Adverse events from opioids do not arise only from over-prescribing, nor should such events be of concern only to clinicians who prescribe them. A shadow epidemic has risen from co-prescribing medications such as benzodiazepines with opioids that requires all clinicians be aware of related issues. This course discusses non-opioid alternatives for pain management and summarizes regulatory and practical recommendations for reducing risk associated with benzodiazepines. Additionally, it reviews evidence-based risk management strategies to detect, screen, and manage patients with OUD.
