Benzodiazepine dependent patients and their psychological treatment

1. 91 patients were referred to a tranquilizer withdrawal clinic. 44 of these entered a withdrawal programme. The characteristics of the patients are described. 2. 72% of patients accepted for benzodiazepine withdrawal had a history of previous psychiatric contact. They also had significantly higher scores on S.T.A.I. than control groups of non-psychotic psychiatric out-patients indicating a considerable psychiatric morbidity prior to withdrawal. 3. 12 patients were treated with psychological group therapy using anxiety management techniques. The outcome of this pilot study showed that 50% of subjects were able to discontinue their benzodiazepines despite previous failures. 4. Patients found learning to cope with symptoms, sharing problems with others and learning to change thoughts the most useful components of the anxiety management package during withdrawal.