Donovan T Maust1, Lewei A Lin1, Frederic C Blow1. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Center for Clinical Management Research, Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Goals were to determine the prevalence of benzodiazepine use (as prescribed and misuse), characterize misuse, and examine variation by age. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 2015 and 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data limited to adults ≥18 (N=86,186) and data from those respondents reporting benzodiazepine use (N=10,290). Measurements included past-year prescription benzodiazepine use and misuse ("any way a doctor did not direct"), substance use disorders, mental illness, and demographic characteristics. Misuse was compared between younger (18-49) and older (≥50) adults. RESULTS: A total of 30.6 million adults (12.6%) reported past-year benzodiazepine use-25.3 million (10.4%) as prescribed and 5.3 million (2.2%) misuse. Misuse accounted for 17.2% of overall use. Adults ages 50-64 had the highest prescribed use (12.9%). Those ages 18-25 had the highest misuse (5.2%), and those ages ≥65 had the lowest (.6%). Misuse and abuse of or dependence on prescription opioids or stimulants were strongly associated with benzodiazepine misuse. Benzodiazepine misuse without a prescription was the most common type of misuse, and a friend or relative was the most common source. Adults ages ≥50 were more likely than younger adults to use a benzodiazepine more often than prescribed and to use a benzodiazepine to help with sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Benzodiazepine use among U.S. adults was higher than previously reported, and misuse accounted for nearly 20% of use overall. Use by adults ages 50-64 now exceeds use by those ages ≥65. Patients also prescribed stimulants or opioids should be monitored for benzodiazepine misuse. Improved access to behavioral interventions for sleep or anxiety may reduce some misuse.
OBJECTIVE: Goals were to determine the prevalence of benzodiazepine use (as prescribed and misuse), characterize misuse, and examine variation by age. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of 2015 and 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data limited to adults ≥18 (N=86,186) and data from those respondents reporting benzodiazepine use (N=10,290). Measurements included past-year prescription benzodiazepine use and misuse ("any way a doctor did not direct"), substance use disorders, mental illness, and demographic characteristics. Misuse was compared between younger (18-49) and older (≥50) adults. RESULTS: A total of 30.6 million adults (12.6%) reported past-year benzodiazepine use-25.3 million (10.4%) as prescribed and 5.3 million (2.2%) misuse. Misuse accounted for 17.2% of overall use. Adults ages 50-64 had the highest prescribed use (12.9%). Those ages 18-25 had the highest misuse (5.2%), and those ages ≥65 had the lowest (.6%). Misuse and abuse of or dependence on prescription opioids or stimulants were strongly associated with benzodiazepine misuse. Benzodiazepine misuse without a prescription was the most common type of misuse, and a friend or relative was the most common source. Adults ages ≥50 were more likely than younger adults to use a benzodiazepine more often than prescribed and to use a benzodiazepine to help with sleep. CONCLUSIONS:Benzodiazepine use among U.S. adults was higher than previously reported, and misuse accounted for nearly 20% of use overall. Use by adults ages 50-64 now exceeds use by those ages ≥65. Patients also prescribed stimulants or opioids should be monitored for benzodiazepine misuse. Improved access to behavioral interventions for sleep or anxiety may reduce some misuse.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alcohol and drug abuse; Benzodiazepines; Geriatric psychiatry
Authors: Marion S Greene; Robert Andrew Chambers; Constantin T Yiannoutsos; Eric R Wright; Gregory K Steele; Terrell W Zollinger Journal: Am J Addict Date: 2017-11-16
Authors: David S Baldwin; Ian M Anderson; David J Nutt; Christer Allgulander; Borwin Bandelow; Johan A den Boer; David M Christmas; Simon Davies; Naomi Fineberg; Nicky Lidbetter; Andrea Malizia; Paul McCrone; Daniel Nabarro; Catherine O'Neill; Jan Scott; Nic van der Wee; Hans-Ulrich Wittchen Journal: J Psychopharmacol Date: 2014-04-08 Impact factor: 4.153
Authors: Jacob C Cogan; Rohit R Raghunathan; Melissa P Beauchemin; Melissa K Accordino; Elena B Elkin; Alexander Melamed; Jason D Wright; Dawn L Hershman Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2021-06-04 Impact factor: 4.872
Authors: Eric P Borrelli; Blake Morphis; Rouba Youssef; Laura C Chambers; Benjamin D Hallowell; Jeffrey Bratberg; Stephen J Kogut Journal: R I Med J (2013) Date: 2020-10-01
Authors: Matthew E Hirschtritt; Vanessa A Palzes; Andrea H Kline-Simon; Kurt Kroenke; Cynthia I Campbell; Stacy A Sterling Journal: Am J Manag Care Date: 2019-12-01 Impact factor: 2.229
Authors: Jason D Wright; Jacob C Cogan; Yongmei Huang; Ana I Tergas; Caryn M St Clair; June Y Hou; Fady Khoury-Collado; Allison Gockley; Melissa Accordino; Alexander Melamed; Dawn L Hershman Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2021-06-01
Authors: Donovan T Maust; H Myra Kim; Ilse R Wiechers; Rosalinda V Ignacio; Amy S B Bohnert; Frederic C Blow Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2020-09-20 Impact factor: 5.562