Prevalence and Pattern of Benzodiazepine Abuse and Dependence Among Patients in a Methadone Detoxification Programme: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Analysis (Benzodiazepine Abuse Among Opiate Addicts)

Abstract

This study was a repeated cross-sectional analysis of records of admissions to an in-patient methadone detoxification programme in two twelve-month matched periods, four years apart. The objectives were to identify changes in prevalence and pattern of benzodiazepine abuse and dependence among opiate addicts between the first (baseline) and second (follow-up) study periods. Prevalence rate of benzodiazepine abuse increased from 11.8% at baseline to 36% at follow-up, and the rates for benzodiazepine dependence at baseline and follow-up were 4.5% and 15.4% respectively. The following significant changes between the two study periods were also observed: Age of first benzodiazepine use, temazepam use, combined use of multiple benzodiazepines, injecting behaviour, use of barbiturates and cannabis, severity of dependence, and rate of treatment completion. The need to routinely assess methadone detoxification patients for benzodiazepine abuse and dependence on admission is underscored.