Western Australia’s real time prescription monitoring system ScriptCheckWA is scheduled to become mandatory by June 12, 2025, meaning all health practitioners who prescribe or dispense medicines will need to check the system before handing over monitored medications.

The monitored medications are Schedule 8 drugs including opiods, stimulants, cannabis-based products containing THC, and opiod substitution drugs, as well as a list of Schedule 4 drugs, including benzodiazapines and codeine preparations.

ScriptCheckWA was launched in 2023 to reduce doctor shopping and people becoming dependent on prescription drugs.  

Experts say benzodiazepines are among the prescription drugs people are most likely to become dependent on. They are prescribed by doctors to relieve anxiety, stress, alcohol-withdrawal and for acute management of seizures. However, what often begins as short term relief can turn into long term dependence.  
 
For addiction awareness taper coach Guy Rotenberg, what was meant to be a 28-day prescription, resulted in a one and a half year withdrawal nightmare. He described the symptoms he had during that period as feelings of electric shock in the limbs, night terrors, scary running thoughts and delusions, extreme anxiety, restless leg syndrome, hypnic jerks and insomnia. 
 
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners WA co-deputy chair Dr Mariam Bahemia said: “They can be addictive and prolonged use can lead to dependence and withdrawal issues.”

She said the dependence is driven by a combination of medical, psychological and other factors — like chronic prescribing patterns, underlying mental issues and not being aware of the risks associated with benzodiazepines.  

Mr Rotenberg said he didn’t know the harm benzodiazepines could cause until he became dependent: “There was no formal understanding of what they are. That is why I am telling my story to help others.”

National Drug Research Institute Professor Steve Allsop said part of the overall strategy in reducing benzodiazepine dependence should include careful monitoring of patients, increasing the broader community’s health knowledge, and having a range of alternatives for patients.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows a decline in benzodiazepine-related deaths, with deaths in major cities dropping from 589 in 2022 to 443 in 2023. Deaths in other areas decreased from 191 in 2022 to 138 in 2023. Overall in 2023 there were 1160 deaths directly attributable to drug use in major cities and 444 in regional and remote areas.

The Penington Institute in its Australia Annual Overdose Report 2024 key takeaways noted that 73 per cent of drug-induced deaths were caused by a combination of drugs in the system and were not the result of a single drug.

Professor Allsop said a range of factors were contributing to the decline. He attributed it to more awareness of benzodiazepine harm, professional bodies ensuring good practice and real time monitoring systems, such as ScriptCheckWA.
 
Dr Bahemia agreed that real time monitoring was a major contributor to the decline, as this gives GPs the prescribing history of patients and reduced doctor shopping.  She also noted that there had been increased awareness among GPs about benzodiazepines, like campaigns and guidelines by RACGP.

In her words, “the notion of de-prescribing in a safe and structured way has become a crucial part of general practice for all patients, particularly older adults who are probably receiving most prescriptions for benzodiazepines in Australia.”  

With real time monitoring, doctor shopping can be reduced but what happens to people who are already dependent?

Mr Rotenberg said it wasn’t easy for him, instant ‘Cold Turkey’ or quick ‘detox’ doesn’t work and a gradual process is better. He said he used an exponential taper: “I reduced five to 10 per cent of my previous dose every two to four weeks in order to let my body adjust gradually.” 

Professor Allsop said withdrawal could be difficult and he emphasised the importance of seeking medical advice.

If you are experiencing benzodiazepine dependence or you are concerned about someone else, help is available 24/7. Call the Reconnexion Benzodiazepine Support Line on 1300 273 266 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) or the WA Alcohol and Drug Support Line at (08) 9442 5000 (metro) / 1800 198 024 (country) any time of day.