Telepsychology for Benzodiazepines Withdrawal in Adults Suffering From Hypnotic-dependent Insomnia

Benzodiazepines and related drugs (BZDs) are effective for insomnia and anxiety in the short term. After few months (four weeks regarding insomnia), the benefit/risk ratio is considerably reduced. Nevertheless, between 2 and 5% of the general population uses them for more than 6 months. Prescribing recommendations are unanimous concerning the short-term use of these substances, but do not specify the optimal ways of reducing doses in a withdrawal programme.

Many factors influence the success of withdrawal, including the duration of withdrawal (how quickly doses are reduced), the half-life of the substance, and number of psychological factors. Studies on BZD withdrawal show that, on average, spontaneous cessation of treatment is 5-10%, withdrawal success is 30-40% following brief intervention and 60-80% following Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy (CBT). These are few, and only one study has tested the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for benzodiazepine withdrawal. ACT is a contextual behavioral therapy which aims to increase acceptance of the full range of inner experiences including negative thoughts, emotions and sensations, in order to promote values-driven behavior change, leading to an improved quality of life. ACT is notably effective for the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, psychosis and chronic pain, and some studies have shown the effectiveness of ACT for insomnia.

This study is a four-arms randomized controlled intervention which aims to evaluate the addition to a taper program of an ACT intervention versus a psychological support on one hand, and the duration of withdrawal on the other hand, in patients suffering from hypnotic-dependent insomnia. The entire protocol will be remotely delivered, which no randomized controlled trial has so far evaluated for benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Inclusion criteria

• French speaker
• Had benzodiazepines and related drugs prescribed to improving sleep, for a minimum of 4 nights per week and for at least 6 months
• Pathological Benzodiazepine Dependence Questionnaire (BDEPQ) score (>34).
• Motivated to stop hypnotic treatment (score >5 on a 1 to 10 degrees VAS)
• Subjective complaints of difficulties initiating and/or maintaining sleep for a minimum of 3 nights per week and for at least 6 months, and 4) presence of marked distress or impaired daytime functioning (fatigue, impaired attention and/or concentration). Because hypnotic medications may mask an underlying insomnia problem, participants should meet these criteria either currently (while taking medication) or after previous attempts to discontinue the medication. These criteria are consistent with those for primary insomnia and hypnotic-dependent insomnia.
• Present the diagnoses of insomnia (307.42) and sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic use disorder (304.10) from the DSM V.
• Having e-literacy (being familiar with emails, videoconferencing, online questionnaires and Internet use)

Exclusion criteria

• In acute treatment for psychological or psychiatric problems (e.g., current participation in psychotherapy)
• Be participating in a tapering BZD protocol, or similar
• Currently receiving an active prescription for any antipsychotic medication
• Using non-BZRA sedative-hypnotics for treating insomnia or related sleep problems (e.g., trazodone, quetiapine, tricyclic antidepressant, mirtazapine, diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate)
• Met criteria for a substance use disorder in the last six months (other than nicotine and hypnotics)
• Use of alcohol or cannabis 3 or more nights a week for sleep problems
• Drinking more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day
• Presence of another untreated sleep disorder (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea or periodic limb movements during sleep)
• Presence of major depression or other severe unstabilized psychopathology (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychosis, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• Had a history of psychosis
• Currently suicidal
• Current crisis or with an illness for which the benzodiazepine were required at the time (e.g. acute pain)
• Presence of terminal illness (e.g. cancer, receiving palliative care)
• Unstable cardiovascular, respiratory or endocrinological diseases (clinical interview)
• Had a history of severe cognitive impairment, dementia, seizure disorder (epilepsy either in themselves or in their family), spinal injury
• Pregnant or lactating