[Benzodiazepine use in a sample of patients on a treatment program with opiate derivatives (PTDO)].
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OBJECTIVES
Benzodiazepines (BZ) are widely prescribed drugs, but their use is controversial in patients who present a disorder caused by substance use/abuse, due to the risk of tolerance and abuse/dependence. The purpose of this work is to determine the levels of BZ use in patients treated with methadone and to compare them with findings from the current literature.
METHODOLOGY
a sample of 43 patients was selected; inclusion criterion was being on the PTDO (treatment program with opiate derivatives) at the UAD (Drug-dependence unit) in Monforte de Lemos (Lugo-Spain). Demographic and use variables were analyzed. Data collection and subsequent analysis were carried out using the statistical program SPSS 12.0.
RESULTS
46.5% of the patients take BZ, and of these, 60% are over age 45. The most widely used of these is alprazolam (p<0.001), and 70% take just one active ingredient. The main prescriber is the general practitioner, and the most frequent indication is insomnia.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
BZ-use data and their relationship to time spent on methadone are similar to those of other published studies. Despite the recommendation to use long half-life BZ in patients with substance abuse disorders, it is striking that in the case studied here the most widely prescribed type is alprazolam.