title: Genetic and psychosocial factors for benzodiazepine addiction. An analysis based on the results of the authors' own research conducted in a group of benzodiazepine addicted and non-addicted individuals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In spite of the fact that the addictive potential of benzodiazepine (BDZ) drugs has been known for a long time, benzodiazepine addiction remains a common problem for psychiatry to deal with. The etiology of benzodiazepine addiction is very complex. Among the risk factors, the course of the treatment, demographic status and psychological features of a patient seem to play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate both psychological and genetic factors differentiating benzodiazepine addicts from non-addicted users.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed a cohort of 120 individuals treated with benzodiazepines divided into two groups: benzodiazepine addicts and non-addicted benzodiazepine users (the control group). In both groups we measured genetic polymorphisms of GABA A2 and MAOA. In both groups some psychometric measurements were performed - we investigated the level of depression, anxiety as a state and as a trait, personality features and the dominant coping style using the Beck Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Five-Factor Personality Inventory NEO-FFI and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations [4,10,17,36,41,44].
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are some psychological and situational risk factors for benzodiazepine addiction such as high neuroticism, introversion and lack of the ability to release tension through interpersonal contacts, dominance of emotional coping style and high accumulation of critical life events during both childhood and adulthood. The genetic background still remains a field for further exploration.
authors.affiliation: Independent Clinical Psychology Unit, Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konopka
authors.affiliation: Independent Clinical Psychology Unit, Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grzywacz
authors.affiliation: Dialogue Therapy Centre, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murawiec
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samochowiec
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines