Blood Orange Night: My Journey to the Edge of Madness

“I feel like a house that has somehow remained standing in the wake of a massive fire” writes journalist and poet Bond in her memoir recounting her dependency on prescription benzodiazepines. Bond experienced chronic insomnia during her pregnancy for her second child. Under doctor’s orders, she began taking a drug in the benzodiazepine family. As her dosages continually increased, her body deteriorated with rapid weight loss, fatigue, mental fog, and lack of muscle control. She discovered that she had become physically dependent on her medication and was experiencing withdrawal tolerance. Under the guidance of an addictionologist, Bond decided to undergo the harrowing process of gradually tapering. With the support of friends and with her children as inspiration, Bond was able to taper down to a small dosage and began a new phase of her life. Bond hopes that if she “can ache with honesty, people will hear.” This is an engaging testament to the powers of self-advocacy and resilience written with lyrical clarity and heart.