[Withdrawal of addictive drugs--patients' experiences?].

BACKGROUND

The prescription of addictive drugs has been a cause for concern. Various small-scale interventions towards patients and doctors have proven effective in terms of cutting down the number of prescriptions. However, little is known about users' experience with withdrawal of addictive drugs; exploring this is the main aim of the present study.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Six focus group sessions with 27 former high and low dosage drug users, mainly of benzodiazepines, were conducted. All groups were audiotaped and analysed by qualitative methods.

RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION

Five distinct themes emerged: reasons for drug use initiation, experience of being a user, experience related to drug withdrawal, of leading a life without medication, and experience with and expectations from doctors. Our group members pointed out that drug use was often initiated by the doctor and offered instead of counselling in acute crises. Information on side effects such as addictiveness was reported as largely absent. Both high and low dosage users reported a significant increase in self esteem and ability to cope that was directly related to drug withdrawal and they reported a substantially improved quality of life. Doctors seldom initiated drug reduction strategies and were largely regarded as absent during the withdrawal process. Our informants wanted better care, information and ability to communicate from their doctors, but also stricter prescription strategies and systematic control mechanisms.