Dependence on hypnotic drugs in general practice.
Of the patients in an industrial general practice 1.3% required hypnotic drugs regularly. They were predominantly in the older age groups (mean 62.7 years), with an excess of widows. Only 0.02% were severely dependent; the remainder were mildly so, though they had been taking hypnotics for long periods (mean 5.6 years). There were three main original indications for hypnotics-namely, medical (pain), psychiatric, and onset insomnia in anxious personality disorder. One-fifth of the patients first took hypnotics while in hospital. The group as a whole manifested a high degree of abnormal psychological disposition.It is suggested that many patients who take hypnotics regularly may be placebo reactors, and a more critical attitude to hypnotic prescribing is required both in hospital and in general practice.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005984:Glutethimide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006113:United Kingdom
D001463:Barbiturates; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D005984:Glutethimide