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• If you have a benzodiazepine use disorder:
» Tapering alone is not enough to treat a benzodiazepine use
disorder. Talk to your health care provider so that you receive
appropriate treatment.
• If you have been taking more benzodiazepines than prescribed
or have a benzodiazepine use disorder you may be at higher
risk for severe withdrawal.
» Your healthcare provider may recommend you receive
treatment in a hospital or residential treatment setting.
• Severe withdrawal symptoms may include seizures, suicidal
thoughts, psychosis, delirium, and more. The management of
severe withdrawal is beyond the scope of this patient guide.
If You Have Mental Health Concerns
• It is important to talk with your healthcare provider if you
have or think you may have a mental health condition, such as
depression or anxiety disorder.
• Your healthcare provider may recommend that you begin
or adjust treatment for any mental health conditions before
benzodiazepine tapering begins.
» If it is not safe for you to wait to begin tapering, your healthcare
provider may suggest you start or adjust treatment at the same
time as the taper.
• Treatments may include therapy, such as cognitive behavioral
therapy, or different medications, such as antidepressants.
• You may also find meditation, yoga, or support groups helpful
during the tapering process.
If you have an opioid use disorder:
• Your healthcare provider may recommend you taper
benzodiazepines to reduce your risk for overdose.
• If you are not currently taking medication for opioid use
disorder (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone) your
healthcare provider may recommend you start one of these
medications before beginning the benzodiazepine taper.
• Your use of benzodiazepines should not be used as a reason
to deny you access to medication for opioid use disorder.
