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Beating Benzos: Getting Started Guide
This guide is created to provide new members with the key information needed to begin participating in the community.
Index:
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Introducing Yourself to the Community
As a new member, you are welcome to post in nearly all areas of the community. However, if you are looking for advice or guidance related to benzodiazepine use or withdrawal, you may want to begin by introducing yourself in one of these two key forums:
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Benzodiazepine Use, Withdrawal & Recovery
This forum is designed for general questions and discussions about benzodiazepines, withdrawal experiences, and recovery support.
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Planning Your Benzodiazepine Taper
For advice on creating, tracking, and adjusting your tapering schedule for benzodiazepines or Z-drugs, this forum will be most helpful.
If your concern involves managing withdrawal symptoms, medication dosing issues, or drug interactions, use the first forum mentioned. You can either join an ongoing discussion or start a new topic specific to your needs.
If you’re focusing on tapering, it’s recommended to create a single thread in the Taper forum to track and seek advice on your progress.
Additional forums that might be beneficial for newcomers include:
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Sleep Disorders, Depression, and Anxiety
- Support Center (For technical issues or private queries directed at the team (non-support related).
When asking for support, it’s helpful to include detailed information such as:
- The benzodiazepine(s) or Z-drug(s) you are using.
- Current dosage and how long you have been taking them.
- Any recent changes in your medication routine.
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Any other medications you are currently taking that may be relevant.
This information helps the community provide better, more personalized advice.
Since many members are also in withdrawal or recovery, try to present the necessary details in a concise manner. Using bullet points, lists, or short paragraphs can make it easier for others to respond to your request for support.
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Writing and Editing Your Posts
You can participate in most forums by either starting a new topic or joining an existing discussion. To begin, use the 'Start New Topic' button at the top of the forum you wish to engage with. If you'd rather respond to an ongoing conversation, click the 'Reply to This Topic' button within the thread.
The text editor provides tools for formatting your message. Simply highlight the portion of text you'd like to format and select the desired style option. Once you're satisfied with your post, click 'Submit Reply' at the bottom-right corner to publish it.
If you need to revise your post after submission, follow these steps:
- Locate the 'more' button (...) at the top-right of your post.
- Select 'Edit,' make the necessary changes, and then click 'Update Post.'
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Including Your Benzodiazepine History in Your Profile
The most crucial section to fill out in your profile is your 'History.' This should include a concise record of your current and past use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, along with the dosages, approximate timeframes, and any other relevant medications. Organizing this information into bullet points or a list can make it easier for others to understand and offer feedback. Keeping your history clear and succinct will ensure that other members can provide you with accurate and helpful support.
Profile => 'Edit Profile' => Detail your 'History' => click 'Save' (bottom-right)
While completing your 'History' section, you will come across an additional text editor labeled 'About Me.' This space allows you to share more about yourself, such as your interests, personal philosophy, or any other information you'd like fellow members to know. However, we strongly advise against sharing personal identifiers for privacy and security reasons.
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Connecting with Your Peers for Support
At Beating Benzos, there are multiple ways to find support, connect with others, and receive assistance.
- Forums
- Personal Messaging (PMs)
- Groups
- Chat Room
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Support Center (for purely technical matters)
Forums: We’ve provided a comprehensive overview of how to seek support in our forums. However, for further details on the specific guidelines and rules regarding acceptable behavior and content, it is important to review our community guidelines to ensure a clear understanding of what is permitted and what is not.
Main menu => About => Guidelines
Personal Messaging: We do not permit discussions regarding tapering or withdrawal support via private messaging. This is to ensure your safety, as advice given in private cannot be cross-verified or corrected by the broader community, which could lead to misinformation or harm. For more detailed information, please refer to:
Rules & Policy Guidelines (forum) => Guidelines for Use of Direct Messaging System
Groups: These group areas function independently while adhering to the overall community rules. However, certain groups may have specific guidelines or additional requirements, which will be shared with you upon joining, if applicable.
Main menu => Browse => Groups
Chat Room: The chat room is intended for casual conversations and light discussions. Please avoid using it for in-depth conversations regarding tapering schedules or withdrawal assistance. For those kinds of support and guidance, it's best to post in the appropriate forum to ensure your questions are addressed properly.
Support Center: If you have technical concerns or private matters you'd rather not discuss publicly, you can reach out to the team directly through private messaging. Please note that this space is specifically for technical support and is not intended for withdrawal or taper guidance. Additionally, if you're seeking a quicker resolution, you may post your technical questions in the Technical Support forum, where other community members may assist with faster responses.
Home page => Community Updates (category) =>