Purchases of hypnotics, sedatives and minor tranquillizers anong 2,566 individuals in the country of Jämtland, Sweden

Data from a continuous recording of drug prescriptions to 16,600 individuals in the county of Jäatland, Sweden, revealed that 2,566 patients (15.5%) obtained prescriptions for hyponotics, sedatives and minor tranquillizers in 1970. Occasional use (one pruchase only, Group A) was seen in 7.4% of the population, intermediate use (two to six purchases, Group B) in 6.9% whereas 1.2% were regular users (seven purchases or more, Group C). For each group as a whole there was 5 years later a highly significant intriandividual reduction in the purchases of these durgs as well as of other psychotropic durgs. In all groups 10–23% had increased their purchases, most of them insignificantly. Fifteen of 30 patients with a marked increase in consumption developed a regualr purchase pattern, but signs of oversuse or abuse were sen in only foru persons. During the studied period the benzodiazepines increased their share of the total from 45 to 60%. Anithistamines also increased in all groups while the proportion of barbiturates and combined preprations decreased markedly.