But what if a patient gets hooked? Fallacies about long-term use of benzodiazepines.

Is a person who needs a certain drug to function normally and has a relapse of symptoms when it is withdrawn addicted? Dr Talley says no. Patients with a chronic anxiety disorder depend on benzodiazepines to enable them to live among the stresses of the real world, much like ulcer patients need ongoing drug therapy to subdue their problem. The fact that symptoms recur on withdrawal of the drug proves the continuing efficacy of the drug in controlling symptoms. Dr Talley gives advice on prescribing benzodiazepines for the long term that will help physicians and patients to avoid trouble.