Severity of alprazolam dependence and associated features among long-term alprazolam users from psychiatric outpatient clinics in Taiwan
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
114
Journal Issue
11
Pages
1097-1104
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the correlations between the severity of alprazolam dependence and socio-demographic characteristics, the characteristics of alprazolam use, psychiatric comorbidity, and beliefs toward alprazolam use among long-term alprazolam users in Taiwan. Methods: A total of 148 long-term alprazolam users participated in this study. The Chinese version of the Severity of Dependence Scale was used to assess participants' severity of alprazolam dependence in the preceding month. Their socio-demographic characteristics, family function characteristics, dosage of prescribed alprazolam, duration of alprazolam use, alcohol use pattern, pain reliever and cigarette use pattern, severity of depressive symptoms, psychiatric diagnosis, and belief toward alprazolam use were investigated. Results: The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that a longer duration of alprazolam use, severe depressive symptoms, a high level of belief in the necessity of alprazolam treatment, and a high level of concern about the potential adverse consequences of alprazolam use were significantly associated with more severe alprazolam dependence. Conclusion: Doctors should closely monitor the severity of alprazolam dependence among long-term users, especially patients' levels of depression, beliefs in the necessity of alprazolam treatment, and their concerns over the adverse consequences of continued treatment with alprazolam. ? 2014.
Subjects
Alprazolam; Benzodiazepines; Correlates; Drug dependence; Psychiatric outpatients
SDGs
Other Subjects
alprazolam; analgesic agent; alprazolam; anxiolytic agent; adult; alcohol consumption; analgesia; anxiety disorder; Article; assessment of humans; comorbidity; correlation analysis; demography; depression; disease severity; drug dependence; drug use; family functioning; female; health belief; human; long term care; major clinical study; male; mental disease; mental patient; outpatient department; prescription; psychiatric diagnosis; psychiatric treatment; severity of dependence scale; smoking; Taiwan; treatment duration; Anxiety Disorders; comorbidity; depression; drug dependence; middle aged; multivariate analysis; psychological rating scale; psychology; regression analysis; severity of illness index; Adult; Alprazolam; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Anxiety Disorders; Comorbidity; Depression; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Regression Analysis; Severity of Illness Index; Substance-Related Disorders; Taiwan
Type
journal article