Benzodiazepine Withdrawal in Primary Care: A Comparison of Behavioural Group Training and Individual Sessions

Abstract

Group training in anxiety management was compared with individual general practitioner appointments as a means of reducing dosage of benzodiazepines. Subjects were encouraged to withdraw at their own pace. Drug reduction, self-ratings of anxiety, depression and Health Locus of Control comprised the outcome measures. Process changes were recorded using visual analogue scales, and daily diary records. At the end of a six-week intervention period, the average dosage had significantly reduced in both groups. This reduction was maintined at a 15-week follow-up. There were no other differences in outcome between conditions. Although subjects reported a variety of symptoms during drug withdrawal, their occurrence was not significantly associated with the degree of dosage reduction.