[Evaluation of a program to help discontinuation of benzodiazepines].
The efficacy of a new cognitive-behavioral group program to help discontinuation of benzodiazepines (PASSE) was evaluated by comparison to a group receiving only social support. Both programs lasted 20 weeks commencing with a preparatory period of one month and then tapering continually during 16 subsequent weeks until discontinuation. Forty-eight participants (24 in each condition) with a diagnosis of anxiety disorder took part in the study. These two active conditions were compared with a separate group of 41 people receiving standard tapering with physician counselling only. The results post-treatment supported the hypothesis that those receiving either of the two active treatments succeeded better in discontinuing benzodiazepines than those receiving the standard treatment. Among those completing the two active programs there was no difference in outcome between the social support and the cognitive behavioral (PASSE) group. However, when the rate of dropout was considered, the cognitive-behavioral group proved significantly superior than the social support group. The results suggest that a cognitive-behavioral program can help people wishing to discontinue benzodiazepines to psychologically tolerate the immediate effects of discontinuation.
Centre de recherche Fernand-Seguin.
Kieron P
KP
O'Connor
André
A
Marchand
Lucie
L
Brousseau
Nicole
N
Mainguy
Pierre
P
Landry
Pierre
P
Savard
Julie
J
Turcotte
Cathy
C
Léveillé
Sonia
S
Boivin
Denise
D
Pitre
Sophie
S
Robillard
Donald
D
Bouthillier