World Tapering Day
Mission Statement
The aim of World Tapering Day is to promote:
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Safer medical prescribing and deprescribing practices of psychotropic drugs.
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Better education about dependence and iatrogenic harm that may be caused by (withdrawing from) psychotropic drugs for medical professionals and patients.
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Informed Consent and Shared Decision-making, helping medical professionals and patients explore safe and effective short-term and long-term treatment options.
Vision Statement
The World Tapering Day Organisation is not against the use of psychotropic drugs, such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, sleeping medication, antipsychotics, antiepileptic drugs, mood stabilizers and opioids per se.
We advocate
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Short term use and individual patient-led Exit Plans PRIOR to prescribing.
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Access to safe tapering options and access to proper, well informed support during the taper.
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A shift away from medication (the biological approach) and redirection towards social/contextual interventions.
Current situation
Psychotropic drugs are generally presented as safe and effective, but studies show that approximately 50% of people trying to stop have some trouble withdrawing. Around 50% of those will have severe withdrawal symptoms and long lasting or permanent adverse effects.
We urge medical professionals to acknowledge this and seriously rethink the way psychiatric drugs need to be tapered.