Dr. Mark Horowitz Interview

[[Li...]]

In this December 13 episode of Benzotired, Naftal Benisty and Emma Saunders interview Dr. Mark Horowitz, co-author of the soon-to-be-published Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs.  Mark is a trainee psychiatrist and Clinical Research Fellow at North East London NHS Trust, where he runs a psychiatric drug deprescribing clinic.  He also has lived experience with polypharmacy and psychiatric drug withdrawal. 

Time Stamps & Topics
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:01:44) Mark's inspiration for writing the book
(00:06:08) The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
(00:09:10) The Ashton Manual, tapering speeds, risk factors and sensitization
(00:20:22) Neuro imaging and dose/GABA receptor occupancy
(00:22:15) Doctor and patient education
(00:27:09) Risks versus benefits of psych meds
(00:35:50) Addiction versus physical dependence (and why it’s important to know the difference!)
(00:37:48) Holding and tolerance
(00:46:08) How Mark is currently doing & managing withdrawal effects

Episode #60: Dr. Mark Horowitz, MBBS PhD
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/benzotired/episodes/60-Dr--Mark-Horowitz--MBBS-PhD---author-of-The-Maudsley-Deprescribing-Guidelines-collab-with-Emma-S---from-Unfiltered-e2cj8kq/a-a9s3ncm

 

[[Fa...]]

Thanks for sharing and outlining time stamps and topics, @[Li...].  As a result, I decided to fast forward to the ‘holding and tolerance’ discussion.  Good conversation, and content, that lined up with my opinions/beliefs gathered through my lived experience.  

[[Br...]]

Thanks for sharing this @[Li...].  It's available on the Apple Podcasts app too.

[[Li...]]

18 hours ago, [[F...] said:

Thanks for sharing and outlining time stamps and topics, @[Li...].  As a result, I decided to fast forward to the ‘holding and tolerance’ discussion.  Good conversation, and content, that lined up with my opinions/beliefs gathered through my lived experience.  

You’re welcome, @[Fa...]. Mark’s comments about holding and tolerance rang true to me as well.  

I hope our members and guests will pay particular attention to the segment about the difference between physical dependence and addiction/substance use disorder starting at 00:35:50.  

Why?  To avoid what Mark refers to as “dysfunctional responses” by prescribers who do not understand the difference and (mis)interpret withdrawal effects as a sign of addiction/abuse/misuse (instead of a sign of physical dependence).

Mark identifies one such dysfunctional response — “If you are having withdrawal effects, you must be abusing the drug.  I don’t prescribe to people who abuse drugs.”  — others include forcing the patient into a too rapid taper, referring the patient to a detox/rehab center, or refusing to continue treating the patient at all.

 

[[An...]]

On 23/12/2023 at 19:05, [[B...] said:

Thanks for sharing this @[Li...].  It's available on the Apple Podcasts app too.

Thanks @[Br...] and @[Li...]

Here is the apple link. I will listen tonight before going to bed.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/60-dr-mark-horowitz-mbbs-phd-author-of-the/id1715667627?i=1000638428765

 

[[WU...]]

Here's a clip of him on YT, going through a tough time himself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEOc7kCLUo0

 

[[or...]]

Thank you @[WU...] I'll take a look at that, don't want Spotify and can't use other apps unless you want audio-only.

[[Ka...]]

Essential listening. There is so much in this interview with explanations & analogies. Everyone involved in prescribing should listen. The forthcoming publication Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines will be invaluable. 

[[Li...]]

 

I agree that Mark and David’s new book will be very helpful to both prescribers and patients, @[Ka...]!  The Kindle edition of the book is now available in the US via Amazon (see below). The print version is scheduled for US release in the March/April timeframe.

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs, Kindle Edition
by Mark Horowitz (Author), David M. Taylor (Author) 
https://a.co/d/4laVDhd

 

[[Ka...]]

Thank you. I’m over in the UK - it’s not available at the moment for pre-order on Amazon (don’t have kindle as prefer real books). 
The BBC panorama programme here last year had a big impact. The book is going to be a global game changer! 
 

[[Li...]]

Per the publisher’s website, the print version is scheduled for UK release in February 2024.

Addendum …

Here’s the link to the publisher’s website:

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs | Wiley

https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/The+Maudsley+Deprescribing+Guidelines%3A+Antidepressants%2C+Benzodiazepines%2C+Gabapentinoids+and+Z+drugs-p-9781119822981