Jordan Peterson has been forced to pursue “emergency” drug detox treatment in Russia after getting hooked on highly addictive psychoactive anti-anxiety drugs, his daughter has said.

The Canadian psychologist, who has attracted a substantial following, has withdrawn from the public eye due to his spiraling addiction to benzodiazepines.

Withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepines, which include Valium, Xanex and others, include acute anxiety, panic attacks, vomiting, insomnia, muscle twitches, headaches, paranoia, memory loss and in the most extreme instances seizures which can cause death.

Peterson’s daughter, Mikhaila Peterson, said his physical dependence on benzodiazepine tranquillizers first became clear to his family last April when his wife of 30 years, Tammy, was diagnosed with terminal cancer.