Benzodiazepine Dependence

TIPS -jurte 1994 [Vol. 151

Tranquil decline Benzadiazepine

Dependence

edited by C. Hnllstriinr, Oxford Me&d hr6licatiom, 1993. GO.00 (xix + 372 ptrges) ISBN 0 19 262094 0 More

than three decades have elapsed since benzodiazepines were first introduced into chnical practrce. While the halcyon days of benzodiazepine use are over, these compounds remain widely (and appropriately) used as anxiosedatives or hypnotics, lytics, ant~convulsants, and muscle relaxants. However, aI5ng with the therapeutic benefits of benzo-

diazepines

is a dark side, and this

book discusses the medical, sociological, and economic consequences of benzodiazepine use and abuse. Some of the chapters might be considered wide of the mark, but

Sink or swim Postgraduate Study in the Biological Sciences: A Researcher’s Companion b!/ Robert I. Be!/,zon, Portlarrd Press, 1993. E9.50 hi + 751 pages) ISBN 2 85578 009 7 This is an excellent book. It stems from concern of the author that ‘so

it is likely that the editor intended this to be a comprehensive treatise by including chapters such as alternatives to ‘Psychological taking benzodiazepines’. The arrangement of materials in this book is puzzling, making it difficult to access much of the statistical and epidemiological data on benzodiazepine use and abuse. This latter information is largely restricted to benzodiazepine use in the UK, but would undoubtedly be useful in framing grant proposals and related documents. Two of the chapters in this book merit special Peter mention. Tyrer’s chapter entitled ‘Pharmacological differences in the depenpotential of benzodence diazepines’ should be required reading for junior doctors before they are inundated with claims from advertising and marketing departments of pharmaceutical

many

students are thrown in at the deep end’. As Beynon says in his preface, ‘there is more to science, and to a research project, than laboratory benchwork’. This book shows why, with chapters on developing experimental skills, conducting a research project, scientific writing, talking about your work, computers, safety,

companies that particular benzodiazepines have a lower abuse and/or dependence liability than another. Malcolm Lader gives an excellent historical perspective on tranquilizer use and dependence. There is also a chapter on pharmacological alternatives to benzodiazepine therapy. However, given the scope of this book, it is surprising that there is only a cursory treatment of the most recently discovered group of benzodiazepine receptor ligands, which exhibit subtype selectivity and/or mixed agonist-antagonist properties and may therefore have a reduced potential for abuse. In summary, although this book is too specialized to be a general textbook for pharmacologists, the amount of valuable information accessible in a single, concise volume could make it a prudent purchase for a larger departmental library. l’. SXOLNICK

teaching and, finally, moving on. Although written from Beynon’s own perspective as a biochemist, the principles are universally applicable. In some respects, this book is unfashionably traditional. It used to be widely held that the Phi2 degree reflected, in essence, the completion of a research training.