Withdrawal from Psychiatric Drugs

Resources for Withdrawing Safely from Psychiatric Drugs

These are links to resources with recommendations about withdrawal from psychiatric drugs. You'll find information about methods the authors consider safe and natural methods for continuing, reducing, or withdrawing entirely from psychiatric drugs.

Why Psychiatric Drugs are Always Bad
From the AntiPsychiatry website by Douglas C. Smith, M.D.

Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal Guides
From the PsychRights website by Jim Gottstein, J.D.

The Road Back
A web site with recommendations about withdrawing from a number of psychiatric drugs including:
Antidepressants - Celexa, Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, Remeron, Strattera, Trazodone, Wellbutrin and Zoloft
Benzodiazepines/Sleep Meds - Ambien, Ativan, BuSpar, Klonopin, Librium, Valium and Xanax
Anti-Psychotics - Abilify, Clozaril, Geodon, Haldol, Olanzapine, Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyprexa
ADHD meds - Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin and Strattera

Withdrawing Safely from Psychiatric Drugs
Dr. Maureen B. Roberts, Director of the Schizophrenia Drug-free Crisis Centre provides her recommended "Steps to Safe Withdrawal from Toxic Psychiatric 'Medications'."

Psychiatric drug withdrawal
Safe Withdrawal from Psychiatric drugs, by Guy Holmes and Marese Hudson. Article based on a paper presented at the MIND National Conference 2002 and published in 'OpenMind' in 2003

How to Continue, Reduce, or Go Off Psychiatric Medication – Safely
The Freedom Center provides advice on psychiatric drug alternatives. They say everyone has the right to take choose the treatments that work for them. Freedom Center believes that full recovery is possible if you a) Get the facts, b) Get support, c) Create alternatives, d) Look at your situation, and e) Go slowly.

Quitting Psychiatric Drugs
Safe Harbor's article, "Basic Principles and Steps to Follow for Quitting Psychiatric Drugs," recommends finding a supportive doctor and stable living situation, organizing support from friends, family, survivor groups, and local organizations; withdrawing as gradually as possible; finding out everything possible about the withdrawal process; don't expect difference at first; realize it is a difficult experience; ensure adequate sleep; stop using any form of stimulants; eat the healthiest diet possible, etc.

Making sense of coming off psychiatric drugs
On-line booklet from Mind.org.uk, written for the many people who want to withdraw from psychiatric medication. This booklet looks at why these medicines are prescribed, the possible effects of coming off them, the best way to withdraw successfully, and how to tell the difference between withdrawal and relapse.

Peter Lehmann's Book on Quitting Psychiatric Drugs
Peter Lehmann edited a book by dozens of authors with suggestions and tips about how to quit psychiatric drugs safely based on their personal experiences. It is available from MindFreedom's Mad Market.