@article{ref1,
title="Use of psychoactive medication in short- and long-term abstainers from alcohol",
journal="Alcohol and alcoholism",
year="2017",
author="Nalpas, Bertrand and Perney, Pascal",
volume="52",
number="4",
pages="447-452",
abstract="AIM: To document the use of prescribed psychoactive medicines in France in patients recovering from alcohol use disorders (AUDs). <br><br>METHOD: Survey among short- and long-term abstainers attending groups of French self-help associations for AUDs, recording socio-demographic profile, duration of abstinence, prescription of psychoactive medication and attitudes towards that, and whether or not in medical or psychological follow-up for AUD. <br><br>RESULT: Five hundred seventy-five abstainers participated. More than a half had stopped drinking for at least 5 years. About 25% of the very long-term abstainers were still in follow-up. Benzodiazepines, then antidepressants, were the most frequently used medication. Prescriptions of medication decreased with length of abstinence; was always higher in women than in men and in those with a medical follow-up. About 45% claimed that they were 'dependent' on their pills. Ten years after having stopping drinking, 19 and 42.1% of men and women, respectively, were still under medication. Cluster analysis of self-opinion on medication showed that in ~30% of the subjects medication seemed to be prescribed for precautionary reasons. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Psychoactive medication in France is frequently prescribed for years following alcohol withdrawal. While it is possible that this is over-prescription, and further work in this regard is needed, changes in an on-going treatment for a given patient would need to be cautious. SHORT SUMMARY: Psychoactive medication in alcohol use disorders often prescribed for long-term abstainers in France. Benzodiazepines and antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed drugs. Prescription is more frequent in women and in those subjects having medical follow-up for their alcohol problem. Over-prescription is discussed.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0735-0414",
doi="10.1093/alcalc/agx018",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agx018"
}