IS DETOXIFICATION OR TAPERING OF BENZODIAZEPINE ABUSE ADVISABLE IN AN ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC

摘要

Anxiety and distress are very frequent in the population and pharmacological and other remedies abound. Abuse of benzodiazepines is a common phenomenon encountered in general practice and in hospital settings. Benzodiazepines also constitute a very useful part of the armamentarium of the psychiatrist in an acute resident setting. Tapering benzodiazepine use in such a setting is a challenge, and even though this may be accomplished with benzodiazepine blockers or detoxification under anaesthesia, this may address only parts of the patient’s problem areas. The challenge is taken by experienced psychiatrists and narcologists despite the high risk of failure. A conflict may arise in the acute ward between use as a powerful co-medication and curbing dependence and abuse in patients.