Life’s toughest challenges often lead to our greatest growth. In this post, I share my journey of overcoming a 20-year benzodiazepine addiction, surviving psychosis, and breaking free from agoraphobia. Along the way, I discovered powerful tools that supported my healing, including DBT emotional regulation skills, EFT tapping, and Kambo medicine.

My Story: Overcoming Benzodiazepine Addiction and Psychosis

At 16, my first panic attack shattered my sense of self, disconnecting me from the world. Over time, I realized that my suffering stemmed from a deeper disconnection from Source. Through my spiritual journey, I began piecing myself back together.

During university, anxiety and panic spiraled out of control, and I turned to benzodiazepines as a coping mechanism. What started as temporary relief quickly became dependency. By my 20s, I relied on high doses just to function, often sleeping for over 12 hours a day.

In 2015, a transformative trip to India led me to detach from my addictions, including pharmaceuticals like antidepressants, Vyvanse, marijuana, alcohol, and benzodiazepines. However, my benzodiazepine withdrawal didn’t begin until after my trip, and what followed was a period of profound psychosis. During this time, I was caught in a freeze response, paralyzed in absolute fear. My ability to do anything was incapacitated. It was as though my body and mind were locked in place, overwhelmed by terror that left me trapped in darkness and isolation.

This psychosis marked the beginning of my transformative journey, but it wasn’t without immense difficulty. I struggled to find my way until I connected with a withdrawal doctor affiliated with CAMH, who helped me through a gradual taper with compounded prescriptions. The process took 3-4 years, but it eventually allowed me to break free from the grip of addiction and psychosis.

The Power of Kambo Medicine

During this time, I turned to Kambo, a traditional Amazonian medicine derived from the secretion of the giant monkey frog. Kambo played a critical role in my detoxification and healing journey. I will share more about its impact in a future blog, but its effects were undeniable in helping me navigate this chapter of my life.

Tools That Helped Me Build Resilience

Along the way, I leaned on practical tools and techniques that helped me rebuild my life. Two that stand out are DBT emotional regulation skills and EFT tapping, which were critical during moments of extreme darkness.

DBT Emotional Regulation Skill: Opposite Action

One of the most powerful tools I used was “opposite action.” This DBT skill teaches you to act opposite to the emotion you’re feeling. For example, when fear says, “Stay inside,” opposite action says, “Step outside.”

This tool helped me break free from agoraphobia. I started with small steps such as sitting outside for a few minutes, walking to the mailbox, and over time, these actions built up and helped me regain control and confidence.

EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique)

EFT tapping became a lifeline, allowing me to release trapped emotions, calm my nervous system, and regain a sense of grounding. By tapping on specific points on my face and body while verbalizing affirmations, I found relief from anxiety and psychosis.

A simple EFT tapping script that helped me: “Even though I feel trapped and overwhelmed, I deeply and completely accept myself.”

This practice allowed me to process emotions, reduce their intensity, and move forward with greater clarity.

Lessons Learned

Through this journey, I learned valuable lessons:

• Healing is not linear. Progress comes with setbacks, but every step forward counts.
• Reconnect with Source: Strength comes from within, and spiritual reconnection empowered my healing.
• Tools are invaluable: DBT, EFT, and Kambo provided practical solutions when I felt hopeless.

Actionable Steps for Building Resilience

If you’re looking to build resilience in your own life, here are some steps to try:

1. Opposite Action: Identify one small step you can take today to act opposite to fear or despair. For example, if fear tells you to stay in bed, take a short walk outside or call a friend.
2. EFT Tapping Practice: Try the EFT tapping script I shared earlier to work through a current challenge.
3. Reflection Prompt: Journal your thoughts on this question: What is one tool or skill I can commit to trying this week to shift my emotional state?

Conclusion: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Overcoming benzodiazepine addiction, psychosis, and agoraphobia tested me in every way, but it also showed me the depths of my strength. Tools like DBT, EFT, and Kambo medicine were instrumental in my healing, allowing me to rebuild my life with resilience and purpose.

Healing is possible, even in the darkest of times.

Stay Tuned: Kambo’s Transformative Power

Curious about how Kambo played a role in my healing? Stay tuned for my next post, where I explore its profound effects. In the meantime, try the tools I have shared and let me know how they work for you!