Critical review of liability for benzodiazepine abuse among alcoholics.

The authors critically reviewed the literature on benzodiazepine use among alcoholics, psychiatric patients, and the general population to determine whether alcoholics have a greater liability for benzodiazepine abuse. Data suggest that the prevalence of benzodiazepine use among alcoholics is greater than in the general population but comparable to the prevalence in psychiatric patients. The liability for abuse may also be greater for alcoholics, but the substantial methodologic deficiencies of existing studies preclude such a conclusion. Given the frequency of anxiety disorders and benzodiazepine use among alcoholics, their potential for benzodiazepine abuse is an important issue. The authors discuss clinical guidelines and strategies for future research.