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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

Published in:

01-06-2017

Psychiatric Morbidity in Dependent Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepine Users

Authors: Yong Lin, Wai Kwong Tang, Hua Jun Liang, Alan Tang, Gabor S. Ungvari

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 3/2017

Abstract

Zolpidem/zopiclone (Z-drugs) and benzodiazepines (BDZs) have different profiles of comorbidity, but studies have seldom explored these differences. This study examined psychiatric comorbidity in patients dependent on Z-drugs or BDZs attending substance abuse clinics in Hong Kong. In this retrospective chart review, the medical records of 207 patients (117 on Z-drugs and 90 on BDZs) treated between January 2008 and August 2012 were analysed. Demographic data, patterns of substance misuse and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were recorded. Patients dependent on Z-drugs were younger (40.5 ± 10.4 vs. 46.8 ± 11.6; p < 0.001), had an earlier age of onset of drug misuse (p = 0.047) and were more likely to currently use cough syrup (29.5 ± 12.1 vs. 33.6 ± 14.5; p = 0.009) than the BDZs dependent patients. Overall, the Z-drugs and BDZs groups had a similar frequency of comorbid psychotic disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Mood disorders were the most common comorbid psychiatric disorders. The zopiclone group had a significantly higher percentage of psychotic disorders than the zolpidem group (25.5 % vs. 0; p = 0.022). To summarize, patients with Z-drugs or BDZs dependence have similar psychiatric comorbidities, with depressive disorder the most common comorbidity. Zopiclone is more likely to be associated with psychotic disorders than zolpidem.

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Title: Psychiatric Morbidity in Dependent Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepine Users
Authors: Yong Lin
Wai Kwong Tang
Hua Jun Liang
Alan Tang
Gabor S. Ungvari
Publication date: 01-06-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9679-x

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Psychiatric Morbidity in Dependent Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepine Users

Abstract

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Abstract

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