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Addiction to diazepam.

B M Maletzky, J Klotter

    The International Journal of the Addictions
    |January 1, 1976
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study found strong evidence that diazepam (a common medication) can cause tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, similar to addictive drugs. Physician perceptions of addiction changed when they knew the drug was diazepam.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology
    • Psychiatry
    • Clinical Medicine

    Background:

    • Growing concerns exist regarding the potential for diazepam to cause addiction.
    • Understanding diazepam's effects on tolerance and withdrawal is crucial for patient safety.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the addicting potential of diazepam.
    • To assess the development of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms associated with diazepam use.
    • To evaluate the influence of physician knowledge on addiction perception.

    Main Methods:

    • A sample of 50 patients from medical, surgical, and psychiatric clinics were interviewed about their diazepam use.
    • Physician ratings of addiction were collected under two conditions: blinded and unblinded to the drug being diazepam.
    • Computer-aided analysis, including a correlation matrix, was used to analyze the data.

    Main Results:

    • The study revealed significant evidence of diazepam's capacity to elicit tolerance and withdrawal in the studied sample.
    • No difference in "addiction-proneness" was observed between psychiatric patients and those receiving diazepam for medical conditions.
    • Physicians' assessments of addiction were significantly more favorable when they knew the drug was diazepam.

    Conclusions:

    • Diazepam demonstrates a notable potential for causing tolerance and withdrawal, challenging its perceived safety profile.
    • Patient vulnerability to diazepam's addictive potential does not appear to be limited to psychiatric populations.
    • Physician bias can influence the perception of drug addiction, highlighting the need for objective assessment.

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