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Psychiatric Morbidity in Dependent Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepine Users

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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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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr Shruti Srivastava (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University College of Medical Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India) for his review and suggestions on the draft of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Yong Lin, Wai Kwong Tang & Hua Jun Liang

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Alan Tang

  3. University of Notre Dame/Marian Centre, Perth, Australia

    Gabor S. Ungvari

  4. Australia & School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    Gabor S. Ungvari

  5. Department of Psychiatry, 7F B, Shatin Hospital, 33 A Kung Kok Street, Ma On Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Wai Kwong Tang

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  1. Yong Lin
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Correspondence to Wai Kwong Tang.

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Lin, Y., Tang, W.K., Liang, H.J. et al. Psychiatric Morbidity in Dependent Z-Drugs and Benzodiazepine Users. Int J Ment Health Addiction 15, 555–564 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9679-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9679-x

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