ORN Webinar Fall 2021 #1 - Benzodiazepines and Opioid Maintenance Treatment: The Risks and the Benefits-Event Handout

Event Handout

Pdf Summary

This document discusses the risks and benefits of prescribing benzodiazepines to individuals in opioid maintenance treatment. It mentions that benzodiazepine prescribing varies among different regions and may reflect prescriber uncertainty. The document highlights that co-prescribing benzodiazepines with opioids for pain has increased over the years and is more common in individuals with a history of substance use disorders and higher opioid doses. It notes that benzodiazepine co-prescription may be associated with increased risk of aberrant drug behaviors, such as early refills and positive cocaine tests. The document also emphasizes the risk of overdose death associated with benzodiazepines in opioid maintenance treatment. It states that benzodiazepine use in methadone maintenance treatment is linked to an increased risk of overdose death. Additionally, the document mentions the potential benefits of benzodiazepines for treating anxiety and improving retention in opioid maintenance treatment. It discusses a qualitative study that explores the motivations for benzodiazepine use and prescribing among patients and clinicians receiving and delivering opioid maintenance treatment. The study found that patients used benzodiazepines both in safe and unsafe ways and often aspired to discontinue their use. The document provides preliminary guidelines for prescribing benzodiazepines to individuals in opioid maintenance treatment, including the importance of assessing potential benefits and risks, monitoring patients, and considering tapering the medication gradually. It concludes with information about upcoming webinars on the topic.

Keywords

benzodiazepines

opioid maintenance treatment

prescribing

risks

benefits

co-prescribing

substance use disorders

aberrant drug behaviors

overdose death

anxiety