Conversation with Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring | Benzo Free 139

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring is a psychiatrist who has worked at the FDA, numerous pharmaceutical companies, and now operates a virtual taper clinic helping indivdiuals deal with adverse reactions to psychiatric drugs. Our conversation addresses psychiatric drug issues, benzos, antidepressants, tapering, finding hope, dietary interventions, protracted withdrawal (BIND), ASAM Guidelines, and so much more. This is one you don't want to miss!

CHAPTERS

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:53 Bio for Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring

0:02:27 A studio under construction

0:02:58 Where are you located?

0:03:54 Chatting about Dr. Ritvo

0:05:46 When did you start TaperClinic?

0:07:07 What medications did you work on?

0:08:10 What got you interested in psychiatric drug issues?

0:10:45 Insights on the FDA and Big Pharma?

0:15:58 Any interest/money in researching protracted conditions?

0:17:37 Adverse Condition Reporting in the FDA

0:18:39 Antidepressants and the PSSD petition

0:20:00 Frustration with the pace of change

0:20:56 Coming changes with politics and the FDA

0:21:25 Which drugs are you working with?

0:22:08 How do you support someone on multiple psych meds?

0:24:05 Dietary interventions / Obesity

0:25:57 Deprescribing from multiple meds

0:28:15 Deprescribing is about feeling better

0:31:49 Duration and Dosage / Doctor Warnings

0:32:08 What lead you to start TaperClinic?

0:34:20 Protracted benzo withdrawal / BIND

0:35:58 ASAM Deprescribing Guidelines

0:37:00 Prescribing awareness without deprescribing guidance

0:41:54 Eliminating the 2 week benzo detox

0:43:52 Have you seen different symptoms from different drugs?

0:45:31 Catastrophic fear state of protracted benzo w/d

0:46:53 Finding Hope / Functional Medicine

0:52:09 Is it the benzos? / Getting tested

0:53:38 Hypersensitivity in BIND

0:55:31 What services do you provide at TaperClinic?

0:57:03 YouTube Channel (@DrJosef) / Dr. Josef on X

0:58:58 Answering "Will I Heal Completely?"

1:01:38 Job opening with Dr. Josef

1:02:26 uneven.life / A place to give back

1:03:30 Wrapping things up

REFERENCES

About Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring

— https://taperclinic.com/dr-josef-witt-doerring/

American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

— https://www.asam.org/

BIND Information

— https://easinganxiety.com/BIND

FDA Boxed Warning on Benzodiazepines (2020)

— https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fda-drug-safety-podcasts/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-classhttps://www.fda.gov/drugs/fda-drug-safety-podcasts/fda-requiring-boxed-warning-updated-improve-safe-use-benzodiazepine-drug-class

TaperClinic

— https://taperclinic.com

— Step into life, step off medications

RECODING INFO

— RECORDED: Thursday, November 14, 2024

— LOCATION: Colorado

PODCAST SITELINKS

— PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com/benzofree

— EASING ANXIETY: https://www.easinganxiety.com

— YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@easinganx 

— X (TWITTER): https://twitter.com/@easinganx

PODCAST SUMMARY

This podcast is dedicated to those who struggle with side effects, dependence, and withdrawal from benzos, a group of drugs from the benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine classes, better known as anti-anxiety drugs, sleeping pills, sedatives, and minor tranquilizers. Their common brand names include Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Valium, and Xanax.

PODCAST DISCLAIMER

The Benzo Free podcast is for general information purposes only and should never be considered medical, psychological, or any other form of health advice. Health-re