The Science of Benzodiazepine Tapering: insights from Benzo Warriors' Dr. Barbara Connolly

In this episode of The Rehab, Dr. Mark Leeds sits down with Barbara Connolly, PhD, the Senior Admin of the Benzo Warrior Community, a peer-support group of more than 5,000 members navigating benzodiazepine withdrawal and recovery.A retired political science professor turned advocate, Barbara became involved in this work after a rapid taper from 22 years of prescribed Klonopin left her with a cascade of symptoms she didn’t initially recognize as benzodiazepine injury. What we cover:• The origin and mission of the Benzo Warrior Community, founded by the late Michelle Gulovich, and why a calmer, science-based peer community matters.• How to equip your doctor with the right materials: the Ashton Manual, the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines, and the ASAM deprescribing guidelines• Why the Ashton Manual is still essential — and why the charts are only illustrative (“read the words, not the charts”)• Hyperbolic tapering explained: why linear cuts hit a wall, Dr. Mark Horowitz’s contribution, and the 5–10% rule• DIY tapering tools: jeweler’s scales, liquid tapers in water or whole milk, crossovers to diazepam, and manufacturer’s liquid Valium• When compounding pharmacies help — and when cost, insurance, and prescriber reluctance get in the way• Adjunct medications: clonidine, lucemyra, ketamine, medical cannabis, magnesium, DAO enzyme, probiotics — and why “everybody is different”• Benzo toxicity: memory loss, driving difficulties, and misdiagnosis as MS, neuropathy, or “mystery illness”• The 2020 FDA black box warning and why most prescribers still don’t know about it• The overlap between benzo tapering and opioid deprescribing• How AI tools are changing the way patients research their own care• How to access Benzo Warrior’s guides, Zoom support meetings, and speaker series on YouTube About the guest:Barbara Connolly, PhD is Senior Admin of the Benzo Warrior Community and a Benzodiazepine Action Work Group member. She brings scientific rigor and deep lived experience to benzodiazepine tapering and recovery advocacy. For coaching inquiries: [email protected] mentioned:• Benzo Warrior Community (Facebook) and YouTube speaker series• The Ashton Manual — Prof. C. Heather Ashton• Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines — Dr. Mark Horowitz• ASAM Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering (2025)• Benzodiazepine Information Coalition — benzoinfo.com• Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best PracticesDisclaimer: This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not change or stop any prescribed medication without consulting your prescribing clinician.