Xanax (anxiolytic addiction and withdrawal)

Be My Friend – www.myspace.com Gwen Olsen spent fifteen years as a pharmaceutical sales rep working for such health care giants as Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Abbott Laboratories. She enjoyed a successful, fast-paced career until several conscious-altering experiences began awakening her to the dangers lurking in every American medicine cabinet. Her most poignant lessons, however, came as both victim and survivor of life-threatening adverse drug reactions. After leaving pharmaceutical sales in 2000, Gwen worked in the natural foods industry first as an Account Manager for Nature’s Way, and then as a Regional Sales Manager for Gaia Herbs. She is currently a writer, speaker, and natural health consultant. In this video Gwen discusses anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications). These medications are sometimes also called minor tranquilizers. These drugs include the benzodiazephines such as Valium, Xanax and Ativan. Buspar is also non-benzodiazephine anxiolytic. These drugs are highly addictive and people experience severe withdrawal symptoms when coming off of these drugs. Gwen specifically talks about her own Xanax addiction. She also discusses “rebound syndrome” and “discontinuation syndrome”, which are basically just withdrawal symptoms. www.gwenolsen.com www.youtube.com www.livevideo.com

25 Comments

  1. MrJazz1910 says:

    I was addicted to ativan which is similar to xanax. I followed my doctors instructions to wean off ativan and I still went through pure hell. I think it is a lie that there is any easy way to get off of it. Tapering will make it easier but everyone still goes through a lot of pain getting off these drugs no matter how slow you taper off of them.

  2. KarbineKyle says:

    I had a small problem with Xanax® (Alprazolam). I was diagnosed with MAJOR PANIC DISORDER. I know I’m going to be on the Benzodiazepines forever. My doctor knows It’s that severe. I came off it cold turkey, and it was HELL. I didn’t know or like pills. Now, I know A LOT! I was switched to another called Klonopin® (Clonazepam) and Restoril® (Temazepam), and I’ve been fine for years. I’m not needing to take more. Opiates (be careful) seem to compensate, but I can’t find ANY right now… S.O.B…

  3. KarbineKyle says:

    Also, every benzodiazepine you have mentioned, I have taken. I’ll do the brand names (I stick with the chemical/generic name, that’s just me, b/c of chemistry, science, etc.): Xanax, Librium, Tranxene, Valium, ProSom, Dalmane, Ativan, Temazepam, Halcion, and other non benzodiazepines like Miltown, Soma, Phenobarbital, etc. I’m on opioids, and those are dangerous if you let them. I’m having to taper off of FENTANYL! ~100x more potent than Morphine… I know withdrawal. A Living HELL…

  4. swatside says:

    wow, be careful out there these pills r strong ,this drug xanax causes the most problems around me out of all drugs ,compared to anything else u can think of, i think it hits everybody different

  5. wildmandazza says:

    very good and so very true !! , I have juggled Xanax for 20 years , withdrawal is like a feeling of death , My advice: xanax is a short term medication for exreame anxiety and panic attacks. I’m currently totally free from the “chains” of XANAX. EXELLENT VIDEO!

  6. xxxNOIRxxx says:

    am i the only one who doesn’t feel xanax doesn’t do a darn thing? i’ve been put on it for panic attacks, i was warned that i should have a babysitter available if i took it for an anxiety attack—NOTHING happened. i felt no different, i didn’t feel sleepy, out of it, or anything. not going to take it, it’s kind of useless.

  7. cannolipepperoni says:

    I’ve never even considered this type of occurence. Good video, made me think.

  8. cannolipepperoni says:

    I wonder if her withdrawing brain chemistry ultimately affected her child’s development?

  9. truthseekersebastian says:

    @KarbineKyle Jesus Christ can set you FREE from any kind of addiction.
    God gives people signs to repent,they flee to doctors,seek for help at other people.
    God is calling you,go to Jesus,pray with all your heart and obey.You will be set free but obey His Words do not go back to your sins.
    May Jesus bless you all with a humble heart.

  10. tracyblogger says:

    It’s amazing how she keeps saying “people should not try to take themselves off the drugs cold turkey” and “check with your doctor first.” But in many situations, the DOCTOR is the one recommending the cold turkey. Most doctors are clueless about this stuff and/or refuse to believe it exists.

  11. riorio23 says:

    I took 9 mg a day for 22 years and than quit cold turkey. sure there was side effects from with draw but no biggie. u guys are a bunch of pussies.

  12. mustangmom27 says:

    I’ve taken Xanax for 10 years, very small dose for panic attacks and sleep. I was on .5 a day for years, and it stopped working, so the doctor upped the dose to .5 twice daily. Before long, I started increasing the dose on my own, till before I knew it I was up to 2 mills a day. Then I was running out before the refill date and suffered the worst withdrawals ever. It was like a panic attack times 100. I thought I was losing my mind. It’s one drug you can never go off cold turkey, taper it off.

  13. FlyBlue777 says:

    Benzodiazepine withdrawal needs to be treated by a physician specializing in addiction: either an addiction psychiatrist or someone specializing in addiction medicine. Physicians in “alternative care” or primary care (internist or family doctors) do NOT have expertise in his area. You need to see a doctor who is certified by either the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) or the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP).

  14. streetNatalie says:

    everything good is addictive

  15. bullfrog11758 says:

    good job gwen, you are so right!

  16. DaTrillisgone says:

    Can’t wait for them to legalize weed

  17. lifepod2036 says:

    We live in a giant box that is full of too many toys (humans) and everyone is up in each others bubble inside the big bin box. That’s not natural. People are going to want to hurt each other if we dont do something for them. You might be angry at me and yes I’m into natural meds as well.. but nothing in nature calms my nerves. and nothing helps my problem with night hallucinations. i’ve tried suggested teas and vitamins and minerals and meditation. meditation works a little but I need benzos

  18. yuppystick says:

    Will you marry me Gwen Olsen?….. If I believed in marriage, I would ;)

  19. N1ck1Sk123 says:

    Do you know what is really good for Anxiety?(it works everybody!!!)this is what you do…you stick your finger in your butt hole then smell it for 10 mins you will not have to take zanies anymore …it works!!!

  20. koffinkat666 says:

    @DaTrillisgone legal were i live

  21. deemilieu says:

    xanax is considered the most addictive of benzos…fortunately all these benzos (xanax, vallium, librium, halcion, tranzene) are no longer under patent and generic, so the pharmas aren’t pushing them in marketing & ads. now, it’s the adhd drugs and atypical antipsychotics.

  22. grundik1 says:

    She must have been a very good rep.

  23. neilzep says:

    Xanax is a good drug,used to take it when i worked in the pharmacy.A pharmacist is crappy job.

  24. flybenji says:

    You look a little on the bipolar side. You got addicted because you are an addict not because of the drug. Could have been pot or beer if you did not have this drug of choice.

  25. ST3V3OHH says:

    im addicted to xanax i love it.. it made me a better person and i am now at peace with god…i spoke to god once hes pretty chill.. well like i was sayin xanax is a good product i take it often andit makes me happy… i love the world..

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