Open AccessBenzodiazepine maintenance for alcohol dependence: A case series
Author(s) -
Shivanand Kattimani,
Balaji Bharadwaj,
Anand Babu Arun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of family medicine and primary care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2278-7135
pISSN - 2249-4863
DOI - 10.4103/2249-4863.220038
Subject(s) - medicine , benzodiazepine , adverse effect , detoxification (alternative medicine) , addiction , psychiatry , alcohol withdrawal syndrome , alcohol and health , alcohol dependence , alcohol abuse , alcohol , intensive care medicine , pharmacology , alcohol consumption , alternative medicine , biochemistry , chemistry , receptor , pathology
Alcohol addiction is a chronic relapsing syndrome. Benzodiazepines remain as the mainstay for detoxification, taking care of the acute withdrawal syndrome. There is fear of dependence and abuse of benzodiazepines on prolonged use. Here, we selectively interviewed ten cases who were on longer duration of benzodiazepines to elicit their potential perceived benefits, attitudes, and any adverse effect. Three patients experienced adverse effects. None of them had features of benzodiazepine dependence. We opine that in select cases, benzodiazepine use should persist beyond detox period, and its benefits continue beyond the acute withdrawal phase while monitoring their safety/adverse effects.