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Benzodiazepine Information Coalition
  • About BenzodiazepinesExpand
    • Benzo BasicsExpand
      • Ashton Manual
      • A Brief History Of Benzodiazepines
      • Class Actions, Lawsuits and Reporting Harm 
      • FDA 2020 Benzodiazepine Boxed Warning
      • Medications and Supplements of Concern
      • Sleeping Pills: What You Need to Know
      • Xanax Study Outcomes
    • PrescribingExpand
      • Addiction vs Physical Dependence
      • Genetic Testing
      • Informed Consent
      • Low Dose Benzodiazepines
      • Mechanism of Action
      • Prescribing Statistics
      • Steps to Reduce Benzodiazepine Overprescribing
      • Therapeutic Actions
    • Prescribing RisksExpand
      • Akathisia
      • Fluoroquinolones
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Interdose Withdrawal
      • Paradoxical Reactions
      • Physical Dependence
      • Risks of Remaining on Benzodiazepines
      • Red Flags
      • Short-Term Risks
      • Side Effects
      • Suicide
      • Tolerance
    • DeprescribingExpand
      • Ashton Manual
      • Detox, Cold Turkey, Abrupt Cessation
      • Dosages Prevent Safe Withdrawal
      • Estimates of Withdrawal
      • The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
      • How To Find Tapering Help
      • Phenobarbital
      • Tapering Strategies and Solutions
    • Desprescribing RisksExpand
      • Akathisia
      • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS)
      • Forced Switching or Stopping
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Kindling
      • Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome (PWS)
      • Suicide
      • Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms
    • Special PopulationsExpand
      • Benzodiazepines and PTSD
      • Celebrities
      • Benzodiazepines and COVID-19
      • Older Adults
      • Women
      • Incarcerated Population
      • Substance Use Disorders
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Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

Steps to Reduce Benzodiazepine Overprescribing

New Patients (patients not yet prescribed)

  • Require informed consent to every patient of the risks and dangers of benzodiazepine/Z-drug use past the recommended 2-4 weeks.
  • Adhere to the existing guidelines: short-term prescriptions (2-4 weeks only) in minimal dosage
  • Learn existing non-drug treatments for anxiety and insomnia 
  • Educate doctors, other prescribers, and healthcare workers about the potential dangers of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs

 Long-Term Patients (already physically dependent)

  • Educate the medical community about slow, safer tapering protocols, where the patient (not the prescriber) is in control of the rate/speed, to discontinue the drugs (if the patient desires). Always inform the patient of risks of remaining physically dependent on a benzodiazepine and the risks of cessation.
  • Funding for benzodiazepine-harm research, patient support groups and dedicated withdrawal clinics.

General Measures

  • FDA box or other heightened warnings on the drugs themselves or within the drug literature/patient handout that accompanies the drug prescription. (FDA Announced in September, 2020)
  • Research into the long-term effects of benzodiazepines.
  • Greater transparency about the results of drug company sponsored trials.
  • Continued and persistent pressure (through activism, awareness, lobbying, grassroots efforts) on government health authorities and the public.
  • In some cases, filing a complaint about negligent medical providers to the State Medical Board (or other prescriber regulatory agencies, depending on location) may be in order, as may the pursuit of litigation and exposing any settlements publicly. This includes cases where inappropriate or abrupt withdrawal has resulted in a severe withdrawal syndrome. Avoiding formal complaints and litigation can be a significant motivator for providers to get quickly educated.

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Benzodiazepine Information Coalition is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

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© 2025 Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

Scroll to top
  • About Benzodiazepines
    • Benzo Basics
      • Ashton Manual
      • A Brief History Of Benzodiazepines
      • Class Actions, Lawsuits and Reporting Harm 
      • FDA 2020 Benzodiazepine Boxed Warning
      • Medications and Supplements of Concern
      • Sleeping Pills: What You Need to Know
      • Xanax Study Outcomes
    • Prescribing
      • Addiction vs Physical Dependence
      • Genetic Testing
      • Informed Consent
      • Low Dose Benzodiazepines
      • Mechanism of Action
      • Prescribing Statistics
      • Steps to Reduce Benzodiazepine Overprescribing
      • Therapeutic Actions
    • Prescribing Risks
      • Akathisia
      • Fluoroquinolones
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Interdose Withdrawal
      • Paradoxical Reactions
      • Physical Dependence
      • Risks of Remaining on Benzodiazepines
      • Red Flags
      • Short-Term Risks
      • Side Effects
      • Suicide
      • Tolerance
    • Deprescribing
      • Ashton Manual
      • Detox, Cold Turkey, Abrupt Cessation
      • Dosages Prevent Safe Withdrawal
      • Estimates of Withdrawal
      • The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
      • How To Find Tapering Help
      • Phenobarbital
      • Tapering Strategies and Solutions
    • Desprescribing Risks
      • Akathisia
      • Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS)
      • Forced Switching or Stopping
      • Functional Brain Changes
      • Kindling
      • Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome (PWS)
      • Suicide
      • Withdrawal & Post Withdrawal Symptoms
    • Special Populations
      • Benzodiazepines and PTSD
      • Celebrities
      • Benzodiazepines and COVID-19
      • Older Adults
      • Women
      • Incarcerated Population
      • Substance Use Disorders
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Board Members and Advisors
    • Press Room
    • Receive Our Newsletter
    • FAQs
    • Volunteer
  • Our Impact
    • Media Outreach
    • Press Room
    • Programs
    • Research and Publications
    • Past Speaking and Events
    • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
    • Find Support
    • Benzodiazepine Cooperative Providers
    • Information
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Donate
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