Can therapy replace risky anxiety pills for patients on opioids?
NCT ID NCT05573906
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to a gradual benzodiazepine taper helps patients with anxiety who also take prescription opioids reduce their benzodiazepine use. 42 primary care patients were randomly assigned to receive either CBT or a health education control alongside a 12-week taper. The goal was to see if CBT improves adherence, satisfaction, and reduces benzodiazepine and opioid use while managing anxiety.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
cognitive behavioral therapy plus benzodiazepine taper
What this could lead to
If it works, this could provide a safer way for patients with anxiety and chronic pain to reduce their benzodiazepine use while managing anxiety effectively.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with only 42 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The intervention requires active participation and may not work for all patients.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ANXIETY DISORDERS are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
UCLA Family Health Center
Santa Monica, California, 90404, United States
-
UCLA Health MPTF Toluca Lake Primary Care
Burbank, California, 91505, United States
-
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
Los Angeles, California, 90025, United States