Benzodiazepines are used for several problems seen in the primary care office.
Chronic users are often older, medically ill, and with multiple needs.
These are often used by abusers of narcotics. Focusing on the treatment of the primary problem usually results in the secondary condition to be treated as well. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be life threatening. Substitution schedule illustrating conversion doses for various benzodiazepines to phenobarbital which is then given t.i.d. was shown. Outpatient detox may be done with a prolonged taper of the benzodiazepine but this is very difficult to accomplish if the individual is addicted verses having drug dependence.