title: Can we say that seniors are addicted to benzodiazepines?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The elderly are the biggest consumers of Benzodiazepines (BZD) and/or BZD equivalents. However, the risks of developing addiction in this age group are often underestimated.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study describes the nature and extent of addiction in the elderly using DSM IV items.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We noted a high prevalence of addiction in our population and identified a two-factor profile in subjects of 65 years of age and older addicted to BZD/equivalents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This profile led us to reconsider anew the definition of addiction, the approach to addiction in this age group, and the way to prescribe treatment by BZD/equivalents in this population.
authors.affiliation: Addictology Center, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France. rgane77@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Morgane Guillou
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Landreat
authors.forename: Caroline Victorri
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Vigneau
authors.forename: Jean Benoit
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hardouin
authors.forename: Marie Grall
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Bronnec
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marais
authors.forename: Jean Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Venisse
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jolliet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines