Step 1 of 4 25% Learner Objectives After participating in this activity, learners should be able to: Episode Specific: Understand the importance of safe benzodiazepine and sedative prescribing. Identify the dangers of co-prescribing benzodiazepines and opioids, including overdose and respiratory depression. Identify appropriate non-opioid treatments for anxiety, including psychoeducation, CBT, SSRIs, and PRN medications. Screen for substance use disorders, prescribe the lowest effective dose, and manage withdrawal through gradual tapering. Podcast Series: Understand and apply to practice new legislation updates related to better prescribing Adopt approaches in safe prescribing for buprenorphine, sedatives, chronic opioid prescribing, co-prescribing, variants/novel drugs, and new trends Put into practice treatment of opioid use disorder and overcome barriers Apply strategies to engage and better serve communities with treatment of opioid use disorder Taking into account how well the learner objectives were met, how would you rate the podcast episode?1=Poor23=Good45=ExcellentList one or two strategies that you will put in pratice. An “ineligible company,” also known as a "commercial interest," is defined as any entity producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. Among the exemptions to this definition are government organizations, non-health care related companies and non-profit organizations that do not advocate for commercial interests. Did you perceive any bias toward a “commercial interest” in any presentation? Yes No If Yes, please explainWhat barriers do you face in implementing what you learned at the activity?Do you want to claim CME credit?(Required) Yes No CME Credit Claim FormTo claim CME credit, please provide your contact information below.First Name(Required)Last Name(Required)Credentials(Required)AddressCity/TownStateZipCountryEmail Address(Required)Company CME Accreditation The WSMA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The WSMA designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Credit Claim Physicians: The number of credits claimed equals the number of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM awarded, with one hour of participation equaling one AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim credit in 15 minute (i.e. 0.25 credit) increments. All other attendees: Please complete this form so that we may verify your participation in this activity, which was designated for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM awarded, with one hour of participation equaling one AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Attestation & Credits Claimed(Required) I attest that I have viewed/listened to the BPBT Podcast #24: Benzodiazepines and Sedative Prescribing (0.75 hours)Number of CME credits claimed (up to 0.75)(Required)Please enter a number from 0 to 0.75. Are you claiming MOC credit? By claiming MOC credit, you are granting the WSMA to share your learner data with the ACCME and the certifying Board(s).(Required) Yes No Quiz To claim MOC credit, you must receive a 100% score on the quiz. Participants may take the quiz multiple times. Question 1: What is a major concern with long-term use of benzodiazepines (benzos)?(Required) A) They are highly effective for long-term anxiety relief. B) They can lead to tolerance and dependence. C) They have no risk of addiction. D) They work better than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Selection is incorrect. Try again. You must select the correct answer to move forward.Correct! B) They can lead to tolerance and dependence. Long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to tolerance, meaning the body gets used to the drug and requires higher doses to achieve the same effect. This often leads to dependence, where the individual needs the drug to function normally and may experience withdrawal symptoms without it. These risks can develop surprisingly quickly—even within a few days or doses—making benzos unsuitable for routine or long-term use. Question 2: Which of the following is considered the first-line treatment for anxiety?(Required) A) Benzodiazepines B) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) C) Opioids D) Gabapentin Selection is incorrect. Try again. You must select the correct answer to move forward.Correct! B) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); CBT is evidence-based and considered a first-line treatment for anxiety because it addresses the underlying thought patterns and behaviors that drive anxiety. It’s effective in the long term, often as effective as medication (e.g., SSRIs), and comes without the risk of tolerance, dependence, or side effects associated with benzos. It teaches patients coping strategies and is widely accessible.Question 3: What is the recommended taper rate for safely discontinuing benzodiazepines?(Required) A) 5-10% every week B) 10-20% every 1-2 weeks C) 30-40% every month D) 50% every week Selection is incorrect. Try again. You must select the correct answer to move forward.Correct! B) 10-20% every 1-2 weeks; Tapering benzodiazepines slowly is essential to minimize withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, or even seizures. The recommended rate is to reduce the dose by 10–20% every 1–2 weeks, depending on the patient’s response. This allows the brain time to adapt and improves the chances of successfully discontinuing the medication. You have passed your quiz! MOC Credit Claim FormYou passed the required quiz with 100% score! To claim MOC credit, please provide your date of birth, certification board, and board learner ID.You will need to enter your certification board and learner ID below. Please use the link below to look up your learner ID for your respective board. American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) https://www.abim.org/verify-physician.aspx American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) https://theaba.org/diplomate%20directory.html American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOHNS) https://www.abohns.org/verify-certification American Board of Pathology (ABPath) American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) https://www.abp.org/verification-certification American Board of Surgery (ABS) American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS)Certification Board(Required)Select a certification board from the menuAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS)American Board of Pathology (ABPath)American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)American Board of Surgery (ABS)American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS)Board Not Listed (You may try self-claming)Certification Board Learner ID(Required)Do you need to add another board? Yes No Certification Board #2(Required)Select a certification board from the menuAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS)American Board of Pathology (ABPath)American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)American Board of Surgery (ABS)American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS)Board Not Listed (You may try self-claming)Certification Board Learner ID #2(Required)Date of Birth (mm/dd only, do not include year)(Required)Attestation(Required) I attest that I met the minimum threshold for participation for this activity by listening to or viewing the entire recording and passing the online quiz. By submitting this attestation, you are giving WSMA the permission to share your learner data with the ACCME and the certifying Board(s). Enter the amount of MOC Credit (up to 0.75)(Required)Please enter a number from 0 to 0.75.
