose can take six to eighteen months, and may be followed by a post-withdrawal syndrome. Many addicts are unable to withdraw without specialized help.
The Department of Health has for many years excluded this illness from treatment.
The National Treatment Agency which provides drug services for the Department of Health routinely turns away patients who are addicted to tranquillisers.
GPs do not have the time, training or expertise to deal with this problem

After taking benzodiazepines for longer than two weeks DO NOT STOP ABRUPTLY STOP - gradual tapering is required

A list of Voluntary Support is given below:

• BAT – Batle Against Tranquillisers, PO Box 658, Bristol, BS99 1XP.Support for carers. Aims to help people who wish to withdraw from tranquillisers or sleeping pills. Provides individual counselling and local support groups.

        Tel: 0117 9663629/9653463. Mon-Sun 9am-8pm.

• Council for Tranquillisers, Anti-depressants and Painkillers (CITA) Advice and support for people addicted to tranquillisers and sleeping tablets. Information, advice and leaflets available on anxiety, tranquillisers and anti-depressants. Training offered for professionals.

         Tel: 0151 474 9626         Fax: 0151 284 8324.

        Helpline: 0151 932 0102 (Mondays to Fridays 10am-1pm).

• TRANX (Oldham), Rock Street Resource Centre, Oldham, England UK meets on Mondays from 10:45am – 12:45pm.

        Tel:     Barry Haslam on 01457 876355.

• TRANX ACTION (BRIGHTON AREA), 22 Richmond Place, Brighton. BN2 2NA.  Offer advice and information to people addicted to, and coming off, tranquillisers. Provide reduction plans and ongoing support by appointment. Can provide literature and free leaflets. Can take calls from around the UK.

       Tel: 01273 626217. (Answerphone – Please leave your name and telephone number and they will call you back).

• Bristol and District Tranquilliser Project, 88 Henleaze Road, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4JY.

      Tel/Fax: 0117 962 2509 (Office) · 0117 962 8874 (Helpline) · Mon – Thurs 10AM – 4PM, (UK Time).

• Breakaway (Cornwall). Self help support people who want to withdraw from Benzodiazepines. Meets in Truro every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 2:00-4:00pm/6:00-8:00pm. Contact Details: Rosemary (Group Co-ordinator), 6 Walsingham Place, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2RP.

      Tel. 01872 261037.

• www.benzo.org.uk Benzodiazepine Addiction, Withdrawal and Recovery
• http://www.benzo.org.uk/support.htm   A comprehensive and international support list, including on-line resources.