INTEGRATIVE COMMUNITY THERAPY AND WITHDRAWAL OF BENZODIAZEPINES: A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE

Introduction and purpose One of the problems faced in the practice of family doctor and community is the abuse of benzodiazepines. This group of drugs has an important role in the well being of patients, but its use without criteria causes tolerance and dependence, which leads to the person‘s resistance weaning and suspension of this class of drugs, especially if it is not offered any other replacement therapy. This study aimed to implement a psychological support device to the patient, based on integrative community therapy. Method The USF Alto do Moura is a primary healthcare from the periurban zone of the city Caruaru, which assists approximately 4000 people. It had a space of weekly, to which people could attend without scheduling to talk to their family doctors and community about their psychoactive medications and being attended individually later. In this space, a community therapy group was deployed, keeping individual care in sequence. Results and conclusions There was an increase in the weekly number of participants in the therapeutic space, including the emergence of people coming exclusively to community therapy group, voluntarily dismissing individual consult. Weaning and suspension of benzodiazepines in use, especially if started for insomnia and / or anxiety disorder, it became easier for patients and physicians. It concludes that the community therapy offers psychological support, offers space for listening and activates other patients potentialities to resolve their troubles, with an interesting strategy of empowering people and collaborating with the suspension of benzodiazepines.