Year: 1984 Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, v.141, no.12, (December 1984), p.1580-1582 SIEC No: 19850918

The authors studied 50 of 55 patients orginally hospitalized for primary sedative-hypnotic dependence 4-6 years after hospital discharge. 42 (84%) had resumed use, 26 (52%) were abusing drugs at follow-up & 21 (42%) had been readmitted for drug abuse. 3 patients experienced delirious states & 6 experienced epileptic seizures associated with withdrawal. Physical signs of alcoholism had developed in 11 (22%);4 (8%) had committed suicide. Social deterioration was noted in 24 patients.