How to Support Someone Tapering off Medication
<p>If you have a loved one who’s preparing to start tapering off of benzodiazepines or opioids, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. It’s a good idea for you and for anyone else who’s close to the patient to do some reading and preparation, so you can help create a supportive environment. This person is about to do something difficult and frightening and will need your support. And that means you need to know what to expect.</p>
<p>First of all, you should know that many people who need support tapering off of benzodiazepines or opioids have been taking medication as prescribed by a doctor. True addiction to benzodiazepines is rare, but physical dependence is extremely common among patients who’ve been taking the medication as prescribed for a significant period of time. In the case of opioids, long-term use is also highly likely to lead to dependence. We have an opioid crisis in this country in large part because doctors prescribed these drugs without full knowledge of how dangerous long-term use could be. Patients who’ve been taking these medications for years face serious health risks if they attempt to quit ‘cold turkey.’</p>
<p><a href="https://lucidlanehealth.medium.com/how-to-support-someone-tapering-off-medication-6584a71c4085"><strong>Website</strong></a></p>