Benzodiazepines

Duration: 1 day

Who is the course for: Workers with previous drugs training or experience, who need to develop more detailed awareness of benzodiazepines

About the course: The use of benzodiazepines, especially the non-prescribed use of diazepam, is a growing concern. Users - from a wide range of backgrounds - are presenting to drugs services with substantial benzo habits, and workers have felt ill-equipped to respond. This course presents factual information about benzodiazepines, and explores strategies to educate and prevent harm.

Objectives:
By the end of the course workers will be able to:

• list key benzodiazepines used in the uk
• summarise key effects of benzodiazepines
• explain key reasons for benzo use in different populations
• list key risks of benzodiazepine use
• describe harm reduction interventions applicable to benzo use
• explain how tolerance and dependency on benzos develops
• describe interventions to assist benzo-dependent clients through withdrawal

• A short history of benzos
• The Benzo family
• Pharmacology of benzos
• Current UK prescribing and trends
• Reasons for use and risks
• Harm reduction interventions
• Benzo dependency and withdrawal
• Where to get help

Format: Taught sections, small group work, work in pairs, whole group discussion.

Handouts: Full handouts will be provided, and sources of further information

DANOS Modules: AA1, AB1, AB2, AC1, AD1, AF1, AG1, AG2, AG3, AH3, AH4, AH7, AL1, AL2