Table 1 Self-reported benzodiazepine consumption patterns, mental health problems, treatment behaviors, and attitude towards a benzodiazepine maintenance approach

Number of participants

41

Gender

Female

10

24.4

Male

31

75.6

Duration of use

Under 5 years

14

34.1

5 to 10 years

12

29.3

More than 10 years

14

34.1

Could not recall

1

2.4

Age at initial benzodiazepine use

Under 25 years

15

36.6

25 to 40 years

18

43.9

Over 40 years

7

17.1

Could not recall

1

2.4

Maximum dosage of a benzodiazepine that were ever used (expressed in diazepam equivalents)

Under 50 mg

14

34.1

50 to 100 mg

14

34.1

More than 100 mg

13

31.7

Number of inpatient discontinuation attempts

Less than 1

1

2.4

1 to 3

24

58.8

4 to 9

9

22.0

More than 9

7

17.0

Number of comorbid psychiatric diagnosis groups except substance use disorders (ICD-10)

None

10

24.4

One

15

36.6

More than one

16

39.0

Comorbid psychiatric diagnosis groups except substance use disorders (ICD-10)

Schizophrenia

1

2.4

Mood disorders

21

51.2

Neurotic disorders

12

29.3

Personality disorders

14

34.1

Lifetime substance use other than benzodiazepines

Alcohol

26

63.4

Cannabis

15

36.6

Heroin

28

68.3

None

4

9.8

Past or current experience with opioid maintenance treatment (OMT)

Yes

25

61.0

No

16

39.0

Employment status at the time of interview

Employed

12

29.3

Not employed

11

26.8

Retired

1

2.4

Disability pension

16

39.0

No data

1

2.4

Attitude towards an benzodiazepine maintenance approach

Rather positive

18

43.9

Rather negative and undecided

19

46.3

No data

4

9.7