Utility of Cupping Therapy in Substance Use Disorder: A Novel Approach or a Bizarre Treatment?

Substance use disorder is a psychiatric problem not bound by age, sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, geography, socio-economic status, educational level, or political and religious ideologies. While robust pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatments are available for de-addiction and managing withdrawal symptoms, patients from rural areas and lower socio-economic classes often prefer alternative medicine. Cupping therapy is one such ancient practice used mainly for organic physical conditions. A patient addicted to alprazolam, codeine, and tobacco presented to our psychiatry outpatient department for de-addiction and management of his withdrawal symptoms. He came to seek professional help after a trial of cupping therapy by an alternative medicine practitioner, which did not improve his condition. His withdrawal symptoms subsided after standard treatment. As found in this case, cupping therapy is not beneficial in treating substance use disorder or managing withdrawal symptoms. Awareness of the utility and consequences of cupping therapy and other alternative therapies is required to promote rational scientific treatments. Substantial reforms in health promotion and health education are required to educate the general population regarding the most effective treatments available, and the risks of iatrogenesis associated with traditional cures that are not evidentially backed.

Designer benzodiazepine dependence and the difficulties of outpatient management; a case report.

BACKGROUND: Novel psychoactive substances, such as designer benzodiazepines (DBZD), are a growing public health concern. There are about 30 different DZBDs reported, which can vary widely in their effect and potential for harmful outcomes, ranging from agitation to confusion to coma. Despite the scope of this widespread phenomena, little information on the management of DBZD dependence is available in the literature. CASE: In this case report, we present a patient with DBZD dependence requesting assistance tapering off the DBZD, clonazolam. He began self-medicating with clonazolam seven years prior for panic attacks to the point he was using 40 drops per day and having significant withdrawal during the day. He was prescribed gabapentin for his underlying anxiety while he tapered his clonazolam dose. Once he achieved a 75% reduction in his use of clonazolam, he had trouble managing withdrawal and anxiety symptoms and could not taper further. DISCUSSION: We discuss the challenges of treating patients with DBZD use disorder in an outpatient setting. Switching a patient from a DZBD to a prescription benzodiazepine for the purposes of a taper can be dangerous as an outpatient due to the inability to monitor at-home DBZD usage and the resulting risk of overdose. DBZDs can also be highly potent and make it difficult to achieve success using current withdrawal guidelines.

Promoting benzodiazepine cessation through an electronically-delivered patient self-management intervention (EMPOWER-ED): Randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Long-term benzodiazepine dependence carries significant health risks which might be reduced with low-cost patient self-management interventions. A booklet version of one such intervention (Eliminating Medications Through Patient Ownership of End Results; EMPOWER) proved effective in a Canadian clinical trial with older adults. Digitizing such an intervention for electronic delivery and tailoring it to different populations could expand its reach. Accordingly, this article describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of an electronically-delivered, direct-to-patient benzodiazepine cessation intervention tailored to U.S. military veterans. Methods: Design: Two-arm individually randomized controlled trial. Setting: US Veterans Health Administration primary care clinics. Participants: Primary care patients taking benzodiazepines for three or more months and having access to a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Intervention and comparator: Participants will be randomized to receive either the electronically-delivered EMPOWER (EMPOWER-ED) protocol or asked to continue to follow provider recommendations regarding their benzodiazepine use (treatment-as-usual). Measurements: The primary outcomes are complete benzodiazepine cessation and 25% dose reduction, assessed using administrative and self-report data, between baseline and six-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are self-reported anxiety symptoms, sleep quality, and overall health and quality of life, measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up, and benzodiazepine cessation at 12-month follow-up. Comments: This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether the accessibility and effectiveness of a promising intervention for benzodiazepine cessation can be improved through digitization and population tailoring.

Mitigating Benzodiazepine Dependence and the Risk of Drug-Induced QTc Prolongation in the Treatment of Gastroparesis: A Case Report.

Patients are often faced with challenges when it comes to safe therapeutic options. An 89-year-old female with a history of arrhythmias and refractory gastroparesis complained of adverse drug events from her benzodiazepine. While performing a comprehensive medication review and a medication safety review using an advanced clinical decision support system, the pharmacist successfully tapered off the benzodiazepine to a safer alternative antidepressant indicated for the treatment of gastroparesis. Special attention was given to selecting drugs with less QT prolongation risk, based on her age, current drug regimen, previous medical history, and presence of polypharmacy.

