About SafeTaper

About SafeTaper

SafeTaper provides a personalized, medically-supervised approach to help you safely taper off benzodiazepines and reclaim your life.

Dr. Nathaniel Lepp, MD MPH

Dr. Nathaniel Lepp, MD MPH

SafeTaper was built to help you taper off benzodiazepines safely.  We offer a medically-supervised withdrawal of benzodiazepines that is safe and responsive to your life. 

SafeTaper was created by Nathaniel Lepp, MD MPH.  Dr. Lepp is an expert in addiction medicine.  He completed fellowship training in addiction medicine under Dr. Anna Lembke at Stanford University. He has comprehensive training in addiction medicine and has expertise to care for clients with a variety of dependencies and substance use disorders.

Dr. Lepp is also a board-certified family physician and surgeon. He completed intensive training in full-spectrum family medicine including obstetrics, pediatrics, adult medicine, geriatric medicine, and hospice medicine.  Dr. Lepp was selected by his peers and supervisors to serve as chief resident and completed a surgical fellowship in obstetrics.

Dr. Lepp holds a bachelors in neuroscience, a masters in public health, and a doctorate in medicine.

Our Story

Our Story

Dr. Lepp's journey began in the halls of Stanford Medical Center, where his fellowship in addiction medicine under Dr. Anna Lembke revealed an overlooked healthcare crisis: clients struggling with benzodiazepine dependence who didn't fit the traditional addiction model.

During his specialized work in Stanford's dual diagnosis clinic, Dr. Lepp encountered numerous clients who were caught in a medical gray area. While they experienced significant difficulties when trying to discontinue their prescribed benzodiazepines, they didn't show the classic signs of addiction—no loss of control, compulsive use, or continued use despite consequences. Instead, these clients were experiencing what's known as chemical dependence, a physical response to long-term medication use.

This revelation highlighted what Dr. Lepp recognized as a critical gap in healthcare: clients experiencing iatrogenic harm—medical complications resulting from prescribed treatments—with nowhere to turn for specialized care.


Dr. Lepp's Approach

Dr. Lepp's Approach

Drawing from the groundbreaking work of Dr. Heather Ashton, a pioneering British psychopharmacologist, Dr. Lepp developed a comprehensive approach to helping clients safely discontinue benzodiazepine use. Over the past five years, he has successfully helped guide clients through this challenging transition, supporting them through major life events including:

  • Career transitions

  • Academic pursuits

  • Personal loss

  • Relationship changes

  • Business development

  • Housing transitions

Our Mission

Our Mission

Our Comprehensive Approach

Dr. Lepp and his practice are dedicated to serving this underrepresented clients population, offering hope and practical solutions where traditional medical approaches have fallen short. His practice combines evidence-based protocols with personalized support, ensuring each client receives the individualized care they need to reclaim their health and well-being.

By adapting and refining proven methodologies like the Ashton Manual, Dr. Lepp has created a supportive environment where clients can safely navigate the complexities of benzodiazepine dependence. His success stories span diverse circumstances and life challenges, demonstrating that with proper medical guidance and support, positive change is possible.

Dr. Lepp and his practice are dedicated to serving this underrepresented clients population, offering hope and practical solutions where traditional medical approaches have fallen short. His practice combines evidence-based protocols with personalized support, ensuring each client receives the individualized care they need to reclaim their health and well-being.

By adapting and refining proven methodologies like the Ashton Manual, Dr. Lepp has created a supportive environment where clients can safely navigate the complexities of benzodiazepine dependence. His success stories span diverse circumstances and life challenges, demonstrating that with proper medical guidance and support, positive change is possible.

Dr. Lepp and his practice are dedicated to serving this underrepresented clients population, offering hope and practical solutions where traditional medical approaches have fallen short. His practice combines evidence-based protocols with personalized support, ensuring each client receives the individualized care they need to reclaim their health and well-being.

By adapting and refining proven methodologies like the Ashton Manual, Dr. Lepp has created a supportive environment where clients can safely navigate the complexities of benzodiazepine dependence. His success stories span diverse circumstances and life challenges, demonstrating that with proper medical guidance and support, positive change is possible.

Our Patient-Centered Philosophy

At the heart of our practice lies a fundamental belief: every patient's journey is uniquely their own. Dr. Lepp and his team believe that successful treatment requires more than just medical expertise—it demands a deep understanding of each person's complete story.

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Why We Go Deeper

This depth of understanding isn't just about building rapport—it's an essential part of your treatment plan. We believe that successful tapering requires mobilizing all available resources, both internal and external.

By understanding what makes you unique—what drives you, what brings you joy, what gives you strength—we can create a more effective, personalized support system for your journey.Every detail of your life story becomes a potential resource in your recovery.

Whether it's drawing strength from family connections, finding motivation in personal interests, or building on past successes, we weave your individual experiences and strengths into a comprehensive tapering strategy designed specifically for you.

Our approach recognizes that healing is not just about medical protocols—it's about understanding and supporting the whole person.

This commitment to knowing you deeply allows us to provide care that resonates with who you are and what matters most in your life.

Our Patient-Centered Philosophy

At the heart of our practice lies a fundamental belief: every patient's journey is uniquely their own. Dr. Lepp and his team believe that successful treatment requires more than just medical expertise—it demands a deep understanding of each person's complete story.

Check Eligibility

We take the time—often hours—to truly know you as a person, not just a patient. Our comprehensive assessment explores:

  • Your personal history and background

  • Your family dynamics and upbringing

  • Your current support system

  • Your passions and interests

  • The experiences that shape your daily life

  • What motivates and inspires you

Our Client-Centered Philosophy

At the heart of our practice lies a fundamental belief: every client's journey is uniquely their own. Dr. Lepp and his team believe that successful treatment requires more than just medical expertise—it demands a deep understanding of each person's complete story.

Our Comprehensive Approach

We take the time—often hours—to truly know you as a person, not just a client. Our comprehensive assessment explores:

  • Your personal history and background

  • Your family dynamics and upbringing

  • Your current support system

  • Your passions and interests

  • The experiences that shape your daily life

  • What motivates and inspires you

Why We Go Deeper

This depth of understanding isn't just about building rapport—it's an essential part of your treatment plan. We believe that successful tapering requires mobilizing all available resources, both internal and external. By understanding what makes you unique—what drives you, what brings you joy, what gives you strength—we can create a more effective, personalized support system for your journey.

Every detail of your life story becomes a potential resource in your recovery. Whether it's drawing strength from family connections, finding motivation in personal interests, or building on past successes, we weave your individual experiences and strengths into a comprehensive tapering strategy designed specifically for you.

# Awards

Recognized Excellence

Dr. Lepp's pioneering work in benzodiazepine dependence treatment reflects his commitment to addressing critical gaps in client care.

Want to work with an expert who understands your unique journey?

Specialized Protocol Development

Specialized Protocol Development

Specialized Protocol Development

Expert Client Care

Expert Client Care

Expert Client Care

Stanford Fellowship Training

Stanford Fellowship Training

Stanford Fellowship Training

Expert medical guidance for safe benzodiazepine tapering. Our board-certified physicians are dedicated to your journey towards medication independence.

Connect with us!

Expert medical guidance for safe benzodiazepine tapering. Our board-certified physicians are dedicated to your journey towards medication independence.

Connect with us!

Expert medical guidance for safe benzodiazepine tapering. Our board-certified physicians are dedicated to your journey towards medication independence.

Connect with us!

About SafeTaper

About SafeTaper