The Benzo Devil

How I Recovered From Prescription Drugs

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Pub Date 14 Jan 2018 | Archive Date 30 Apr 2018

Description

‘...all I wanted was a good night’s sleep.’

Rob’s journey began the day he walked into a medical centre and walked out with a prescription for Ativan, one of the world’s most commonly-prescribed drugs. The highly-addictive benzodiazepine drug would change his life forever. It would lead this ‘accidental addict’ to a 13-year chemical dependency and a life eroded by its soul-sapping effects.

This real-life account details the effects the drug had on his daily life, then plunges you into the merciless abyss of detox, tapering withdrawal and borderline madness that followed when Rob finally decided to free himself from the chemical clutches of ‘the Benzo Devil’.

However, this book is definitely not a ‘misery memoir’ with only horror and no solutions.  Rob’s story and the hard-won wisdom he shares is a light for millions of others accidentally caught up in the grip of benzodiazepine drugs like Ativan, Valium, Klonopin and Xanax. The book also provides a comprehensive plan to follow during your self-detox, tapering withdrawal and the eventual freedom to live a full and happy life.

Rob sleeps well these days. His journey into hell and back eventually led to him being drug-free and a self-made millionaire — proof that a great life after addiction can be achieved if you will only take that first step.    

‘...all I wanted was a good night’s sleep.’

Rob’s journey began the day he walked into a medical centre and walked out with a prescription for Ativan, one of the world’s most commonly-prescribed...


A Note From the Publisher

Addiction to common prescription drugs is reaching epidemic proportions. It's a story that needs to be told. Millions of ordinary people, prescribed drugs such as Ativan, Valium, Klonopin and Xanax to help them sleep or deal with anxiety, are becoming "accidental addicts". The effects can be devastating and getting off these drugs can be as tough as withdrawing from the worst of illicit drugs.

In this book, the author tells how he stumbled into addiction, how it tore his life apart then, amazingly, how he turned his life around, eventually becoming a successful businessman and achieving personal freedom. The book is a deeply personal story, told with humour, honesty and pace. It offers hope, and it provides a detailed practical guide that can help those who have become addicted to kick the habit and get their lives back again.

Addiction to common prescription drugs is reaching epidemic proportions. It's a story that needs to be told. Millions of ordinary people, prescribed drugs such as Ativan, Valium, Klonopin and...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9780473402723
PRICE $4.99 (USD)

Average rating from 19 members


Featured Reviews

This is a true story of a young man who, in seeking care for his anxiety and sleeping problems, is prescribed a benzodiazepine drug called Ativan. Despite a series of side effects that accumulated over time, he kept taking them. The situation got worse and he realized that he needed to get off the drugs.
The process was horrifying, and enduring. Things seemed to get worse way before they got better. He rockets from bad situation to bad situation, taxing his relationships with friends and family. He moves back and forth between New Zealand and Australia and that health care system. He visits the characters of Narcotics Anonymous and many others along the way.
He does prevail after many ups and downs, and ends up in a good place.
The book moves quickly and the author is very articulate about this terrifying journey. He is quite heartfelt and sincere, and it is easy to understand his misery.
The book is a wonderful warning about the use and dependence on drugs that seem initially as they would be good for you.
The only issue I had was his constant reference to why he was writing this, for the benefit of his audience. I am very happy he chose to share his story, the good, bad and awful and only need to be reminded of his motivation to write a few times, not quite as constantly.
It is comforting to know that someone can tough it and and end up better off than he began.
I am very glad he wrote it and I had the opportunity to read and learn from his story.

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A great little book about the addiction of Benzos....Ativan and Valium class drugs. It was eye opening because I never knew the side affects and that a person COULD be addicted to these medications. The other shocking thing was the withdrawal from these drugs.
Plus the author goes into his own struggle, some of his addiction, and how he got off the drugs. Its a great book that needed to be published!

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With the USA opioid crisis declared a national epidemic, and the use of prescription and illicit drug use increasing each year on a global level: “The Benzo Devil” by R.W. Pharazyn arrives in a timely manner. After taking benzodiazepine medication for over a decade, Pharazyn realized the medication that was supposed to work to help him had only made his problems worse, he was addicted to his medication and was be forced to endure a painful and traumatizing withdrawal to be drug-free.

While living and working in Byron Bay, Australia, Pharazyn sought the help of a physician after his marriage ended in a painful divorce. Prescribed Ativan for his acute anxiety symptoms, he was given no information by medical professionals about the potential risk of addiction.
As a popular radio host and broadcaster, he enjoyed a large following and fan base. Unable to enjoy his success, and suffering from sleeplessness and acute anxiety-- he quit his job . This would be a reoccurring coping strategy throughout the book, yet he triumphed over his addiction. Pharazyn had a surprising breakthrough in New Zealand and became a millionaire-- when he took over a near bankrupt newspaper and turned it into a highly profitable enterprise that employed an increased number of staff.

It wasn’t Pharazyn’s style to go into much detail about the roots of his depression and anxiety or family problems. The support he found in 12 step groups was vital in his recovery. It was apparent he cared deeply for others who are struggling to be free of alcohol and/or drug addiction; and offered many suggestions from his own experience. Improved methods of treatment and current information are widely available online. The strategies he used for himself did not involve costly rehab or hospital ward treatment programs, and offered hope for those with limited or no resources. This is really an inspirational story of addiction and the journey to wellness. **With thanks and appreciation to The Acorn via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.

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