Prevalence of and factors associated with acute withdrawal symptoms after 24 weeks of eszopiclone treatment in patients with chronic insomnia: a prospective, interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Although long-term use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZDs) has been associated with an increased risk of dependence, the incidence, details of clinical manifestations, and triggering factors of withdrawal symptoms associated with long-term BZD use at common clinical doses remain unclear. METHODS: In a multicenter, open-label study of 123 Japanese patients with insomnia, patients were given a common clinical dose of eszopiclone (2 mg) for 24 weeks, and then treatment was abruptly discontinued. Withdrawal symptoms were evaluated using the Benzodiazepine Hypnotics Withdrawal Symptom Scale (BHWSS). The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used to rate insomnia severity during treatment and 2 weeks after discontinuation. Dependence and poor compliance during treatment without strict medication controls were evaluated with the Benzodiazepine Dependence Self Report Questionnaire short version (Bendep-SRQ SV) subscale sum scores for problematic use, preoccupation, and lack of compliance. Associations between the presence of clinically relevant withdrawal symptoms (BHWSS≥7) and demographic measures, ISI scores at Week 24, and Bendep-SRQ SV subscale sum scores were evaluated by multivariable stepwise logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients completed treatment and 2 weeks of withdrawal; eight (10.5%) had clinically relevant withdrawal symptoms. On multiple logistic regression analysis, Bendep-SRQ SV subscale sum scores were correlated with withdrawal symptoms (odds ratio, 1.650; 95% confidence interval, 1.105-2.464; p = 0.014). Exacerbation of post-discontinuation insomnia was not significantly different between patients who showed clinically relevant withdrawal symptoms and those who did not (p = 0.245). CONCLUSIONS: Dependence and poor compliance may contribute to withdrawal symptoms with long-term BZD use. Providing guidance to ensure proper compliance is thought to be the best way to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000024462 (18/10/2016).

Current state of hypnotic use disorders: Results of a survey using the Japanese version of Benzodiazepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire.

AIMS: Benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZ-RAs) are frequently prescribed to treat insomnia; however, their long-term use is not recommended. To introduce an appropriate pharmaco-therapy, the current state and background factors of BZ-RAs' dependence must be elucidated. In this study, we developed a Japanese version of the Benzodiazepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire (Bendep-SRQ-J) and conducted a study of BZ-RAs' use disorder. METHODS: The Bendep-SRQ-J was created with permission from the original developer. Subjects were inpatients and outpatients receiving BZ-RAs between 2012 and 2013. Clinical data collected were Bendep-SRQ-J scores, sleep disorders for which BZ-RAs were prescribed, physical comorbidities, psychotropic drugs, and lifestyle factors. Logistic analysis was performed to extract factors associated with severe symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 707 patients prescribed BZ-RAs, 324 had voluntarily tapered or discontinued their drugs. Logistic analysis showed that the total number of drugs administered in the last 6 months correlated with both worsening of symptoms or conditions. This was more notable among younger patients, and the proportion of patients with severe symptoms or conditions increased with the increasing number of drugs. CONCLUSION: Using the Bendep-SRQ-J, we elucidated the current state of BZ-RA dependence. Nearly half of the patients were non-compliant. The proportion of patients with severe symptoms or disease conditions increased with the increase in the number of drugs administered. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to be aware of the likelihood of benzodiazepine dependence, especially in young patients and patients prescribed multiple hypnotics.

Effect of relaxation therapy on benzodiazepine use in patients with medically unexplained symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The change in the benzodiazepine (BZD) use of patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) following the application of relaxation therapy were examined. METHODS: Of the 221 outpatients with MUS using BZD, 42 received relaxation therapy. Change in BZD use was compared using a relaxation group (n = 42) and a control group that had 84 MUS patients whose baseline was matched by optimal matching algorithms. Logistic regression analysis was done to evaluate the effect of BZD-dependent factors on the BZD dose of the relaxation group. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the number of patients who decreased the amount of BZD and the number of patients whose subjective symptoms of MUS improved were significantly higher in the relaxation group (p < 0.05). In addition, a factor that made it difficult to reduce the BZD of MUS patients who had undergone relaxation was a long history of BZD use, for more than 6 months (odds ratio, 0.06, 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Relaxation therapy for patients with MUS may help reduce BZD use; however, early intervention is important to prevent BZD dependence.

