120: Melissa Bond, Journalist & Author of Blood Orange Night: Overcoming Benzo Dependency: A Journey to Healing & Restful Sleep

In today's episode, we are honored to have Melissa Bond, a gifted writer and narrative journalist, joining us.  Melissa's life took a challenging turn when stressful events triggered her insomnia. Determined to find relief, she explored different natural remedies and eventually turned to prescribed medications like Ambien and high-dose Benzodiazepines. However, she found herself facing the harsh realities of drug dependency and its deleterious side effects.  Out of her courageous struggle and ultimate triumph, Melissa penned her remarkable memoir, "Blood Orange Night." Within this powerful book, she recounts her personal journey of overcoming a profound addiction to prescribed benzodiazepines.Join us as we gain invaluable insights from Melissa's experiences and delve into the complexities of drug dependency and the path to recovery.This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding the risks associated with medication use and the resilience it takes to emerge stronger on the other side.BIO:Melissa Bond is a narrative journalist, poet and matriarch to Salt Lake City’s Slam Scene. The Salt Lake Tribune and the New York Post have both done features on Bond's book Blood Orange Night, her memoir about becoming dependent upon and then withdrawing from benzodiazepines. Blood Orange Night was published by Simon & Schuster in June 2022 and was selected by the New York Times as one of the best audiobooks of 2022. Bond has been featured on PBS Story in the Public Square, Radio West, the podcasts Risk!, Endeavors, Psychology Unplugged, The New York Times Podcast, RadioWest and Mom’s Don’t Have Time to Read Books. Learn more at MelissaABond.comSHOW NOTES: 💊 Journey through adversity and sleep insomnia for Melissa Bond💊 What led Melissa Bond to her passion for writing her book, “Blood Orange Night”💊 Pros and cons of sleep medicine💊 How do high doses of prescribed benzodiazepines impact Melissa's physical and neurological well-being?💊 What did Melissa do to overcome her benzodiazepine dependence?💊 Melissa highlights the importance of recognizing the potential risks and side effects of long-term benzodiazepine use.💊 Support and information: Benzodiazepine Information Coalition is a valuable resource for help and information on benzodiazepine withdrawal.💊 What are the self-care and nutrition that support the nervous system during benzodiazepine withdrawal?💊 Guiding principles for benzodiazepine withdrawal💊 The mindset perspective of gradual healing💊What we could learn from Melissa's sleep-night habits💊 And More! SPONSOR:📈 If you want to raise your HRV AND get a free HRV consultation...​​Mode + Method - HRV+      Code: SLEEPISASKILL15🎢 If you're waking up at 3 am & suspect blood sugar...​Good Idea ​ ‍Code: SLEEP10 GUEST LINKS:Website:  www.melissaabond.comInstagram:  @melissabauthorFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MelissaABondNEWSLETTERJoin our Monday Sleep Obsessions Newsletter! (Over 4 years strong!)Start your week with the latest sleep, health, wellness findings and experiments that I'm losing my mind over!Click HERE to subscribe to our weekly newsletter DISCLAIMER:The information contained on this podcast, our website, newsletter, and the resources available for download are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, medical or health advice. The information contained on these platforms is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Next Steps To Upleveling Your Sleep - Website: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/ ‘Sleep Obsessions’ Monday Newsletter: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/newsletter8-Week Wearable Group “Optimize Your Sleep” Program: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/optimizeSleep Is A Skill Podcast: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/podcastsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollie-eastman-sleep-is-a-skill-82531825/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollie.eastmanTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepisaskill Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sleepisaskill/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SleepIsASkillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-IU372xapHLvXnZRbXU7A