Psychiatric Morbidity in Dependent Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepine Users

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 perce ntage 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.
Source: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Category: Addiction Source Type: research