Dependence liability of lormetazepam: are all benzodiazepines equal? The case of the new i.v. lormetazepam for anesthetic procedures.

There are contradictory publications and reports regarding the dependence liability of the 3-hydroxy-benzo-1,4-diazepine derivative lormetazepam, one of the most often prescribed hypnotic benzodiazepines which is now also available as an intravenous (i.v.) product for anesthetists. The author was involved in the preclinical and subsequently in the clinical development and post-marketing surveillance of lormetazepam. Here, he reviews the published and unpublished data about lormetazepam dependence and proposes explanations for contradictory views from other authors. On this basis and in contrast to class labeling from regulatory bodies and WHO, the author comes to the conclusion that use of lormetazepam definitely carries a lower risk of inducing dependence and causing abuse than most other benzodiazepines. This applies as well to Sedalam®, the new i.v. application form of lormetazepam, which is much better tolerated than propofol. Because of its pharmacokinetic properties and because all its effects can be fully antagonized with the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil, this innovative intravenous application form of lormetazepam provides an excellent method for premedication, symptomatic treatment of excitation and anxiety in the context of surgical or diagnostic procedures including outpatient interventions and for basic sedation during anesthesia.

Cognitive effects of pregabalin in the treatment of long-term benzodiazepine-use and dependence.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term benzodiazepine (BDZ) use and dependence affect cognitive functioning adversely and partly irreversibly. Emerging evidence suggests that pregabalin (PGB) might be a safe and efficacious treatment of long-term BDZ use. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in several core cognitive functions after successful treatment of long-term BDZ use and dependence with PGB. METHODS: Fourteen patients with long-term BDZ use (mean duration >15 years) underwent neuropsychological assessment with the mini-mental state examination and four tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) battery before the initiation of PGB treatment and at a two months follow-up after the cessation of BDZs. Patients' CANTAB percentile score distributions were compared with normative CANTAB data. RESULTS: Patients improved on cognitive measures of global cognitive functioning, time orientation, psychomotor speed, and visuospatial memory and learning with strong effect sizes. By contrast, they failed to improve on measures of attentional flexibility. Despite their significant improvement, patients' scores on most tests remained still at the lower percentiles of CANTAB normative scores. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, our findings suggest that successful treatment of long-term BDZ use with PGB is associated with a substantial, though only partial, recovery of BDZ-compromised neuropsychological functioning, at least at a 2-month follow-up.

[Benzodiazepine dependence and the risk of depression and anxiety disorders: seniors' health study]. / La dépendance aux benzodiazépines et le risque de troubles anxieux et de dépression : étude sur la santé des aînés.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between benzodiazepine dependence and anxiety disorders and depression in people aged 65 years and over. We referred to the data from the study on the health of seniors, a survey of a representative sample of 707 benzodiazepine users living in the community in Quebec, Canada. Benzodiazepine dependence, anxiety disorders and depression were measured using self-reported questionnaires based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth revised edition. RESULTS: Seniors have consumed an average daily dose of 6.1±7.6mg diazepam equivalent to an average of 205±130 days. The prevalence of benzodiazepine dependence has been estimated at 9.5%. This dependence increases the risk of minor depression for females (relative risk [RR]=4.36, confidence interval 95% [95% CI]=1.19 to 15.99). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the use of benzodiazepines is far from being optimal among seniors in Quebec. The proportion of seniors who develop an addiction is important. The results illustrate the need to develop and implement programs to improve the quality of benzodiazepine use among this population.

A case of Zolpidem dependence successfully detoxified with gabapentin.

An elderly female patient with Zolpidem dependence, who was successfully detoxified using Gabapentin is reported. Gabapentin may be considered as an alternative in the detoxification of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.

[Impact benzodiazepine dependence on the use of health services: senior' health study]. / Impact de la dépendance aux benzodiazépines sur l'utilisation des services de santé : étude sur la santé des aînés.

