title: Clonazepam as agonist substitution treatment for benzodiazepine dependence: a case report.
abstract: Nowadays, the misuse of benzodiazepines (BZDs) is a cause for a serious concern among pharmacologically inexperienced patients, whether treated or untreated, that could lead to significant complications, including tolerance, dependence, and addiction. We present a case report in which an Italian patient affected by anxiety disorder and treated with BZDs presented a severe case of dependence on BZDs. We treated him according to an agonist substitution approach, switching from the abused BZD to a slow-onset, long-acting, high potency agonist (clonazepam), and looking at the methadone treatment model as paradigm. We decided to use clonazepam for its pharmacokinetic properties. The advantage of choosing a slow-onset, long-lasting BZD for the treatment of our patient was that it led us to a remarkable improvement in the clinical situation, including the cessation of craving, absence of withdrawal symptoms, reduced anxiety, improvements in social functioning, and a better cognition level.
authors: Vincent P. Dole Dual Diagnosis Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Santa Chiara University Hospital, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy ; Association for the Application of Neuroscientific Knowledge to Social Aims (AU-CNS), Lucca, 55045 Pietrasanta, Italy.
authors: Angelo Giovanni Icro
authors: AG
authors: Maremmani
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Rovai
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Rugani
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Bacciardi
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Pacini
authors: Liliana
authors: L
authors: Dell'osso
authors: Icro
authors: I
authors: Maremmani