Patient experiences of benzodiazepine tapering: a qualitative study of treatment in addiction care.

BACKGROUND

Tapering by gradual dose reduction is a key component of treatment for individuals with addiction to benzodiazepines. Although many patients recover, treatment dropouts and relapses are common. Few studies have explored how benzodiazepine tapering is experienced from the patient perspective.

METHODS

This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 19 adults with addiction to benzodiazepines who were undergoing tapering treatment at a publicly funded outpatient addiction clinic. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Participants described benzodiazepine tapering in addiction care as a process marked by substantial variations in experiences and perceived difficulty. Three themes captured central aspects of how tapering was experienced: (1) Navigating motivation and involvement, (2) Replacing benzodiazepines with new coping strategies, and (3) Balancing support throughout treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an experiential perspective on benzodiazepine tapering in addiction care. The findings illustrate how motivation, coping strategies, and support are closely related to participants' experiences of discontinuation and treatment, highlighting the importance of tapering practices and interpersonal interactions for understanding engagement with treatment.