At the tipping point: Patient experiences of addiction to benzodiazepines and motivation to seek treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Addiction to benzodiazepines is a serious problem, and it is important to better understand how individuals can be motivated to quit. Few studies have investigated patients' perceptions and experiences of addiction to benzodiazepines and there is a need to better understand the influence of motivational factors on treatment seeking.

Methods: In this qualitative study, nineteen adults undergoing treatment for addiction to benzodiazepines participated in semi-structured individual interviews which were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Participants both defined addiction in relation to and found motivation to quit using benzodiazepines in the negative effects they experienced. Three themes were identified relating to a patient's journey towards a "tipping point" where they were motivated to seek treatment. Participants described that as their addiction grew, benzodiazepine use became a constant mental preoccupation resulting in the need to procure more medication. Participants faced a crossroads as their benzodiazepines became less effective, and many entered a negative cycle of dose escalation and withdrawal symptoms. Participants also described many negative impacts on psychosocial and practical aspects of their daily lives as they lost control to benzodiazepines.

Conclusions: The results of this study provide insight to patient perspectives on benzodiazepine addiction and suggests that patients find motivation to quit when the consequences related to benzodiazepine use reach a tipping point. Motivation is of clinical importance in the decision to seek treatment, and by working to identify and cultivate individual motivational factors, healthcare providers may be able to help more patients recover from addiction to benzodiazepines.

Keywords: Addiction; Benzodiazepines; Drug use; Patient experiences; Qualitative research; Substance-related disorders.