[The treatment of sleep disorders in opioid addicts]

Sleep disorders and hypnotic drug abuse in 112 opioid addicts were investigated. During intensive heroin use, regular or episodic benzodiazepines intake was found in 60.7% of the cases. The requirement for benzodiazepines in drug use may result from dissociated tolerance to opioids. Withdrawal insomnia was shown to develop in all the cases studied. The differentiation between objective and subjective requirements for hypnotics was carried out. The author suggests the term "hypnophilia". The interrelation between hypnophilia and higher anxiety is emphasized. Clozapine is a drug of choice in treatment of insomnia in opioid addicts.