Benzodiazepines: Uses, Misuses, and Alternative Treatment Models
There are a variety of primary and secondary uses for benzodiazepines. However, regardless of how clinicians or patients use them, benzodiazepines should be a short-term intervention. They are usually not recommended for use as long-term or permanent treatment solutions. This course will provide learners with information on the primary and secondary uses of benzodiazepines and an overview of their advantages when used appropriately. The course content will also discuss the risks associated with misuse and alternate treatment methods. Finally, learners will be able to apply learned concepts to vignettes.
There are a variety of primary and secondary uses for benzodiazepines. However, regardless of how clinicians or patients use them, benzodiazepines should be a short-term intervention. They are usually not recommended for use as long-term or permanent treatment solutions. This course will provide learners with information on the primary and secondary uses of benzodiazepines and an overview of their advantages when used appropriately. The course content will also discuss the risks associated with misuse and alternate treatment methods. Finally, learners will be able to apply learned concepts to vignettes.
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC 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.
Relias LLC designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC 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.
Nurses will receive 1.50 Nursing Contact Hours after successfully completing this course.
American Psychological Association
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As a Jointly Accredited organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer co-sponsored psychology continuing education by the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA is an associate member of Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Association of Social Work Boards
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Relias LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 Clinical continuing education credits.
Course Delivery Format: Asynchronous Distance Learning-interaction includes quizzes with questions and answers, post-tests. This module is Reading-Based Online.
Breining Institute for Registered Addiction Specialists
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators
Relias Learning is an approved provider of Continuing Education. Provider number: CP40 910 H 0318 for 1.50 CEHs.
California Association of DUI Treatment Programs
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
Provider approved by CCAPP, Provider number 1S-06-729-0220 for 1.50 CEH's
Connecticut Certification Board
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Florida Board of Medicine
Florida Board of Medicine (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Psychology
Florida Board Of Psychology (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Psychologists will receive 1.50 hours.
Florida Physician Assistants
Florida Physician Assistants (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Marriage and Family Therapist Continuing Education Sponsor
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Illinois Professional Counselor/Clinical Counselor
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals
Education hours MCBAP-S
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Missouri Credentialing Board
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals
This course has been approved by Relias LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.50 CE. NAADAC Provider #86124, Relias, LLC is responsible for all
aspects of their programming.
National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
National Board for Certified Counselors
Relias, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No.6110. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Relias , LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This activity is approved for 1.2500 contact hours.
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Social Work Unit
Relias, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0009.
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social work in New York. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice for an LMSW and LCSW. A licensee who practices beyond the authorized scope of practice could be charged with unprofessional conduct under the Education Law and Regents Rules.
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias Learning are considered “self-study” under section 74.10(c)(2)(ii)(b)(4) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
Social workers will receive 1.50 continuing education hours for participating in this course. This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0009
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, Mental Health Counselors (MHC)
Relias, LLC, is recognized by New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0011
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias, LLC are considered "self-study". The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board of Psychology
North Dakota Board of Nursing
North Dakota Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Ohio Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RTX050401 (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours
Ohio Professional Counselor Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Provider # RCX100502 (CEBroker Provider: 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Ohio Social Worker Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board Provider #RSX091903 (CEBroker Provider # 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.50 contact hours.
Ohio State Medical Board
State Medical Board of Ohio (CEBroker Provider #: 50-290)
Physicians will receive 1.50 AMA PRA category 1 Credits™.
Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors
South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Therapists
South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Therapists (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology
South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
West Virginia Board of Social Work
West Virginia Board of Social Work (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Identify the common uses for benzodiazepines.
Describe the advantages and risks associated with benzodiazepine use.
Explain the risks associated with combining benzodiazepines with other substances.
Discuss alternative interventions for anxiety and insomnia.
Outline:
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Overview of Benzodiazepines
Emily
What Are Benzodiazepines?
How They Work
What Are They Used For?
The “Z” Drugs
Pharmacology
Advantages of Benzodiazepines
Review
Summary
Section 3: Risks Associated with Benzodiazepine Use
Adverse Side Effects
Chronic Use of Benzodiazepines
Lung Complications
Benzodiazepines and Older Adults
Non-Medical Use of Benzodiazepines
Sedative, Hypnotic, and Anxiolytic Use Disorder
Mixing Benzodiazepines and Other Substances
Benzodiazepines and Opioids
Benzodiazepines and Alcohol
Benzodiazepines, Trauma, and PTSD
Discontinuation Syndrome
Minimizing Discontinuation Syndrome
Remember Emily?
Review
Summary
Section 4: Alternate Treatment Methods
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
Evidence-Based Psychotherapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT and Anxiety Disorder
Exposure Therapy
Antidepressant Medication
Treatment for Insomnia
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
Sleep Hygiene
Review
Summary
Section 5: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
References
Dr. Reist is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine. He has served as Assistant Dean in the College of Medicine and the Director of Medical Research for the Long Beach Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. Formerly, he served as Chief of Mental Health, overseeing full service mental health care delivery to over 50,000 enrollees at the Long Beach VA Healthcare System. He was the Associate Director of the Southern California VA Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), which is focused on improving long-term outcomes in chronic psychotic disorders through basic/clinical research and dissemination of evidence-based practices. Dr. Reist’s clinical interests include schizophrenia, impulsivity, PTSD, pharmacogenomics, and psychopharmacology. DoD, NIMH, and VA Medical Research have supported his research. Dr. Reist is a Distinguished Fellow of the Psychiatric Association, has been recognized as an Exemplary Psychiatrist by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and is included in Best Doctors 2007-2019. He is the author of two books and over 75 original scientific articles.Staff Writer: Kimberly Workman, MA
Ms. Workman is an Instructional Designer at Relias. She has a Master of Arts in Technology and Communication, as well as graduate certificates in Public Health, Epidemiology, and Digital Communications. Ms. Workman has a background in writing and designing online continuing medical education for physicians and other health professionals on multiple educational platforms, including web-based, game-based, and immersive learning environments. She has also used simulation training extensively to connect learning to real-world environments.
The target audience for this course is: Advanced level Psychologists; Intermediate level Alcohol and Drug Counselors; Intermediate level Marriage and Family Therapists; Intermediate level Professional Counselors; Intermediate level Social Workers; Nurses; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
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