Treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal through taper dosing is most successful when it lasts less than 6 months.

Introduction: Benzodiazepine use disorder (BUD) began to be evident in Albania after 1995 and after several epidemiological studies conducted at University Hospital Center "Mother Teresa" it evidentation that from 2005 to 2015 this was a growing problem. Physical dependence on Benzodiazepines (BZDs) is almost universal after long-term abuse. The rate of BUD and BZDs addiction worldwide appears to be similar to those in our country, constituting a public health problem. To reduce this problem in our country since 2015, were recommended protocols of Prof. Heather Ashton for treatment of BZDs withdrawal. The over-the-counter supply of BZDs was also banned the following years.

Objectives: The aim is to show that treatment of BZD withdrawal through tapering dosing is more successful when done under 6 months, regardless of BZD dose, strength and duration of action.

Method: This is a retrospective study conducted at the Clinical Toxicology Service in Tirana (CTST) during the years 2016 and 2021. The study included the first 10 patients presented to CTST in these years. The diagnosis of BZD withdrawal is based on clinical signs and history. Rapid urine tests were used to verify the presence of BZD up to one year after the end of taper dosing at various times without warning.

Results: The number of patients in the study was 20 (n=20), where 70% (n=14) were females and 30% (n=6) were males; Completed taper dosing 60% (n=12), where 10 were females and 2 were males; 6 females and 2 males had completed the conical dosage < 6 months, where only 2 females had tested positive during the control year; 4 females had completed taper dosing > 6 months, where only 2 females had tested positive during the control year; In the group of patients who did not complete the taper dosing, 6 of them were on a dose of 67.5 mg ±12.5 and 2 on a dose of 42.5 mg ±2.5. In the group of patients who completed taper dosing, 10 of them were on the 65.5 mg dose ±14.5 and 2 on the 35.5 mg dose ±2.5. In this group, patients who completed taper dosing < 6 months were with a dose of 63.75 mg.

Conclusions: Treatment of BZDs withdrawal via tapered dosing appears to be most successful when lasting < 6 months.