Weaning for management of disorders of substance use

Weaning (deprescribing) describes the gradual reduction of medication doses, until an appropriate safer dose is reached, or the drug is stopped. Staged supply (dispensing small amounts of medication) can support weaning; see Safe prescribing and supply during planned substance withdrawal in a home setting for more detail. Advice is available in these guidelines for weaning benzodiazepines, zolpidem and zopiclone, pregabalin and gabapentin, quetiapine and other antipsychotics and sedating antihistamines.

For some patients with chronic pain, weaning opioids is appropriate; the Pain and Analgesia Guidelines provide advice on deprescribing opioids and adjuvants. Medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence can also be considered for some patients with chronic pain.