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. 1988 Jan 23;296(6617):251-4.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.296.6617.251.

Development of long term use of psychotropic drugs by general practice patients

A Mant  1 , P Duncan-Jones, D Saltman, C Bridges-Webb, L Kehoe, G Lansbury, A H Chancellor
Affiliations

Development of long term use of psychotropic drugs by general practice patients

A Mant et al. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). .

Abstract

From 1984 to 1986 a prospective study was conducted of 104 general practice patients who started treatment with a benzodiazepine or an antidepressant drug. The duration of reported use of the drugs was two months for 45% of patients, four months for 17% of patients, and six months for 15%. Type of drug, age, and level of education were found to be predictive of continuing use. General practitioners have a significant effect on their patients' use of drugs and, with careful selection and review when prescribing, may help to prevent dependence on psychotropic drugs.

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