The Benzo Free Podcast

The Benzo Free Podcast


Insights from Ireland: Conversation with Dr. Colin Bradley (Part I)

August 18, 2021

Dr. Colin Bradley is a physician, professor, and a 2017 Fulbright Scholar. He has studied the opioid and benzodiazepine crises in both the U.S. and Ireland; and was appointed as an advisor to the Irish government on benzodiazepines.

In Part I of our conversation, we compare the benzo situation in Ireland and the U.S., explore the effects of limitations and litigation on prescribing, investigate street use in urban populations, and share our concern for prescribed use among the elderly among other topics. There’s a lot here. I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/insights-from-ireland-conversation-with-dr-colin-bradley-part-1-bfp087

Video ID: BFP087


Chapters


00:00 INTRODUCTION

07:52 INTERVIEW Intro

11:33 About Dr. Bradley

14:10 Fulbright Scholarship

16:58 Irish vs. U.S. Addiction Problems

19:38 Irish Benzo Awareness / Restrictions

23:08 Medication Accessibility for Tapering

24:12 Litigation Effects on Prescribing

28:05 Finding a Doctor

31:21 The Ashton Manual

33:30 U.S. Catching Up to Ireland

37:36 Benzos and the Elderly

39:04 Street Use in Cork

40:34 Closing

 

Resources

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MAILBAG

 

Guest Bio


Colin Bradley is professor of general practice at University College Cork in Southern Ireland and leads the Department of General Practice in the UCC School of Medicine. He was also fortunate to be awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2017, which enabled him to travel to the US to study the opioid crisis. Around 2000, Colin was appointed to a group set up to advise the Irish government on benzodiazepines. This group published a report on benzodiazepine prescribing at that time and made a number of recommendations on how prescribing of these medicines could be improved and made safer. He is now working with a group of academics and people who have experienced issues with benzodiazepine use, and withdrawal to co-design some strategies to help better manage benzodiazepine related issues in primary care.

 

The Podcast


The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata).


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