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Benzodiazepine dependence. Avoidance and withdrawal

S Marriott1, P Tyrer

  • 1Department of Community Psychiatry, St Charles' Hospital, London, England.

Drug Safety
|August 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Benzodiazepine dependence affects nearly one-third of patients on long-term prescriptions, often causing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and perceptual disturbances. Risk factors include high dosage and longer treatment duration.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Benzodiazepine dependence is a common issue with regular prescriptions exceeding four weeks.
  • Dependence manifests as tolerance, drug-seeking behavior (especially in predisposed individuals), and a withdrawal syndrome upon cessation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the characteristics and risk factors associated with benzodiazepine dependence.
  • To inform safe prescribing practices for benzodiazepines.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical observations and literature regarding benzodiazepine use and dependence.
  • Identification of symptoms and risk factors contributing to benzodiazepine dependence.

Main Results:

  • Nearly one-third of patients on benzodiazepines for over four weeks develop dependence.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Withdrawal syndrome includes anxiety, perceptual disturbances (depersonalization, sensory hypersensitivity), dysphoria, and rarely seizures or psychosis.
  • Key risk factors include high dosage, potent/short-acting benzodiazepines, long treatment duration, and dependent personality traits.

    • Conclusions:

    • Benzodiazepine dependence is a significant risk with prolonged use.
    • Understanding risk factors can guide safer prescription practices.
    • Benzodiazepines can be prescribed safely when risk factors are absent and duration is limited.