Welcome to the website of Dr. Reg Peart, BSc, PhD, president of the Benzodiazepine Awareness Network, and founder and national co-ordinator of VOT (Victims of Tranquillisers) in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Peart studied at the University of Reading, where he received a BSc (Special) in Physics and a PhD in Atomic Physics. He has held various appointments in academic and industrial research establishments, including the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) Harwell, Associate Professor at the University of Illinois and Manager of the Radioisotope Laboratory at the world-renowned IBM T.J. Watson Research Center in New York.
Dr. Peart has published many papers on Atomic Physics, Metal Physics and Semiconductor Physics and is a member of the New York Academy of Science.
After suffering from vertigo, Dr. Peart was given a prescription for Valium. This triggered a horrifying journey of misprescribing, misdiagnosis and mistreatment which lasted for many years. It led to psychiatric hospitals and more than 30 sessions of ECT, many while in "cold turkey" Valium withdrawal. Dr. Peart lost his career, marriage, family, home, and suffered severe intellectual impairment. He became unemployed and unemployable, with severe cognitive impairment and other long-term damage. He was rejected and neglected by all the doctors he approached for treatment.
In spite of this, Dr. Peart resurrected his life, and used his scientific background and his personal experience with benzodiazepine dependency to make a significant contribution to those who find themselves in similar situations. Dr. Peart's experience in helping people withdraw from benzodiazepines enables him to help even those with the most difficult withdrawals.
Through his work with VOT, he helps promote awareness of side-effects, adverse reactions and dependence caused by tranquillisers and other psychoactive drugs. VOT also helps, supports and provides information for those who suffer medical and legal problems resulting from these drugs.
Dr. Peart has been active in the political arena too. He has made submissions to the U.K. Parliament on benzodiazepine dependency, including suggestions to improve the current situation and prevent such a problem in the future with other drugs. He was also responsible for leading a group of litigants from the foiled "Benzodiazepine Litigation" through to the European Court of Human Rights, where the U.K. government is being sued for denying the right to a fair trial.
Dr. Peart has produced literature searches of some of the scientific research that has been carried out on benzodiazepine dependency and withdrawal. This information is particularly useful to those experiencing benzodiazepine withdrawal, as it validates their experience.
This website documents Dr. Reg Peart's personal journey. It is both a tribute to the contribution he has made to those who make the journey off benzodiazepines and a home for the many articles he has written. It is also a testament to his remarkable courage, knowledge and generosity.
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Keywords:
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