The Orange Book details how clinicians should treat people with drug misuse and drug dependence problems . The Ashton Manual contains protocols for tapering safely off different benzodiazepines .
Release actively works towards a world where our drugs advocacy service becomes obsolete , and where people who use drugs are heard when they need changes to their treatment plans – not because they ’ ve brought in ‘ a national expert ’ to sit in on their medical review , but because their needs are respected .
sudden cessation in their use can lead to a recognised withdrawal state . Good assessment and care planning – and adherence to local protocols – are prerequisites for considering prescribing benzodiazepines . Prescribing benzodiazepines to drug misusers requires competencies in this form of treatment and appropriate supervision .’
As for the commissioned drug treatment provider , the same guidelines say that to ‘ prevent symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal , the clinician should continue a current prescription but the dose should be gradually reduced to zero ... The aim should normally be to prescribe a reducing regimen for a limited period of time .’
If you are reading this and could use similar support , please get in touch – there are three ways you can contact us for help and advice .
When Nick contacted us , he was already quite knowledgeable about the Orange Book and other resources such as the Ashton Manual , which contains protocols for tapering safely off different benzodiazepines . We obtained permission from Nick to contact his treatment provider and request their benzodiazepine treatment policy . They then produced a policy which allowed for prescribing , but only for a very short period of time – there was little room for flexibility in how a person can detox safely and comfortably .
Once again , the Orange Book states that : ‘ While full detoxification can proceed without difficulty within weeks or within 2-3 months for some patients , NICE expert review has noted that withdrawal may take
three months to a year or longer in some cases . An optimal speed or duration of dose reduction is not known .’
Ultimately , Nick ended up doing the taper himself with his illicit supply rather than continuing to battle his service to access care . His goal now is to share his story and influence treatment systems to better support people who use benzodiazepines . Nick worked with Release to turn his story into a case study to share with attendees of the Managing Drug And Alcohol Problems In Primary Care Conference , to promote more understanding amongst prescribers , and has given permission for its use here .
Shayla Schlossenberg is drugs service coordinator at Release
By phone – 020 7324 2989 The telephone help and advice line is open from 11am — 1pm & 2pm — 4pm Monday to Friday . A message service is available 24 hours and we will return your call within one business day .
By email – ask @ release . org . uk Emailed help and advice messages will be answered as soon as possible including weekends .
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