The benzodiazepines--use and abuse.

The benzodiazepines, discovered and developed during the past 20 years, have become one of the most widely used group of drugs in the world at the present, some have suggested too widely used. The extent of therapeutic use is examined relative to the incidence of disorders associated with anxiety and it is concluded that, in general, the benzodiazepines are used conservatively by doctors rather than overused, and that their current consumption is not excessive relative to the level of emotional morbidity in the community. However, as with all psychoactive substances, dependence, both psychological and physical, can occur. This is of the alcohol-barbiturate type, though of less severity. The incidence of dependence under both therapeutic and abuse circumstance is quantified and found to be very low. The social significance of this level of dependence is examined relative to both the overall reliance of society on pleasure-giving activities, and the puritan ethics still applicable to mental illnesses. Conclusions are drawn about appropriate action that might be taken to reduce dependence.