Use of anticonvulsants in benzodiazepine withdrawal

The problem of dependence on benzodiazepines has been aggravated by iatrogenic physiologic dependence on these medications and by polysubstance abusing patients using them in addition to other agents. A safe, rapid, and effective way to detoxify patients from benzodiazepines is of prime importance to facilitate further treatment of their psychiatric or substance use disorder. Patients withdrawing from these agents may experience physiologic withdrawal, rebound, and recurrence. In this paper the authors review the typical syndrome associated with withdrawal from benzodiazepines and discuss treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal using carbamazepine and valproate.