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A follow‐up study of patients treated for benzodiazepine dependence
Author(s) -
Golombok Susan,
Higgitt Anna,
Fonagy Peter,
Dodds Susan,
Saper Joanna,
Lader Malcolm
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1987.tb02724.x
Subject(s) - benzodiazepine , psychiatry , psychology , medical prescription , regimen , interview , medicine , pharmacology , receptor , political science , law
By interviewing and administering questionnaires to 63 patients one to five years after treatment for benzodiazepine dependence the long‐term success rate was examined together with factors associated with outcome. Fifty‐four per cent of patients had permanently withdrawn from medication at follow‐up. Most of those who were successful continued to experience psychiatric symptoms after discharge. Significantly more women than men managed to withdraw from medication. Outcome was not related to previous benzodiazepine regimen, psychiatric history or experiences of withdrawal. It is argued that psychological adjuncts should be included in the treatment of benzodiazepine dependence in order to prevent relapse.