Aims
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are effective on the short-term against anxiety and insomnia. However, some BZD users develop BZD dependence after a relatively short period of time. Therefore, we aimed to identify the risk factors of BZD dependence.
Design
A longitudinal, observational cohort study.
Setting
The Netherlands.
Participants
Four hundred one BZD users (13.5%) of the 2,981 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) were included.
Measurements
Sociodemographic, physical, psychological, addiction related, and BZD use related characteristics were investigated as possible correlates of BZD dependence severity. Dependence severity was measured by the three subscales of the Benzodiazepine Self-Report Questionnaire, which are Problematic Use, Preoccupation, and Lack of compliance.
Findings
In multivariate analyses, Problematic Use was associated with more GP contacts in the past six months (β= 0.170, p=0.001) and severity of insomnia (β= 0.145, p=0.004). Preoccupation was related with anxiety severity (β= 0.194, p=0.001), antidepressant use (β= 0.197, p<0.001), alcohol dependence (β= 0.185, p<0.001), and a higher daily dosage of BZD (β= 0.160, p=0.001). Lack of compliance was associated with higher age (β= 0.122, p=0.03), unemployment (β= 0.105, p=0.04), insomnia (β= 0.129, p=0.01), antidepressant use (β= 0.148, p=0.002), and alcohol dependence (β= 0.108, p=0.02).
Conclusions
Insomnia, antidepressant use and alcohol dependence may increase the risk of benzodiazepine dependence among individuals who use benzodiazepines.