Effectiveness of a Community Intervention in the Chronic Use of Benzodiazepines: (BENZOSTOPJUNTOS)

Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Intervention in the Reduction of Benzodiazepine Prescriptions: A Cluster Controlled Trial

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive, multicomponent intervention utilizing education and support for Benzodiazepines withdrawal compared to standard care.

The excessive use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) presents significant health concerns and high healthcare costs, particularly in Spain, where usage rates are among the highest globally. In Andalusian, over a 10% of the population use BZDs long-term, prompting the need for safe and effective reduction strategies.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive, multicomponent intervention utilizing education and support for BZD withdrawal compared to standard care.

The intervention involved educational discussions, consultations with health professionals, and letters supported by multiple scientific societies.

Inclusion Criteria:

• users of health centre's with more than 4 weeks of benzodiazepines use.
• users of health centre's over 18 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

• users of health centre's with mental disorder.
• users of health centre's terminal.
• users of health centre's with alcohol dependence.
• users of health centre's with dementia.
• users of health centre's who had intellectual disabilities.
• users of health centre's unable to cooperate with the questionnaires.