SAFETY NOTICEDo not abruptly stop a benzodiazepine after regular use. Withdrawal can be medically serious.Urgent warning signs ↘
BHBenzoHelpINDEPENDENT PUBLIC-INTEREST EDUCATION

BENZODIAZEPINE SAFETY + CONTINUITY OF CARE

Stopping medication shouldn’t mean stopping care.

Clear information for patients, families, and healthcare professionals navigating physical dependence, withdrawal risk, and individualized discontinuation.

Choose your starting pointOpen the resource library
GUIDANCE REFERENCEDFDAASAM 2025NICEPHYSICAL DEPENDENCE ≠ ADDICTION

01 / START HERE

Find the page written for you.

A

I take a benzodiazepine

Understand the safety principles and prepare for a better clinical conversation.

Patient guide →B

I’m helping someone

Respond supportively, recognize urgent warning signs, and help with practical needs.

Family + caregiver guide →C

I’m a healthcare professional

Open current guidance, implementation principles, and communication tools.

Clinical desk →

02 / GET THE LANGUAGE RIGHT

Dependence and addiction are not interchangeable.

Physical dependence is a physiological adaptation that can occur during prescribed use. It is not, by itself, proof of addiction or a substance use disorder.

DEPENDENCE
The body adapts during regular use. Withdrawal may occur after reduction or cessation.
WITHDRAWAL
A range of symptoms that can follow a change in exposure. Some can be medically serious.
CARE
Individualized planning, monitoring, follow-up, and continued treatment for the original condition.

03 / TAKE TO AN APPOINTMENT

Prepare, find information, and feel supported.

Build an appointment summary, explore selected sources, and find practical support. No medication changes are generated.

01Interactive appointment plannerWrite notes · print · save as PDFPRINT ↗02Medication + symptom journalObservations · function · contextPRINT ↗03Questions for my prescriberShared decisions · safety planningPRINT ↗

URGENT / KNOW THE SIGNS

Seizures. Severe confusion. Hallucinations. Loss of consciousness. Trouble breathing. Thoughts of suicide or harming someone.

These require immediate evaluation.

United States: call 911 for a medical emergency. Call or text 988 for suicide or crisis support.

Outside the U.S., use your local emergency number.

04 / READ THE SOURCE

Primary guidance, not internet folklore.

FDA / UNITED STATESBoxed warning and benzodiazepine safety communicationOPEN ↗ASAM / 2025Joint Clinical Practice Guideline and patient resourcesOPEN ↗NICE / UNITED KINGDOMSafe prescribing and withdrawal-management recommendationsOPEN ↗

YOUR NEXT STEP

Useful help, without an account.

Prepare for an appointment

Your questions and concerns, in one printable place.

Find trustworthy information

Search selected sources by topic and audience.

Navigate care

Plan calls, records, costs and follow-up.

Everyday support

Practical encouragement for the day you are in.

THE CHANGE WE’RE WORKING TOWARD

Every patient prescribed a benzodiazepine for ongoing use should receive clear information about physical dependence, withdrawal risk, potentially dangerous interactions, and individualized discontinuation planning.

Read the action agenda →