MG PCP Opioid Conference - Benzodiazepine Tapering recording

The course will review the risks, benefits, and indications for tapering benzodiazepines and highlighted the new ASAM guidelines. Benzodiazepines are approved for short‑term use for conditions such as anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, insomnia, sociophobia, and seizure disorders, but many patients remain on them long-term, often inherited from previous providers without clear documentation. Dependence is expected in nearly all long‑term users, though only about 1.5% develop a true benzodiazepine use disorder, and roughly 15% misuse the medications. Older adults receive the highest number of prescriptions and face the greatest risk for adverse effects, making thoughtful tapering particularly important in that population. The discussion emphasized that fast tapers are only appropriate when there is an imminent safety risk; otherwise, gradual, individualized tapering is the standard approach. Providers were encouraged to utilize the FOCUS/Population Health team for help developing taper plans, communicating with patients, or managing complex cases. Additional FTEs have been added to ensure timely support.  The session closed by reinforcing the shared goal of providing safe, patient-centered care and minimizing harm while appropriately managing benzodiazepine therapy.

Target Audience

This course is intended for nurses, physicians and other health care professionals.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, learners should be able to:

  1. Identify the risks and benefits of benzodiazepine tapering
  2. Recognize when tapering may be clinically warranted
  3. Apply the new ASAM guidelines for benzodiazepine tapering
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ABP MOC Part 2
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the activity and individual assessment of and feedback to the learner, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.
  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
    • 1.00 ABS Self-Assessment
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 1.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 1.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 1.00 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
  • 1.00 ABIM MOC Part II
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Course opens: 
01/21/2026
Course expires: 
12/31/2028
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

Faculty
 

Diana Botarri, DO; Medical Director, Controlled Substance Monitoring Team, Midwest Region, Advocate Health Medical Director, Integrative Medicine – Midwest Region, Advocate Health Medical Director, Warm Handoff Services -Advocate Health-South PSA Integration
Ashley Kwasinski, DNP, APNP: Nurse Practitioner, Infectious Disease

 

Disclosure

The planner(s) and speaker(s) have indicated that there are no relevant financial relationships with any ineligible companies to disclose.

 

Accreditation Statement
 

In support of improving patient care, Advocate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Credit Statement(s)
 

American Medical Association (AMA) 
Advocate Health designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 
Advocate Health designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Board Recognition Statement(s)
 

American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pediatrics' (ABP)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery (ABS)​
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit. ​

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ABP MOC Part 2
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the activity and individual assessment of and feedback to the learner, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.
  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
    • 1.00 ABS Self-Assessment
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 1.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 1.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 1.00 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
  • 1.00 ABIM MOC Part II
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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