Benzodiazepine use in a group of heroin addicts under opioid agonist maintenance treatment in a public service in Rome

Casella P., Zangaro S., Ricci M., Rosa A., Lupi A.M., Camposeragna A., Garofalo M.S., and Triunfo F.

Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems, Published Ahead of Print, January 24, 2017

Summary: Background: Benzodiazepines (BDZs) are widely commercialized for use in the treatment of several psychopathological conditions. Their extended and unnecessary use can lead to medical complications, problematic use, abuse and addiction. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the characteristics of a sample of Drug Addict (DA) subjects – some using BDZs, others not – in treatment with opioid agonist drugs, to identify possible differences between the two populations (of those with and without BDZ consumption). Methods: All the patients that were in treatment provided by the Public Treatment Service (PTS) for drug dependence and that presented to the PTS over a two-week period were interviewed in December 2014 on the basis of a semi-structured brief questionnaire administered by staff members. Results: Along with the older age of heroin addicts using BDZs, the higher frequencies of concomitant psychoactive therapies, the higher incidence of previous imprisonment, and the explanation provided by addicts for their use of BDZs are features consistent with the fact that BDZ use is more due to relief than to reward. Opioid medication and primary substance abuse do not influence the use of BDZs. Conclusions: The fact that opioid medication and primary substance abuse does not influence BDZ use further supports the hypothesis that the use of BDZs by heroin addicts is more a reflection of the severity of the addictive illness than a result of treatments and/or the concomitant abuse of other substances.

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