Benzodiazepine use among opiate-dependent subjects in buprenorphine maintenance treatment: Correlates of use, abuse and dependence
Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2009-01-01; 99(1-3): 338-344
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.07.017
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1. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2009 Jan 1;99(1-3):338-44. doi:
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.07.017. Epub 2008 Sep 27.
Benzodiazepine use among opiate-dependent subjects in buprenorphine maintenance
treatment: correlates of use, abuse and dependence.
Lavie E(1), Fatséas M, Denis C, Auriacombe M.
Author information:
(1)Laboratoire de Psychiatrie/EA 4139, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2,
INSERM-IFR n degrees 99, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux, France.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies from North America, Europe and Australia have
reported high levels of benzodiazepine use among opiate-dependent patients in
opiate maintenance treatment. However, to date, there are no available data on
patterns of abuse and dependence on benzodiazepines according to DSM criteria
among these patients.
AIMS: To describe the independent correlates of use, abuse and dependence on
benzodiazepines among buprenorphine patients selected from standard treatment
settings.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study in France between June 2001 and June 2004.
Buprenorphine patients treated for over 3 months were recruited via physicians
prescribing buprenorphine. Patients answered a self-administered questionnaire,
the DSM-IV criteria for benzodiazepine abuse and dependence, the Beck Anxiety and
Depression Inventories (BAI, BDI) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Main
outcome was modalities of benzodiazepine use: no use vs. simple use vs.
problematic use (abuse or dependence according to DSM-IV).
RESULTS: 170 patients were recruited. 54% did not use benzodiazepines during the
previous month, 15% were simple users and 31% were problematic users.
Benzodiazepine use (all modalities) was associated with poly-use of
psychotropics. Simple users of benzodiazepines were not statistically different
from non-users for the other factors explored. Problematic users of
benzodiazepines had higher depression and anxiety levels, correlated with quality
of life impairment and precariousness. They used higher dosages of
benzodiazepines than simple users.
CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of simple benzodiazepine users were distinct from
problematic users but not from non-users in this sample of buprenorphine
patients. This should be taken into account in the clinical management of
benzodiazepine use among buprenorphine patients.
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.07.017
PMID: 18824311 [Indexed for MEDLINE]