title: [Problems in long-term benzodiazepine treatment].
abstract: The risk of drug dependency following long-term use of benzodiazepines is reviewed and complemented with own experiences. Withdrawal from high- and low-dose dependency was followed by systematically recording symptoms. Insomnia, a cardial symptom, was recorded in the sleep-laboratory during withdrawal. Benzodiazepines suppress the deep phases of sleep almost completely. In the course of withdrawal induced rapidly by a 50% reduction of the administered dose at five day intervals leading to substantial withdrawal symptoms sleep-EEG's improved considerably. The patients felt substantially better after withdrawal.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soyka
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines
vernacular_title: Probleme der Benzodiazepin-Langzeitbehandlung.