Xanax Dependence - Jordan Peterson Interview

**Links Below Description**

After months of silence, Dr. Jordan Peterson, the wildly popular Canadian psychologist, author, and political figure, joined his daughter on The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast to discuss his struggles with chemical dependence. In early February, Mikhaila posted a video explaining that her father had traveled to Russia in early January to undergo a sedated rapid detox for benzodiazepines. In that preliminary update, she lamented that Dr. Peterson had nearly died and had been in intensive care for weeks. On June 30th, having recovered enough to make a public appearance he recorded a moving interview during which he shares his personal experience with benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal. He also comments on the “epidemic” of the over-prescribing of this highly addictive drug. He notes that while users who do not abuse the medication may not experience psychological dependence, physical dependence is inevitable and serious withdrawal symptoms can set in after ceasing even relatively low-level prescriptions. He also describes a condition called akathisia, which can be a symptom of withdrawal, and includes irritability, fidgeting, restlessness, and extreme discomfort. The interview concludes with an emotional but understated “Thanks for your help” from Jordan to his daughter. She responds, “Well, I wasn’t going to give up.”

It would be easy to comment on this story about the dangers of medically risky treatments like rapid detox, or to blame the medical community for over-prescribing, or even to deride Jordan Peterson as a hypocrite whose advice loses credibility. But as Dr. Peterson points out, if one waits for a perfect person to learn from, they will spend their whole life waiting to learn. The truth is that dependence and even addiction can happen to even the most capable, intelligent, morally upstanding people. And while recovery is not always easy, it is possible and it is worth it. And like Mikhalia, Dignity Healing isn’t going to give up!

[Emma]

I was on benzos for 17 years. Spent last summer tapering. I successfully got off them and feel so much better. Not easy. One of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

[cosmicmauve]

I remember watching this at the time thinking: he's back but he's still fragile. Now, 2 years later what a difference. Thank God he's in good form now.

[Rollwithit]

I'm 42 months out from cold turkey benzo withdrawal (6 years xanax, then klonopin 1-2 mg, always as directed, for a total of almost 29 years). I nearly died.
Am still left with akathesia, anhedonia, severe anxiety, migraines, electrical zaps/burning, trembling, inability to be social since people makes me very anxious and anxiety makes me deeply hurt, extreme hypersensitivities to smells, sounds, light, clothing textures, temperature regulation, inability to focus and retain information.
I am 70 and live alone. This was/is hell.
I live with the hope of healing more, as i am improved from first 6 months to year. 🙏

[jojojeep]

Look, how choked up my man got at the very end of this video, I dig it man I know what he’s talking about. If you haven’t suffered from this or if you haven’t gone through it you’ll never know it’s like dying and going to hell but you’re still on earth as an exhibit for the rest to look at

[JohnAdams-rmzm]

My Sister died from seizures stopping Xanax, I’m 12.5 years free from Xanax ✊After of 10 years daily 2mg Xanax prescribed for sleep. It was very tough but well worth the discomfort that Xanax detox entails. Remember the monkey is off your back, but the circus is always in town. ✊Keep on keeping on 😇

[danielfardella]

I've been a clinician and CEO within the medical field for a very long time (50 yrs). Having been drafted during Vietnam war while in pre-med I became a medic in the USAF. Upon discharge I experienced panic attacks 'out of nowhere'. They called this an 'anxiety reaction' or AR at the time. I thought it may have been flashbacks, or perhaps I was losing my mind, hence "panic" attack. This lasted about 15 years, and during this time I feared taking anything for it, so the script for Valium sat unopened for years. Then in 1980 we had a son who was later to be diagnosed as autistic, another anxiety component perhaps? Nevertheless, I did my job, finished my education and got on with life through many hills and valleys. I was clinically depressed (dysthymia) but functional. Then in 1993 I was in a high speed car accident resulting in many serious injuries and chronic pain which I've had from age 39 until now - 30 years. During this 30 years I had been given opioids for pain combined with Valium for muscle relaxation and anxiety, which worked wonders for about 2 years until we began climbing into serious dependence at higher and higher dosing by an MD who I once heard say to his receptionist as he wrote my script "you see this - this is my bread and butter". But by that time I knew it was his easy-money, and I had no problem with it, it was " the 5th vital sign" by then wasn't it ...I would have taken anything to continue functioning better than normal. But then, the opioid crisis was just around the corner. In a couple years I'd be on too much and began a very rough taper - the more difficult part was the Benzo, but I expected this from researching and writing a MSS entitled "PILLSTORM" about my journey and the (then new) opioid epidemic. I tapered 150mg oxy to 40mg within a year. AND, I went from 30 mg a day of Valium to 5mg a day, then nothing, in about 4 years. I am still recovering from the Benzo taper now, sleepless, and thank God the VA showed mercy and allowed me a small dosing of pain medicine in a body that has been mangled and painful for a long time. I went from 200 lbs (6') to about 168 lbs.... no appetite at all. I survive on one meal and nutrition drinks every day.

[followyoursoul]

I am in this boat. It's terrifying. I also went through a divorce, job loss and an unvalidated injury from work. I haven't made money in 3 years..I am blessed to have a mom that supports me. I am 40

[mattd]

"worse than death" - so true. benzo withdrawal is something you cannot stand for a moment.

[michelej]

I am now 2 months sober from alcohol and have just started weaning off of benzodiazepines. It is certainly a rough ride. Sometimes it takes everything to get through just the next minute. Thank you for being so courageous to share. God bless you

[lauriesyme]

I’ve been tapering of of Xanax for several years. Made the mistake of going cold turkey, ended up in the emergency room. Scared me into this journey I’ve been on. With the world is exploding in crazy, no family. It’s been very difficult. Thank you for this podcast.

[justjulie]

In my family, Xanax is so common that I literally thought it was like Tylenol. So at 25, when my dr insisted I try it to stabilize my anxiety, I didn’t worry at all. I was on a low dose for over 20 years. My dr recently took me off of them. Understand, I didn’t even know I was addicted. It has been almost 2 weeks of pure hell and I don’t wish it on anyone. I can’t even think clear. I’ve come to far to turn back now, but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Thanks for sharing your struggle JP.

[DebraCrystal]

I overdosed 3 times with benzos ... 6 years sober in March 2022 by the grace of God!

[brianjansen]

All you can do is tell people how bad it is, but unless you've been through it you really can't understand

[amandabiesinger]

I feel this so hard! Benzodiazepine withdrawal was the absolute worst thing I had been through. I would prefer child birth vs benzo withdrawal anyday! And the sad thing is I felt very alone through it! Yes, I did have support but I felt so alone that no one understood the agony it put me through! There were absolute times I would wish death! I’m blessed to say I have been able to get past that chapter in my life, I do feel so much better! I don’t wish it on anyone!

[amydavidson]

I so feel his emotions at the end. For me and everyone withdrawing from benzos, we hear you & feel for you & hope more people have loved ones who are backing & supporting them through this very hard experience that most people are just beginning to understand. Let’s all be there for each other! We need love, understanding, and calm to get through it until our brain starts producing GABA receptors. Thank you!

[davidspencer]

God what he says explains it so well, the anxiety and depression when coming off this shit is crushing. It's more than crushing. There's no words to describe the depression and anxiety but he came closest

[bjdis]

So true. When you are in emotional pain and experiencing anxiety, time is so slow that you would rather die than be alive.
Thank you for sharing. I feel you.

[johnlee]

Jordan I want to thank you you have changed my life I am a 51 year old man and I had been on the verge of ending my life but I discovered your lectures and I have downloaded your book 12 rules for life. And it was like wake up call you have. changed my life. I now know it's normal to feel not normal. I was working from home for 5 years and I was so depressed and suffering from Anxiety my family were saying I over reacted like a DIVA. Now I know. Thank You Jordan I feel like you are a friend.

[kencabeen]

A horror that no one who has not been through it can even begin to understand. I know I’m one of the very lucky ones because I wanted to die for only fours months after cold turkey from 1 mg Klonopin per day. My heart and prayers go out to all who are dealing with the living hell of benzo withdrawal.

[bxwffpo]

I am Korean.
I took benzo for about 12 years.
I ate it because of fibromyalgia
My back and back hurt so much.
But after eating, I started not to feel sick, but for no reason, I was always sick, weak, always sick, and suffered from a small illness.
After taking it, my memory was very poor in my 7-8th year.
The hospital judged mild cognitive impairment.
Since then, I've been tapering slowly, and it's hell out of hell.
My memory has gotten a lot worse, and my head always hurts. I'm dazed.
And it's so hard because I have muscle pain again.
However, due to memory problems, it must be shortened.
Benzo is being misused too much in the United States and Korea.
If you go to the hospital and talk about side effects, you never listen.
Unconditionally, if you only talk about strengths and side effects, your body is always like that.
My child is 3 years old and I can't remember how he started to walk.
It's so sad.