Years after, I found out, when taken for years, they do permanent damage to the brain's ability to form long-term memories. Among other things.

Fortunately, I didn't take them that long. But I had many friends in the same situation, taking benzos because their psychiatrist gave them to them just like that, without offering alternatives.

To properly reword my advice: be careful with psychologists and psychiatrists. Not all of them are good, and not all of them have your best interest in mind.