General Information
Council for Information on Tranquillisers, Antidepressants, and Painkillers
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CITAp (formerly CITA) was a charitable organisation, established in 1987 to provide support and information for individuals, families, friends and professional advisors dealing with prescribed tranquillisers, sleeping tablets, and antidepressants.
 
As drugs have evolved so have we. Originally the Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction, the charity evolved to become the Council for Information on Tranquillisers and Antidepressants, and later the Council for Information on Tranquillisers, Antidepressants, and Painkillers.
 
CITAp worked in GPs surgeries across the North West of England with a system of withdrawal clinics pioneered by the charity. The success of these clinics was such that the charity was probably responsible for more prescribed medication withdrawals than any other organisation in the UK.
 
CITAp also operated the only National Helpline – which was used by individuals and professionals alike.
 
Information on drug interactions was obtained from a number of sources including, but not limited to; manufacturer's advice, observations of numerous withdrawal clinics, and information brought together during the many years the charity carried out their work.
 
 
 
Our brains developed largely to accommodate hunter-gatherer issues. The complex traumas of modern life have resulted in numerous medical conditions. A variety of drugs have been developed to help combat these traumas. When used correctly, and in an informed way, these drugs can greatly increase the quality of life.
 
Unfortunately the speed of medical advances often means these drugs are used incorrectly; in particular duration of medication and unintended side effects caused by drug interactions with each other. In many cases they can make the situation significantly worse. In some cases new medication is introduced to reduce the side-effects of one drug with beneficial short-term result. However in the longer-term this worsens the original symptoms created by the first drug.
 
The situation is compounded by the fact that many of these drugs have withdrawal symptoms similar, or worse, than the original condition. This effectively creates an involuntary drug addiction.
 
It is strongly recommended that withdrawal from many of these drugs is supported by a qualified counsellor.
 
In many cases patients can return to a normal life once they have gradually weaned off their drugs.
 
 
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Any advice given on this site should not be substituted for the advice of a qualified medical professional who is well-informed about prescription addiction and withdrawal. The best combination is to work with both your doctor and an organisation with experience in prescription medication withdrawal.
 
All advice is followed at your own risk. You are advised never to stop taking any medication abruptly, and without the consent of a qualified medical professional.
 
Stopping mind altering medication suddenly is always the worst option.
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