We offer a list of medical professional who may prescribe while patients attempt a slow taper.

This does not mean they are experts in benzodiazepine withdrawal, or that they can assist with post cessation issues

. Some on our list are skilled in cessation methods and some are willing to prescribe while you reduce following a patient’s own taper plan. To obtain a free taper plan consider joining BenzoBuddies.org

The professionals listed either joined our list on their own, or were recommended by another tapering patient. Some of the listed providers are not prescribers, but mental health specialists offering emotional support. These are noted with an asterisk.

Seeing a provider on this list does not mean you will not experience withdrawal symptoms. It means you may be able to taper at your own pace. Some things to keep in mind:

(1) Add-on medications such as gabapentin, lyrica, clonidine, buspar and antidepressants may be suggested but are not required to taper. There is little to no evidence base for their effectiveness as withdrawal aids and some may also require their own taper. The British National Formulary benzodiazepine guidance states, “The addition of beta-blockers, antidepressants and antipsychotics should be avoided where possible.” Still, some patients and prescribers do report short-term, judicious use of certain adjunctive medications in severe cases.

(2) A safe taper rate is a reduction of 5-10% or less from current dose every 2-4 weeks. Safe tapers can persist many months & often years.Tapering rates should be adjusted in conjunction with patient feedback and symptom severity. A good motto for all is “start low, go slow” as, once withdrawal effects emerge after a too-large reduction, they cannot always be controlled, even with dose-correction or updose.

(3) Read Benzodiazepine Tapering Strategies and Solutions to understand what a safe taper entails.