Benzodiazepine Tapering Decisions: Basic Principles through Complex Management
Thursday, April 23, 2026 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
*Not included with the full conference; separate registration required
Overview
This is an interactive, case-based course designed for healthcare providers who work with patients taking benzodiazepines. Through expert guidance, peer discussions, reflection, and collaborative learning, participants will explore evidence-based and patient-centered approaches to decisions around tapering. This course focuses on enhancing patient engagement and readiness, managing complex withdrawal, and addressing unique clinical needs and co-occurring conditions.
Participants will review tapering protocols, standardized guidance, and best practices to develop individualized, practical strategies. By the end of the course, participants will have developed effective strategies and tools to safely and confidently guide patients through the tapering process.
Who Should Attend
This course is for healthcare professionals who work with patients taking benzodiazepines.
Course Topics
Overcoming Patient Resistance
Tapering 101: Minimizing Withdrawal
Tapering Guidance: Case-based Discussions
Psychiatric Comorbidities
Polysubstance Use
Special Populations (Pregnancy, Elderly, & Chronic Pain)
Course Faculty
Emily Brunner, MD, DFASAM (Course Director)
Stephen Holt, MD, FASAM (Course Director) Donovan Maust, MD, MS Chinyere Ogbonna, MD, MPH
In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine 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.
Credits Available
Physicians: 6 Credits
Nurses & NPs: 6 Nursing Contact Hours
Pharmacology Hours: 3.25 Hours
PAs: 6 Credits
Pharmacists: 6 Credits
Social Workers: 6 Credits
Interprofessional Continuing Education: 6 Credits
Certified Counselors: 6 NBCC Contact Hours
American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
NAADAC: 6 CE Credits
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) or Continuing Certification Programs (CCP)
This activity meets the requirements for MOC/CCP for the following primary physician boards and for state licensing CME requirements. MOC Credit is only reported for ABA, ABP, ABIM, and ABS. By completing the online credit application and evaluation, the learner permits ASAM to report credits to the appropriate Board. Learn more.
ABIM MOC Points: 6 Medical Knowledge | 6 Patient Safety
ABP MOC: 6 Lifelong Learning & Self-Assessment
ABS Continuing Certification: 6 Accredited CME
ABA MOCA 2.0®*: 6 Lifelong Learning | 6 Patient Safety MOCA 2.0® is a trademark of the American board of Anesthesiology®. This activity contributes to the patient safety CME requirement for Part II: Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment of the American board of Anesthesiology's (ABA) redesigned Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program® (MOCA®), known as MOCA 2.0®. Please consult the ABA website, https://www.theaba.org/, for a list of all MOCA 2.0 requirements.
Additionally, this activity has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the following primary physician board certification requirements. Please confirm with your individual Board.
American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM)
American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
Certificates for Other Professions
All participants may request a certificate of participation upon completion of the activity and an online evaluation confirming their participation. Learners are strongly advised to contact their professional licensing board or professional association to confirm this certificate will be accepted as evidence supporting continuing education requirements.
California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE) This educational program is approved by CAADE: #CP40 999 1225.
California Association of DUI Treatment Centers (CADTP) This educational program is approved by CADTP: #205.
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) This educational program is approved by CCAPP: #OS-20-330-0227.
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) Upon completion of the activity and online evaluation, all other participants may request a certificate of participation. Participants may submit this certificate of participation to their professional organization/institute as documentation for completing this accredited continuing activity.
Disclosure Information
In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education.
