Group Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence

Summary Sixteen patients referred for withdrawal from their chronic benzodiazepine usage were treated over a 28‐week period using a primarily cognitive approach in a group or on an individual basis using telephone contact. The withdrawal regime was individually tailored for each patient according to the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Anxiety management and cognitive restructuring techniques were used to help patients relabel their withdrawal symptoms as cues for the implementation of coping strategies. Patients in both groups were successful in reducing their intake over the treatment period but patients treated in the group showed lower attrition rates and better long‐term outcome. Withdrawal symptoms, anxiety and depression improved alongside the reduction in drug intake and improvements were maintained at a 3 month and 1 year follow‐up.