Improving anxiety treatment while reducing benzodiazepine use in patients taking opioids
Official title: Augmenting the Efficacy of Benzodiazepine Taper with Telehealth-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Patients Using Prescription Opioids
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10705005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for people who take both anxiety medications (benzodiazepines) and pain medications (opioids) to see if a special online therapy program can help them safely reduce their anxiety meds while also checking in on their pain and anxiety levels over 12 weeks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $162,342 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA053394-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10705005 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients who are currently prescribed both benzodiazepines and opioids for anxiety and pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not using benzodiazepines or opioids, or those with anxiety disorders not requiring medication, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to help patients who are prescribed both benzodiazepines for anxiety and opioids for pain. It aims to safely taper off benzodiazepines using a telehealth-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program. Participants will be involved in a 12-week program where they will either receive CBT or health education while tapering their benzodiazepine dosage. The study will assess their benzodiazepine and opioid use, as well as anxiety symptoms, at various points during and after the treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer treatment options for patients with anxiety disorders who are also using prescription opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively treat anxiety disorders, suggesting that this approach may also be beneficial in the context of tapering benzodiazepines.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate Basia — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate Basia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.