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: barbara.connolly.31@gmail.com.
Resources 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 Practices
Disclaimer: 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.
