Benzodiazepine misuse among adults receiving psychiatric treatment

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research Vol. 128; pp. 33 - 37
• Main Authors: McHugh, R. Kathryn, Peckham, Andrew D., Björgvinsson, Thröstur, Korte, Francesca M., Beard, Courtney
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; Benzodiazepines; Benzodiazepines - adverse effects; Humans; Prescription Drug Misuse; Prevalence; Psychotherapy; Substance misuse; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Prescription drug misuse; Anxiety; Substance misuse; Benzodiazepines
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.05.020

Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications and have the potential for misuse. People with psychiatric disorders may have a heightened liability to the reinforcing effects of benzodiazepines. Yet, the prevalence of benzodiazepine misuse in psychiatric care settings is not well characterized. The aim of the current study was to characterize the prevalence and correlates of benzodiazepine misuse in a sample of adults receiving psychiatric treatment (N = 589). The majority of participants reported a lifetime history of benzodiazepine prescription (68%) and 26% reported a lifetime history of misuse (defined as use without a prescription or at a dose or frequency higher than prescribed). Multivariable analyses indicated that history of a benzodiazepine prescription and drug use problems were significantly associated with lifetime benzodiazepine misuse. People with a history of benzodiazepine prescription had four times higher odds of misusing benzodiazepines and the primary source of misused benzodiazepines was from family or friends. Results suggest that benzodiazepine misuse is not exclusive to substance use disorder populations. The misuse of benzodiazepines should be assessed in psychiatric settings. Further research is needed to understand the impact of benzodiazepine misuse in this population and to develop tools to identify those at risk for misuse. •26% of people receiving acute psychiatric care reported lifetime benzodiazepine misuse.•History of benzodiazepine prescription was associated with misuse.•Other substance problems were associated with misuse.•Most people who misused did so to cope with psychiatric symptoms.•However, anxiety and depression symptoms were not significantly associated with misuse.