Abstract
Long-term use of benzodiazepines carries considerable personal consequences such as memory loss and functional impairment. In addition, use over time may bring about dependence and habituation thus leading older persons to believe they cannotdiscontinue the drug and to experience withdrawal symptoms should its use suddenly cease. The frequency of such negative consequences remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of self-rated addiction among older persons and its associated factors. Face-to-face computer-assisted interviews were conducted in the homes of 2,785 persons aged 65 years and over, randomly selected from across the Province of Quebec, Canada. Of the 707 users of benzodiazepines, 43% considered themselves addicted. They were more likely to be 75 years or over, to suffer from panic disorder, to believe that health professionals are ready and available to discuss emotional problems with them, and to be less than satisfied with their social relationships. This study showed that a large proportion of benzodiazepine users rated themselves as addicted. These findings indicate that it is important for nurses to screen older adults living in the community to identify those who continue to use benzodiazepine beyond the recommended therapeutic time frame, perceive themselves to be dependent, and could potentially benefit from participation in a withdrawal program.