The In-BOAT Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
In-BOAT: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Diazepam Maintenance Intervention versus Standard Care of Tapering Diazepam to Reduce Dependent Street Benzodiazepine Use in Adults Receiving Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT)
IRAS ID
1012642
Contact name
Catriona Matheson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN34696930
Research summary
Benzodiazepines are medicines prescribed to help anxiety and sleep problems usually in the short term. Use of prescribed and non-prescribed benzodiazepines with opioid drugs like heroin is common in people who use illegal (street) drugs and is linked to drug related deaths. Opioid dependency can be treated with opioid agonist treatment (OAT; prescribed methadone or buprenorphine) but there is no similar treatment for people who are also dependent on benzodiazepines.
This study will include people who are being treated with OAT and who are using street benzodiazepines. We will test whether providing a steady supply of a prescribed diazepam (a type of benzodiazepine), along with additional support to address why people use benzodiazepines (anxiety, trauma, sleep problems and pain) will reduce the use of street benzodiazepines by participants. We will compare this against standard care, which is a reducing dose of diazepam over a maximum period of six months. Everyone in the study will continue with their OAT treatment. Half will get the steady supply of prescribed diazepam and additional support, and half will get standard care.
We will measure the use of high-risk street benzodiazepines via a mouth swab every month which we will test to see what drugs have been taken. We will also ask people about their drug and alcohol use, and information on any overdoses. We will also collect information at 6 and 12 months on anxiety, depression, memory and cognition, and if treatment is acceptable. We will collect information on use of other services.
We will interview some participants and the staff working with them to learn about experiences of treatment. This will help us understand why the new intervention or standard care works or not.
The study will take place in centres in Scotland and England where benzodiazepine use is a particular problem.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
25/NI/0117
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion