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Hypnotic and minor tranquilizer use among inpatients and after discharge
The International Journal of the Addictions
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Hospitalized patients using minor tranquilizers were more likely to continue use after discharge. Inpatient hypnotic use did not predict outpatient hypnotic use, suggesting different habituation patterns for these drug classes.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Long-term habituation is a significant concern when prescribing hypnotics and minor tranquilizers in hospital settings.
- Understanding post-discharge medication use is crucial for managing potential dependence and adverse outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the patterns of hypnotic and minor tranquilizer use among former psychiatric inpatients after hospital discharge.
- To investigate the association between inpatient medication use and subsequent outpatient use of these drug classes.
Main Methods:
- Survey of former psychiatric inpatients regarding their hypnotic and minor tranquilizer usage.
- Comparison of outpatient use based on inpatient prescription status (e.g., flurazepam, chloral hydrate, or no hypnotics).
Main Results:
- Inpatient use of specific hypnotics (flurazepam, chloral hydrate) did not correlate with their continued outpatient use.
- A significant association was found between inpatient and outpatient use of minor tranquilizers.
- Outpatient use of minor tranquilizers was also significantly linked to outpatient hypnotic use.
Conclusions:
- Inpatient exposure to hypnotics may not predict long-term outpatient hypnotic use.
- Minor tranquilizer use in hospital settings appears to be a predictor of continued outpatient use, indicating a potential for habituation.
- The findings suggest distinct long-term use patterns for hypnotics versus minor tranquilizers following psychiatric hospitalization.