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Defining benzodiazepine dependence: the confusion persists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

SM Linsen ,
FG Zitman  and
MHM Breteler
SM Linsen
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Catholic University Nijmegen, PO Box 9101 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
FG Zitman*
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Catholic University Nijmegen, PO Box 9101 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
MHM Breteler
Affiliation:
Clinical Psychology, Catholic University Nijmegen, PO Box 9101 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
*
*Correspondence and reprints.
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Summary

Little consensus exists on the risk of benzodiazepine (BZD) dependence. We investigated how often BZD dependence and related concepts have been defined in the literature on BZD effects in humans. In addition, the definitions of BZD dependence were compared in order to assess the similarity of contents. From a total of 250 papers (published between 1988 and 1991) 51 provided 126 dependence-related definitions. Six studies referred to the DSM definitions and one to the WHO definition. The obsolete concept of addiction was frequently defined (n=13), with little consensus about its meaning. Psychological and physical dependence were defined fairly often (n=29), also with low levels of consensus. We conclude that the discussion on the risk of BZD dependence would be well-served by attempting to improve consensus first. This may lead to more meaningful data on the incidence, prevalence and relevant co-factors of BZD dependence. An outline for criteria for benzodiazepine dependence is presented.

Keywords

benzodiazepinessubstance dependenceaddictionreview
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 10 , Issue 6 , 1995 , pp. 306 - 311
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier, Paris 1995

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