Effect of patient recognition of tranquilizers on their use in alcohol detoxification

The effect of patient recognition of tranquilizing agents on patient requests for tranquilizers during detoxification treatment was evaluated. A total of 120 subjects, all patients at a detoxification unit, were randomly assigned to four groups: diazepam 10 mg in its commercially available form, diazepam 10 mg masked in opaque capsules, hydroxyzine pamoate 50 mg in its commercially available form, and hydroxyzine pamoate 50 mg masked in opaque capsules. Tranquilizers were administered only on patient request, and the time and date of each request were recorded. Subjects were interviewed about previous tranquilizer use and recognition of tranquilizing agents. They also completed a state-trait anxiety inventory. Patient records were reviewed to obtain basic demographic data. Although requests and recognition were higher in those subjects in the diazepam groups, the differences between the two groups were not significant. However, there was a positive relationship between requests for diazepam among those who recognized their medications, and administering the medications in opaque capsules significantly reduced the number of requests for both drugs. Anxiety scores and previous drug therapy were found to be significantly related to recognition and the average number of requests. There was a positive relationship between recognition of and requests for a tranquilizer. Clinicians should consider giving patients with a tendency to abuse drugs nonidentifiable dosage forms.