Benzodiazepine dependence: detoxification under standardized conditions.
In an analysis of the withdrawal syndrome of 12 patients dependent on benzodiazepines (BZD), important factors such as underlying psychiatric disease, precipitating life events, complaints leading to BZD use, and also positive and negative psychological and social consequences, duration of intake, dose and type of BZD dependence are discussed. Withdrawal was completed under standardized inpatient conditions reducing the BZD dose to 50% of the previous dose once every 5 days and maintaining control through regular measurements of the BZD urine concentrations. The course of the somatic, psychological and perceptual withdrawal phenomena was documented according to Lader's BZD withdrawal symptom checklist (Lader, M. (1983) J. Clin. Psychiatry 44, 121-127). The reduction scheme proved to be safe and efficient; no major withdrawal syndromes developed. Abstinence phenomena largely disappeared within 10 days of discontinuation.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, Germany.
P M
PM
Brenner
B
B
Wolf
T
T
Rechlin
G
G
Kauert
E
E
Rüther
H
H
Hippius
D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines