Szymański Michał, Korzeniowska Katarzyna, Jabłecka Anna
Przegl Lek. 2016;73(10):737-40.
Benzodiazepines (BZD) are substances with proven anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effect whose activity targets a macromolecular complex comprising GABAA receptors, benzodiazepine receptors and chloride channels. Broad spectrum of action of benzodiazepines affects their more and more frequent consumption by the patients, despite the reports on their addictive potential. The aim of the study was to analyze patients addicted to benzodiazepines, taking into account factors that may increase the risk of addiction.
The study was based on medical records of 52 patients (27 women, 25 men) of Independent Public Hospital for Mental Diseases Patients in Międzyrzecz from January 2013 to June 2015. The initial diagnosis of admitted patients included psychiatric and behavioral disorders due to taking hypnotics and sedatives (substance withdrawal). We analyzed the amount and time of use of benzodiazepines, alcohol consumption, as well as previous therapies due to alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence.
Among the 52 patients (27 women, 25 men aged 26 to 68 years), the majority of city dwellers was working with secondary education Average time of benzodiazepine use was 16 years, 60% of the patients were addicted to 1 benzodiazepine, 20% to two, 10% to three, and nearly 10% to 4. Clonazepam, alprazolam and diazepam were among the most frequently abused benzodiazepines.
More and more often observed too long term treatment with benzodiazepines poses the risk of dependence on this group of drugs.
