‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Many individuals worldwide continue to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) long term (≥3 months). The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the views and experiences of discontinuing long-term BZRA use as documented in the free-text responses of respondents to an online questionnaire examining mediators of behaviour change relating to the discontinuation of long-term BZRA use. DESIGN: The questionnaire was disseminated via online BZRA support groups to community-based adults with either current or previous experience of long-term BZRA use. The four free-text questions focused on (1) barriers and (2) facilitators to discontinuing BZRA use; (3) additional supports required to discontinue BZRA use; and (4) additional comments regarding BZRA use. Response data were analysed using summative content analysis. RESULTS: The most commonly reported barrier to BZRA discontinuation related to the consequences of stopping the medication, including withdrawal symptoms and the possibility of return of the original symptoms. The most common facilitator that respondents reported would help them in discontinuing BZRA use was support, primarily from medical professionals. Many respondents reported having been harmed or negatively affected in some way because of BZRA use. Several respondents expressed regret over ever taking BZRAs and/or reported that, with the benefit of hindsight, they should never have taken BZRAs in the first instance. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the range of barriers faced by those attempting BZRA discontinuation and the importance of additional supports. Holistic and person-centred approaches are needed to support discontinuation of long-term BZRA use that considers an individual's personal circumstances and wider social context. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: 'Experts by experience' with previous experience of long-term BZRA use were involved in developing the questionnaire and writing the manuscript as collaborators. Individuals with lived experience of taking BZRAs completed the questionnaire.
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In a large survey, self-paced tapers adjusted to withdrawal symptoms were linked to greater success.
“In a large survey, self-paced tapers adjusted to withdrawal symptoms were linked to greater success (Lynch et al., 2024).”
From Pharmacological principles for safe benzodiazepine and Z-drug dose reduction (2026) · cites this paper as Lynch et al., 2024
The Results section (‘Facilitators of BZRA discontinuation’; page unavailable) reports that respondents considered a slow tapering plan helpful. It does not report that self-paced tapers adjusted to withdrawal symptoms were associated with greater success; that outcome comparison is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.82)
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Background
Flagged first, then by citations
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Influential
- Authors
- Lynch, T., Ryan, C., Huff, C., Foster, D. E., & Cadogan, C.
- Affiliations
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (IE)
- Trinity College Dublin (IE)
- Benzodiazepine Information Coalition Midvale Utah USA
- Benzodiazepine Action Work Group Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Aurora Colorado USA
- Corresponding author
- Cadogan, Cathal
- Venue
- Health Expectations
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2024-01-07
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e13962-e13962
- ISSN
- 1369-6513 (ISSN-L)
- 1369-7625
- PMC
- PMC10771803
- OpenAlex
- W4390650355
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 3.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Health Expectations (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Clement Archer Scholarship)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Keywords
- benzodiazepine receptor agonists, long-term benzodiazepine use, benzodiazepine tapering, drug discontinuation, withdrawal symptoms, barriers and facilitators, patient support, regret, person-centred care, lived experience
- MeSH terms
- Drug Tapering, Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome, GABA-A Receptor Agonists
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