By Alison Knopf
On April 6, the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) released its long-awaited report, Guidelines for Addressing Benzodiazepine Use in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). The guidelines can be downloaded at: http://www.aatod.org/guidelines-for-addressing-benzodiazepine-use-in-opioid-treatment-programs-otps/.
The purpose of the AATOD report is to offer guidance, instead of restrictive procedures, to help OTPs treat these patients. The report notes that both careful monitoring and coordination of care that is “respectful but not capricious or punitive” are essential to ensure safe, effective, and individualized care for OTP patients.
See related article in this issue – Study: Benzodiazepines + Prescription Opioids = Caution Needed! available at: https://atforum.com/2017/04/study-benzodiazepines-prescription-opioids-caution-needed/