About this episode
Ryan Hebert shares her journey of recovery from benzodiazepine dependence and the challenges faced during her tapering process.
May 30th, 2025 In this episode: I speak with Ryan Hebert from California, U.S.A. Ryan is two years psych med free after being misprescribed benzodiazepines for 12 years, spanning most of her adult working life. She was on Ativan (generic: Lorazepam), before being switched to Klonopin (generic: Clonazepam). It took Ryan three attempts and three years to fully taper, much of it during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, she became extremely ill and was diagnosed with a mitochondrial metabolic disorder, linked to the combined stress of withdrawal and multiple COVID infections. Ryan speaks about a farm-based recovery program post-benzodiazepine in North Carolina, evacuating due to hurricane Helena to Santa Barbara to be closer to family and friends. Today Ryan is focussing on rebuilding her life and raising awareness about the harm of benzodiazepines. Ryan starts off with words of gratitute for her family and ends with a short self-produced song. She also wanted to share this quote: "You don't get to check out of the human experience for over a decade without severe consequences -- emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. Coming back online after that long is not just a…
People in this episode
Host: Naftal Benisty
Guest: Ryan Hebert
Topics covered
- benzodiazepine withdrawal
- mental health recovery
- personal journey
- COVID-19 impact
- farm-based recovery
- awareness raising
Keywords
- benzodiazepines
- mental health
- withdrawal
- recovery
- COVID-19
- Camino de Santiago
- personal story
- health awareness
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Ativan, Klonopin
Books & works: Camino de Santiago
Places: California, North Carolina, Santa Barbara
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