Factors leading to dependence on hypnotic drugs.

Patients in general practice complaining of insomnia of recent origin have been studied in order to ascertain which factors may be of value in the detection of those more susceptible to drug dependence. The type of sleep disturbance was found to be of importance and a personal disturbance scale was found useful as a screening test in two-thirds of the patients. No difference was found in the development of dependence on amylobarbitone and nitrazepam. One of the most important factors in the prevention of drug dependence seems to be frequent review by the doctor after the first prescription and his cautionary advice to the patient.