Graz 2013 The NADA Protocol and Withdrawal Symptomes from Benzodiazepines 15 years of Experience Lars Wiinblad Denmark

Benzodiazepines in Denmark Recommendation from the Danish National Health Board since 1995: Recommendation from the Danish National Health Board since 1995: 2-4 weeks only. 2-4 weeks only % get addicted and suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms, side effects and rebound % get addicted and suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms, side effects and rebound. Benzodiazepines are used by 8 % of the population. Benzodiazepines are used by 8 % of the population.

NADA The use of benzodiazepines could be reduced. The use of benzodiazepines could be reduced. The NADA-protocol made a difference. The NADA-protocol made a difference. The protocol reduces most of the side-effects and withdrawal-symptoms associated with Benzodiazepines. The protocol reduces most of the side-effects and withdrawal-symptoms associated with Benzodiazepines. NADA had a positive effect on sleep, anxiety, memory, aggression, restlesness, stress, depression and relapse. NADA had a positive effect on sleep, anxiety, memory, aggression, restlesness, stress, depression and relapse. The use of anti-psychotic medicine did also decrease. The use of anti-psychotic medicine did also decrease.

Major sideeffects and withdrawal symptomes from benzodiazepines 1. Anxiety 2. Sleep disorders 3. Cognitive changes 4. Addiction 5. A number of psycological and fysical problems (f. ex. aggression and depression) (f. ex. aggression and depression)

Sygeplejersken maj 1996 (28) Benzo- diazepines cause anxiety

Anxiety 80 % get anxiety as withdrawal symptoms. 80 % get anxiety as withdrawal symptoms. Anxiety might appear after only 4 weeks. Anxiety might appear after only 4 weeks. Anxiety increases during the medical treatment. Anxiety increases during the medical treatment. 50 % still suffer from anxiety after they have stopped taking the medicine (months or years). 50 % still suffer from anxiety after they have stopped taking the medicine (months or years). Coffee makes the symptoms worse for 50 % Coffee makes the symptoms worse for 50 %

Sometimes the commercials tell the truth

Benzodiazepines and Sleep pattern Decrease REM and deep sleep: Mood swings, anger, lack of concentration, pain, lact of energy etc. Tolerance after 3-10 days. The medicine do not work after 4 weeks.

Benzodiazepines have an major impact on brain functions Oxazepam 15 mg 3 times a day

Inspiration from Bokholt, Germany 3 phase long term program: 1. Get ready 2. Withdrawal symptoms 3. Stabilisation EasyModerate DifficultVery difficult 25 % The NADA-protocol makes the difference

Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines and the use of the NADA protocol Time Symptoms

1. Get ready Stabilisation for 2 weeks or more: NADA-treatments twice a week (more is ok). Sleep mix tea every day Information Networking Healthy foods Exercise Stress management Prepare the right strategy with the doctor

2. Withdrawal symptoms Acute phase: 3-5 treatments a week. Treatment according to symptoms. Sleep mix tea (5 cups or more each day). Perhaps a few body points for some patients. Information (max. 5 minutes each time). Support - Patience - Time. Do not speed up the process. Never increase the dose of medicine.

Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines and the use of the NADA protocol Time Symptoms

Acute withdrawal symptomes Axiety, panic and fobia Axiety, panic and fobia Aggression and agitation Aggression and agitation Depression Depression Sleeping disorders Sleeping disorders Memory loss Memory loss Less kognitive ability Less kognitive ability % benefits from some body points added 3 days after the medicine is reduced, but only for a few days.

GABA and Gb. 34 Gb. 34: Meeting point muscles and sinews. GABA (A): Regulate sleep, anxiety and muscles. GABA in Cerebro-spinal liquid increases significantly when needling Gb. 34. Zhao Yanling, Zhang Wei et al; Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibusion (9):

Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines and the use of the NADA protocol Time Symptoms

3. Stabilisation NADA twice a week as long as needed. Yin def. in Heart and Kidney seen in most patients. Magnetic beads can be used in between the NADA-treatments. Beware of drop out because of rebound. 50% still have withdrawal symptomes after the tablets are removed and need the NADA-protocol. Theraphy can start slowly in this phase.

Long term withdrawal symptomes SymptomDuration Anxiety and stressMonths – perhaps years. Peaks after six week. DepressionA few months. Sleep disturbandes6-12 months. Cognitive functionsMonths to a year or more. Most patients recover, but not everyone…..

Strategy is important 3 phase program: 1. Get ready 2. Withdrawal symptoms 3. Stabilisation – Start cognitive or other therapy, mindfulness etc. mindfulness etc. 25 % The NADA-protocol makes the program solid.

Alberta Schizophrenic, shelter, benzodiazepines, anxiety NADA 2-3 times a week NADA 2-3 times a week Slowly step down the dose of medicine Slowly step down the dose of medicine Meditation (easy guide) Meditation (easy guide) Started NADA training Started NADA training Treating the other clients Treating the other clients Member of the NADA steering commitee Member of the NADA steering commitee