WHO IS DR. HEATHER ASHTON?
Dr. C. Heather Ashton D.M. is a British psycho-pharmacologist (an expert on psychiatric drugs) who ran a benzodiazepine withdrawal clinic in Newcastle, England between 1982 and 1994. During that time, she withdrew over 300 patients, with a high rate of success. Her DM degree is a Doctorate in Medicine. One of her papers is an observation of the outcome of her first 50 cases. In that study, only three patients relapsed, and the others made it through with varying long-term outcomes – mostly positive. Dr. Ashton is undoubtedly one of the world’s foremost authorities on benzodiazepine addiction and recovery. Dr. Ashton always switches her patients to Valium (see Ashton Manual) unless, of course, Valium is their drug of dependency. She also recommends a very slow taper. She has written a manual for consumption by the general public. It is available for at http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm. This manual is an excellent resource for anyone beginning the process of withdrawal. Dr. Ashto
