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Coming off psychiatric medication

Explains why you might decide to come off psychiatric medication, how to do this safely and where you can go for support. Also includes tips for friends and family wanting to support someone who is coming off medication.

Useful contacts

Mind's services

  • Mind's helplines provide information and support by phone and email.
  • Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
  • Side by Side is our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

benzo.org.uk

benzo.org.uk
Information on benzodiazepines and Z drug sleeping pills, including addiction, withdrawal and detailed dosing schedules.

BenzoBuddies

benzobuddies.org
Support community for people wanting to withdraw from benzodiazepines.

Bipolar UK

bipolaruk.org
Information and support for people affected by bipolar disorder, hypomania and mania. Offers a telephone peer support line, and an online peer support community.

electronic medicines compendium (emc)

medicines.org.uk/emc
Library of information about medications, including Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) available to download.

Hearing Voices Network

hearing-voices.org
Information and support for people who hear voices or have other unshared perceptions, including local support groups.

Mad in America

madinamerica.com
Publishes articles about different aspects of psychiatric medication.

Mind Recovery Net

mindrecoverynet.org.uk
Publishes information on recovery colleges, including a searchable list of providers.

NHS 111 (England)

111
111.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people in England.

NHS 111 (Wales)

111 (Hywel Dda, Powys, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay (including Brigend) Health Boards)
0845 46 47 (all other areas of Wales)
111.wales.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people living in Wales. The contact number for this service differs depending on which area of Wales you are in.

NHS Apps Library

nhs.uk/apps-library
A directory of apps that can help you manage and support your physical and mental health.

PostScript 360

0117 966 3629
postscript360.org.uk
Information and support for those coming off tranquillisers and sleeping pills. Formerly known as Battle Against Tranquillisers (BAT).

Recovery Road

recovery-road.org
Information about withdrawing from antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Samaritans

116 123 (freephone)
[email protected]
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
samaritans.org

Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

Seroxat & SSRI User Group

seroxatusergroup.org.uk
For people who are taking or withdrawing from paroxetine (Seroxat).

Surviving Antidepressants

survivingantidepressants.org
Online peer support for people withdrawing from antidepressants.

The Withdrawal Project

withdrawal.theinnercompass.org
Information and support for people wanting to withdraw from medication.

This information was published in April 2021. We will revise it in 2024.

References and bibliography available on request.

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