Development of an intervention to manage benzodiazepine dependence and high-risk use in the context of escalating drug related deaths in Scotland: an application of the MRC framework

Table 4 Intervention component summary

Prescribing	Harm Reduction	Psychosocial
• Prescription of diazepam will be provided by the local clinical lead with a maximum dose of 30mg daily, depending on clinical assessment (in line with the Orange Guidelines) [6] • Participants GP and Community Pharmacist will be informed by letter that they are taking part in the study • The prescription will be reviewed monthly between the patient, intervention nurse and the prescriber	• Lockable boxes • Harm reduction advice^a • Safety conversations^a	• Trauma psychoeducation • Anxiety management • Sleep assessment • Pain management • Peer support group

Intervention participants also had access to a bespoke virtual learning environment including links to further information on the above elements of the intervention as well as discussion boards relating to these elements where they can talk to other participants, members of the research team and intervention nurses
^aManagement of high-risk benzodiazepines including ‘megadosing’ was addressed through safety conversations and harm reduction advice. This included discussion on the impact on memory, and the risk of overdose of high dose benzodiazepines alongside other drugs. The dosage of diazepam was set at 30mg max per day and this was accompanied by strong messages about risk of concurrent use

ISSN: 1472-6963