Home > 'We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …': a content analysis of free-text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use.

Lynch, Tom and Ryan, Cristín and Huff, Christy and Foster, D E and Cadogan, Cathal (2024) 'We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …': a content analysis of free-text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use. Health Expectations, 27, (1), e13962. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13962.

External website: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hex.13...

BACKGROUND: Many individuals worldwide continue to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) long term (≥3 months). The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the views and experiences of discontinuing long-term BZRA use as documented in the free-text responses of respondents to an online questionnaire examining mediators of behaviour change relating to the discontinuation of long-term BZRA use.

DESIGN: The questionnaire was disseminated via online BZRA support groups to community-based adults with either current or previous experience of long-term BZRA use. The four free-text questions focused on (1) barriers and (2) facilitators to discontinuing BZRA use; (3) additional supports required to discontinue BZRA use; and (4) additional comments regarding BZRA use. Response data were analysed using summative content analysis.

RESULTS: The most commonly reported barrier to BZRA discontinuation related to the consequences of stopping the medication, including withdrawal symptoms and the possibility of return of the original symptoms. The most common facilitator that respondents reported would help them in discontinuing BZRA use was support, primarily from medical professionals. Many respondents reported having been harmed or negatively affected in some way because of BZRA use. Several respondents expressed regret over ever taking BZRAs and/or reported that, with the benefit of hindsight, they should never have taken BZRAs in the first instance.

CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the range of barriers faced by those attempting BZRA discontinuation and the importance of additional supports. Holistic and person-centred approaches are needed to support discontinuation of long-term BZRA use that considers an individual's personal circumstances and wider social context.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: 'Experts by experience' with previous experience of long-term BZRA use were involved in developing the questionnaire and writing the manuscript as collaborators. Individuals with lived experience of taking BZRAs completed the questionnaire.


Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, International, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
CNS depressants / Sedatives, Prescription/Over the counter
Intervention Type
Drug therapy, Treatment method, Screening / Assessment
Date
February 2024
Identification #
https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13962
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
27
Number
1
EndNote

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