CONTEXT: Prolonged use of benzodiazepines increases the risk of addiction. The impact of this disease on the use of health services by older adults is not known. OBJECTIVE: Examine the association between benzodiazepine dependence and use of health services by older adults in Quebec. Methodology. The data comes from a survey conducted in Quebec in 2005-2006 with a representative sample of 707 elderly benzodiazepine consumption in the community. Benzodiazepine dependence was defined according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Revised Edition. The use of health services as measured by the incidence of consultations with health professionals over a period of 12 months. RESULTS: Seniors have consumed an average daily dose of 6.1 (± 7.6) mg diazepam equivalent to an average of 205 (± 130) days. The prevalence of benzodiazepine dependence has been estimated at 9.5%. This dependence increases the likelihood of consulting a specialist (odds ratio (OR) = 3.42; confidence interval 95% (CI 95%) = 1.38 to 8.50). Visits to other health professionals frontline were not significant. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the proportion of seniors who become addicted to benzodiazepines and do not use health services for this condition is important. There is a need to develop programs to improve the quality of benzodiazepine use in this population.

Uso inapropiado de fármacos de prescripción: dependencia a benzodiazepinas en adultos mayores / Prescription drugs misuse: benzodiazepine dependence in the elderly

Misuse and potential abuse of prescription drugs are growing problems in elderly people over 65 years old. Although the prevalence of this condition is difficult to estimate, drug misuse is most common in elderly women. A great proportion of the psychoactive prescriptions in old people include tranquilizers and hypnotics. There are several risk factors related to increased risk misuse, abuse, and dependence of prescription drugs. The following are among these risk factors: the female gender, social isolation, history of substance abuse or dependence, history of mental illness and medical exposure to prescription drugs with abuse potential. Also, BDZ consumption for a period longer than four weeks has also been associated to BDZ dependence, even at therapeutic doses. Until now, BDZ dependence in the elderly has been poorly studied, so the present study may increase our knowledge of this complex phenomenon. Objective The aim of the present study was to describe and compare sociodemographic and clinical features related to the prescription and benzodiazepines use in old people with and without dependence to these drugs in an outpatients psychogeriatric service. Method A total of 39 patients from the outpatients service at the psychogeriatric clinic of the National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente in Mexico City were recruited. All of the participants signed an informed consent to be included in the study. Several assessments were performed to determine the psycho-pathological status. Diagnosis of BDZ dependence was obtained with the SCID-I Interview, the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms were evaluated through the Montgomery & Asberg Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, respectively. For the evaluation of the functionality level, the Katz Index and GAF were used. Results No significant differences were found between patients with and without BDZ dependence in terms of social and demographic characteristics and medical comorbidity. The main Axis I diagnoses of the patients were depressive disorder or anxiety disorders. The first medical prescription of BDZ in patients with BDZ dependence was the presence of anxiety symptoms, while for patients without BDZ dependence the aim of BDZ prescription was the treatment of insomnia. The mean age of BDZ use onset and the time of consumption were 57.5 years and 675.2 weeks, respectively. The average dose of BDZ used by the patients was 14.4mg of diazepam equivalents. Significant differences were found between groups in terms of BDZ consumption features. Patients with BDZ dependence exhibited more drug seeking behavior, more abandonment of daily activities, and more tolerance and abstinence symptoms. Patients with BDZ dependence exhibited more prominent symptoms of anxiety and depression than patients without BDZ dependence. Also, these patients had a poorer cognitive performance and lower psychosocial functioning. Discussion BDZ dependence is a complex phenomenon related to the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms. These symptoms were the main reason for the medical prescription of BDZ. Although BDZ use was indicated for the treatment of anxiety disorders, the use of BDZ in the elderly has been contraindicated for the treatment of depression with anxiety features. The potential risk to develop BDZ dependence in elderly patients can be related to pharmacological variations due to changes in the metabolism process of aging and the interactions with other drugs. Both factors could increase half life of BDZ and their pharmacological effect in the organism. There were statistical differences in the drug-taking pattern of BDZ consumption in the patients. Patients with BDZ dependence had an earlier onset of BDZ consumption and longer use. The chronic use of BDZ is one of the most important risk factors for dependence development. For the present study, BDZ dependence was clinically defined in terms of tolerance and abstinence symptoms. This definition is in accordance to what has been described in international scientific literature as BDZ physiologic dependence. In this way, tolerance and abstinence symptoms might be the main reason why patients with BDZ dependence needed higher BDZ dosages for the treatment of anxiety symptoms. Sociodemographic characteristics in this sample were not related to the presence of BDZ dependence; nevertheless, it has been reported that the female gender and the presence of chronic pain are risk factors for BDZ abuse and dependence. Future longitudinal studies with an increased number of patients should assess the effect of these variables in BDZ dependence development in the elderly. Differences found in terms of cognitive performance may be related to the psychomotor retardation conferred by the use of BDZ, which may in turn have a direct impact on the velocity of mental performance in the patients. Also, the presence and severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms may also have a negative impact on cognitive performance. Generalization of the findings of the present research is limited by sample size. Nevertheless, the relevance of the present results highlight the importance of the careful prescription and inherent risks related to potentially addictive medications. Increasing our knowledge in the prescription of these medications will improve our medical attention and our patients' quality of life.

