‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use
Abstract Background Many individuals worldwide continue to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) long term (≥3 months). The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the views and experiences of discontinuing long‐term BZRA use as documented in the free‐text responses of respond...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Health Expectations |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13962 |
| _version_ | 1797296153306333184 |
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| author | Tom Lynch Cristín Ryan Christy Huff D. E. Foster Cathal Cadogan |
| author_facet | Tom Lynch Cristín Ryan Christy Huff D. E. Foster Cathal Cadogan |
| author_sort | Tom Lynch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Many individuals worldwide continue to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) long term (≥3 months). The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the views and experiences of discontinuing long‐term BZRA use as documented in the free‐text responses of respondents to an online questionnaire examining mediators of behaviour change relating to the discontinuation of long‐term BZRA use. Design The questionnaire was disseminated via online BZRA support groups to community‐based adults with either current or previous experience of long‐term BZRA use. The four free‐text questions focused on (1) barriers and (2) facilitators to discontinuing BZRA use; (3) additional supports required to discontinue BZRA use; and (4) additional comments regarding BZRA use. Response data were analysed using summative content analysis. Results The most commonly reported barrier to BZRA discontinuation related to the consequences of stopping the medication, including withdrawal symptoms and the possibility of return of the original symptoms. The most common facilitator that respondents reported would help them in discontinuing BZRA use was support, primarily from medical professionals. Many respondents reported having been harmed or negatively affected in some way because of BZRA use. Several respondents expressed regret over ever taking BZRAs and/or reported that, with the benefit of hindsight, they should never have taken BZRAs in the first instance. Conclusion The findings highlight the range of barriers faced by those attempting BZRA discontinuation and the importance of additional supports. Holistic and person‐centred approaches are needed to support discontinuation of long‐term BZRA use that considers an individual's personal circumstances and wider social context. Patient or Public Contribution ‘Experts by experience’ with previous experience of long‐term BZRA use were involved in developing the questionnaire and writing the manuscript as collaborators. Individuals with lived experience of taking BZRAs completed the questionnaire. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:59:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-955ec3d2058d4d0a99f65db053403f42 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1369-6513 1369-7625 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:59:15Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Expectations |
| spelling | doaj.art-955ec3d2058d4d0a99f65db053403f422024-02-24T07:00:38ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252024-02-01271n/an/a10.1111/hex.13962‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist useTom Lynch0Cristín Ryan1Christy Huff2D. E. Foster3Cathal Cadogan4School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences Royal College of Surgeons Dublin IrelandSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Trinity College Dublin Dublin IrelandBenzodiazepine Information Coalition Midvale Utah USABenzodiazepine Action Work Group Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Aurora Colorado USASchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Trinity College Dublin Dublin IrelandAbstract Background Many individuals worldwide continue to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) long term (≥3 months). The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the views and experiences of discontinuing long‐term BZRA use as documented in the free‐text responses of respondents to an online questionnaire examining mediators of behaviour change relating to the discontinuation of long‐term BZRA use. Design The questionnaire was disseminated via online BZRA support groups to community‐based adults with either current or previous experience of long‐term BZRA use. The four free‐text questions focused on (1) barriers and (2) facilitators to discontinuing BZRA use; (3) additional supports required to discontinue BZRA use; and (4) additional comments regarding BZRA use. Response data were analysed using summative content analysis. Results The most commonly reported barrier to BZRA discontinuation related to the consequences of stopping the medication, including withdrawal symptoms and the possibility of return of the original symptoms. The most common facilitator that respondents reported would help them in discontinuing BZRA use was support, primarily from medical professionals. Many respondents reported having been harmed or negatively affected in some way because of BZRA use. Several respondents expressed regret over ever taking BZRAs and/or reported that, with the benefit of hindsight, they should never have taken BZRAs in the first instance. Conclusion The findings highlight the range of barriers faced by those attempting BZRA discontinuation and the importance of additional supports. Holistic and person‐centred approaches are needed to support discontinuation of long‐term BZRA use that considers an individual's personal circumstances and wider social context. Patient or Public Contribution ‘Experts by experience’ with previous experience of long‐term BZRA use were involved in developing the questionnaire and writing the manuscript as collaborators. Individuals with lived experience of taking BZRAs completed the questionnaire.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13962benzodiazepinesbehaviourdiscontinuationquestionnaireZ‐drugs |
| spellingShingle | Tom Lynch Cristín Ryan Christy Huff D. E. Foster Cathal Cadogan ‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use Health Expectations benzodiazepines behaviour discontinuation questionnaire Z‐drugs |
| title | ‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use |
| title_full | ‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use |
| title_fullStr | ‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use |
| title_full_unstemmed | ‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use |
| title_short | ‘We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …’: A content analysis of free‐text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long‐term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use |
| title_sort | we need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering a content analysis of free text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use |
| topic | benzodiazepines behaviour discontinuation questionnaire Z‐drugs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13962 |
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