I am petitioning to ban the use of benzodiazepines because of their highly addictive nature and severe withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. All too often are patients prescribed a "benzo" without the knowledge of what such strong drugs will do to their bodies. Doctors too are in many cases unaware of what they are prescribing or how to deal with and treat someone attempting to stop the medication. We need tapering programs for those currently withdrawing, and to ban further use of these harmful drugs.
Benzodiazepines work by slowing GABA reception by neurotransmitters in the brain. They slow brain function and serve NO long term treatment benefits. After only a few weeks a patient can develop autonomic nervous system dysfunction that is only remedied by more benzodiazepine use.