FloridaTaper is an educational resource for patients, families, and clinicians navigating benzodiazepine tapering, psychiatric medication deprescribing, withdrawal, and BIND (Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction).
The site is published by Mark Leeds, D.O., a physician who focuses on slow, individualized dose reductions informed by the Ashton Manual and the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. Dr. Leeds serves on the medical advisory board of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition and practices concierge telemedicine throughout Florida.
Why this site exists
Benzodiazepine tapering is one of the most under-taught areas of clinical medicine. Patients who are prescribed these medications long-term are rarely given full information about tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, or the slow timelines that many tapers require. When withdrawal problems do emerge, they are often misread as relapse of the original condition or as a new psychiatric illness.
FloridaTaper exists to publish careful, evidence-informed writing about what is actually happening — in plain language, without the moralizing tone common in addiction literature, and with respect for the experience of the people who live through it.
What you’ll find here
- Articles on slow, hyperbolic benzodiazepine and Z-drug tapers
- Coverage of related deprescribing topics: antidepressants, gabapentinoids, antipsychotics
- Symptom inventories and explanations grounded in current research
- Informed-consent issues in long-term prescribing
- Personal accounts from people in active taper or long recovery
About Dr. Leeds
Mark Leeds, D.O. is a physician whose practice focuses on benzodiazepine and psychiatric medication tapering. He serves on the medical advisory board of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition and offers concierge telemedicine throughout Florida. For clinical consultations or patient inquiries, visit drleeds.com.
A note on medical advice
Information published on FloridaTaper is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. Do not make changes to any prescribed medication without the supervision of a qualified physician who knows your history.