Can we say that seniors are addicted to benzodiazepines?
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.
Landreat
Morgane Guillou
MG
Addictology Center, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France. rgane77@hotmail.com
Vigneau
Caroline Victorri
CV
Hardouin
Jean Benoit
JB
Bronnec
Marie Grall
MG
Marais
Marie
M
Venisse
Jean Luc
JL
Jolliet
Pascale
P
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
D001569:Benzodiazepines