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

The Benzo Free Podcast

Share this post with others: 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. Video ID: BFP087 Listen to Part II of this Conversation: https://www.benzofree.org/podcast/insights-from-ireland-conversation-with-dr-colin-bradley-part-2-bfp088/ Chapters 00:00 INTRODUCTION07:52 INTERVIEW Intro11:33 About Dr. Bradley14:10 Fulbright Scholarship16:58 Irish vs. U.S. Addiction Problems19:38 Irish Benzo Awareness / Restrictions23:08 Medication Accessibility for Tapering24:12 Litigation Effects on Prescribing28:05 Finding a Doctor31:21 The Ashton Manual33:30 U.S. Catching Up to Ireland37:36 Benzos and the Elderly39:04 Street Use in Cork40:34 Closing Guest Bio Colin Bradley is a 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. Episode Resources The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Benzo Free of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein. Conversation with Colin Bradley • Ashton, C. Heather. “Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual).” 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual.• Byrne, Katie. “The hidden epidemic: How Ireland has become addicted to benzodiazepines.” Independent.ie. February 27, 2018. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/health-features/the-hidden-epidemic-how-ireland-has-become-addicted-to-benzodiazepines-36636721.html.• Dunphy, Liz. “Benzos are ‘little ticking time bombs’ on the streets of Cork.” Irish Examiner. May 24, 2021. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlight/arid-40293176.html.• Foster, D E. “Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal.” Erie, CO: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://www.benzofree.org/book.• University College Cork. “Research Profile: Colin Bradley.” Accessed August 8, 2021. http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/2001/[e-mail]. Site Links VISIT US ONLINE— WEBSITE: https://www.easinganxiety.com— YOUTUBE (Easing Anxiety): https://www.youtube.com/easinganxiety— YOUTUBE (Benzo Free): https://www.youtube.com/benzofree— INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/easinganxiety PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK— COMMENT: On this video in YouTube— COMMENT: On the blog post on our website— FEEDBACK FORM: https://www.easinganxiety.com/feedback— EMAIL: [e-mail] SUPPORT US— Make a Donation: https://www.easinganxiety.com/donate Podcast Summary This podcast is dedicated to those who struggle with side effects, dependence, and withdrawal from benzos, a group of drugs from the benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine classes,