The nature and extent of benzodiazepine abuse: an overview of recent literature.

The author provides an overview of the literature on benzodiazepine abuse to define and assess the nature and extent of abuse. Researchers generally use four criteria for recognizing benzodiazepine abuse: taking the drug after the medical or psychiatric need has passed; taking the drug in amounts greater than those prescribed; taking the drug to get high; and taking the drug to further psychological regression. After reviewing the literature on each of these criteria, the author concludes that the overall incidence of benzodiazepine abuse is low, and that physicians can act to minimize its occurrence.