23
Table 9. Adjunctive Psychosocial Interventions
Brief description Papers/resources
Lifestyle factors
Sleep
hygiene
Sleep hygiene refers to environment and
behaviors that are conducive to optimizing
restorative sleep. ese may include avoiding
caffeine, stimulants, alcohol near bedtime.
Along with setting up a night routine and
sleep schedule that is conducive to good sleep.
Lähteenmäki et al (2013);
Coteur et al (2023)
Exercise
and physical
activity
Gentle exercise (e.g., walking or swimming )
may be helpful. e Ashton Manual
recommends regular moderate enjoyable
exercise during a benzodiazepine taper.
Reconnexion. e
Benzodiazepine Toolkit
(2018:54)
e Ashton Manual
(2002)
Diet Staying well-hydrated, eating a well-
balanced diet, and eliminating caffeine
(including energ y drinks) and alcohol may
be helpful.
Reconnexion. e
Benzodiazepine Toolkit
(2018:53)
e Ashton Manual (2002)
Mindfulness Mindfulness is a cognitive skill, usually
developed through meditation.
Barros et al (2022)
Complementary health approaches
Acupuncture Yeung described acupuncture as the
insertion of "fine needles at special
acupoints on the body according to the
traditional Chinese meridian theory.
e inserted acupuncture needles can be
connected by an electric-stimulator to
deliver electric-stimulation and is termed as
electroacupuncture."
Electroacupuncture (Yeung
et al [2019])
Progressive
muscle
relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation involves
alternately tensing then relaxing muscles,
one by one.
Otto et al (2010)
Anxiety
management
training
(AMT)
In AMT, patients are "asked to imagine
unpleasant events which they had experience,
concentrate on early signs of distress and
counteract them with relaxation."
Elsesser et al (1996)
Peer specialist services
Peer support Individuals who typically have lived
experience in BZD tapering, mental health,
and/or substance use provide support
one-on-one or in group settings, either in-
person or virtually, to support people going
through BZD tapering.
National Institutes
for Health and Care
Excellence (2022)
Lynch et al (2022)
(cont'd)
