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Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
To describe the implementation and short-term outcomes of an outpatient benzodiazepine taper protocol to treat benzodiazepine withdrawal in a substance use disorder bridge clinic.
Findings/Key points
Managing benzodiazepine withdrawal with a 4- to 6-week intensive outpatient taper in patients with benzodiazepine and opioid use disorders is challenging. More work is needed to refine patient selection, balance safety risks with feasibility, and study long-term, patient-centered outcomes.
Design/methods
Patients were recruited who were dependent on benzodiazepines and looking to taper (54 patients, total of 60 tapers initiated). For those who initiated a taper, the researchers evaluated the proportion of patients who completed a taper, the likelihood of remaining on a taper over time, and seizure, overdose, or death within one month of taper completion or discontinuation.
