Patients with this risk level are using sedatives (for example: Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, etc.) in ways that can have important implications for their health and may meet DSM-5 criteria for Sedative Use Disorder at a lower level of severity. They are at some risk for adverse outcomes associated with their sedative use.
Display Title
Sedative Risk Level: Problem Use - Risk for Adverse Outcomes
Tool Type
Drugs of Abuse
Risk Level
Moderate
Additional Resources
- Yale School of Medicine: Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment Training Manual
- NIDA: Motivational Interviewing Skills Practice
- Center for Health Training: OARS Essential Communication Techniques
- SAMHSA: Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment
- NIDA: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (3rd ed.)
Suggested Action
The recommended intervention for patients in the “problem use” group is to deliver a brief intervention.
- Talk about health consequences.
- Tailor messages to the individual patient.
- Express concern and recommend quitting.
- Assess further for Sedative Use Disorder using a clinical interview (consider using the DSM-5 Sedative Use Disorder criteria as a guide).
- Use the FRAMES components and motivational interviewing techniques (see references for specific resources) to encourage change.
- Make a specific plan, including strategies for reducing health consequences of sedative use.
- Review any prescribed medications to identify those that may increase the risk of overdose (opioids, other benzodiazepines).
- Educate patient on overdose prevention and on risks associated with combining benzodiazepine with alcohol or other drugs.
- Advise not to use sedatives and drive.
- Arrange follow-up.