Long-Term Outcome after Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Treatment in Subjects with Complicated Dependence
Abstract
Background The study aimed to monitor subjects with benzodiazepine (BZ) dependence after withdrawal treatment in order to evaluate long-term outcome and predictors of remaining BZ-free. Subjects with high-dose dependence or co-occurring alcohol problems were not excluded.Method Seventy-six participants in an earlier, randomized, controlled trial of outpatient BZ discontinuation were interviewed, and documents from their treatment settings obtained, along with urine and serum samples for BZ use. Long-term outcomes for a cognitive-behavioral treatment group and a treatment-as-usual group were measured.Results BZ discontinuation treatment outcomes were maintained in both treatment groups. No between-group differences were found. At the end of the study 25% of the subjects were BZ-free, and the median dose decrease from pre-treatment levels was 16.1 mg in diazepam equivalents. Subjects with pre-treatment doses exceeding 40 mg were able to maintain their doses at therapeutic levels through the follow-up. Pre-treatment low BZ dose, no previous withdrawal attempts, and high life satisfaction predicted success in staying BZ-free.Conclusions In subjects with complicated BZ dependence, the benefits of BZ discontinuation treatment may persist, but more studies are needed.
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During maintenance of abstinence, orienting behaviors towards life-values, ACT improves quality of life, which along with social support is a factor in successful withdrawal and protection against relapse.
“During the phase of maintaining abstinence, by orientating behaviors towards life-values, ACT improves quality of life which, along with social support, is a factor involved in successful withdrawal and protection against relapse [113,115,152,153,154].”
From Cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy for the discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use in insomnia and anxiety disorders (2021) · cites this paper as [153]
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- Authors
- Vorma, H., Naukkarinen, H., Sarna, S., & Kuoppasalmi, K.
- Affiliations
- A-Clinic Foundation (FI)
- Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Vorma, Helena
- Venue
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-06
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 309-314
- ISSN
- 0376-8716 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2055869235
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Yrjö Jahnssonin Säätiö
- Alkoholitutkimussäätiö
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
- Keywords
- benzodiazepine dependence, long-term outcomes, cognitive behavioral therapy, usual care, predictors of treatment success, life satisfaction, alcohol problems
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Benzodiazepines, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Forecasting, Humans, Male, Anti-Anxiety Agents, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Odds Ratio, Treatment Outcome, Substance-Related Disorders
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