El abuso potencial y el uso inapropiado de fármacos de prescripción en adultos mayores de 65 años o más está en aumento. Aunque la prevalencia de esta condición es difícil de estimar, se sabe que es más frecuente en mujeres. Una gran proporción de los tranquilizantes e hipnóticos son prescritos a adultos mayores. El género femenino, el aislamiento social y una historia de abuso de sustancias y de trastornos mentales son los principales factores de riesgo asociados al uso inapropiado de fármacos. Por otro lado, el uso prolongado de benzodiazepinas (BDZ) -mayor a cuatro semanas- también se ha asociado al desarrollo de dependencia, aun cuando las BDZ se utilicen a dosis terapéuticas Objetivo El objetivo del presente estudio es describir y comparar las características sociodemográficas y clínicas relacionadas con la prescripción y el uso de benzodiazepinas en adultos mayores con y sin dependencia a las mismas en un servicio especializado de psicogeriatría. Método Se reclutó un total de 39 pacientes de la Clínica de Psicogeriatría del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente en la Ciudad de México. Todos los participantes consintieron por escrito su participación en el estudio. El diagnóstico de dependencia a BDZ se realizó a partir del SCID-I; la gravedad de los síntomas de depresión se evaluó mediante la Escala de Montgomery y Asberg (MADRS); los síntomas de ansiedad, con la Escala de Ansiedad de Hamilton (HAM-A), y el nivel de funcionalidad, mediante el Índice de Katz y el GAF. Resultados No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en las variables sociodemográficas y la comorbilidad médica. Los pacientes incluidos cursaron en su mayoría con un cuadro depresivo o algún trastorno de ansiedad como diagnóstico principal. La indicación médica inicial para el consumo de BDZ fue el tratamiento de la ansiedad para los pacientes con dependencia y del insomnio para los no dependientes. La edad de inicio del consumo de las BDZ y el tiempo de consumo fue de 57.5 años y 675.2 semanas en promedio, respectivamente. La dosis promedio utilizada por los pacientes fue de 1 4.4mg en equivalentes de diazepam. Los pacientes con dependencia a las BDZ mostraron una mayor gravedad de los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad, menor desempeño cognoscitivo y menor funcionamiento psicosocial, así como conductas de búsqueda y abandono de actividades relacionadas con el consumo y mayores síntomas de tolerancia y abstinencia a las BDZ. Discusión La dependencia a las BDZ se presentó como un fenómeno complejo relacionado con la intensidad de los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad, un consumo crónico y una mayor dosificación. La depresión con síntomas de ansiedad en el adulto mayor no debería tratarse con BDZ, ya que, además del riesgo de desarrollar dependencia, éstas pueden efectuar negativamente el desempeño cognoscitivo y el funcionamiento global de los pacientes. Al momento de prescribir una BDZ a la población geriátrica se deben tomar en consideración variables sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes. De la misma forma, será necesario evaluar en futuros estudios la influencia de la personalidad y otras variables clínicas sobre el desarrollo de esta dependencia.