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.
Learning Objectives
- 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.
Additional Information
Instructor: Christopher Reist, MD, MBA
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. Disclosure: Christopher Reist, MD, MBA discloses the following potential conflict of interests/commercial interests: Relevant Financial Relationship with Alkermes as Grant/Research Support Relevant Non-Financial Relationship with No Entities Exists as a Contributor
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. Disclosure: Kimberly Workman, MA discloses the following potential conflict of interests/commercial interests: Relevant Financial Relationship with Relias LLC as a Salaried Employee Relevant Non-Financial Relationship with No Entities Exists as a Contributor
Available Credit
- 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.50 ANCC
- 1.50 ASWB
Price
Course Code: REL-BHC-0-BUMATM
This course is offered through Relias LLC.
To take this course you will be redirected to Relias LLC's website. You must login or create an account with Relias LLC in order to complete this activity.
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