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Benzodiazepine Abuse Treatment Admissions Have Tripled From 1998 to 2008

A new national study shows that from 1998 to 2008 (the most recent year with available figures) substance abuse treatment admissions among those 12 and older related to the abuse of benzodiazepine drugs rose from 22,400 in 1998 to approximately 60,200 in 2008.  The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that while benzodiazepine related admissions represented only 3.2% of all substance abuse admissions among this population in 2008, it had grown from the 1.3% it represented in 1998.
 
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs introduced in the late 1950s to replace barbiturates in treating anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders. Although they can provide effective treatment for these conditions benzodiazepines can be abused and this abuse can lead to dependency, injury, and even death.
 
The study shows that the majority of benzodiazepine-related admissions involved White, non-Hispanics (84.8%). Most admissions also involved males (56%) and those between the ages of 18 and 34 (55.3%).  
 
The vast majority of benzodiazepine related admissions involved the abuse of another substance (95%) and in 82.1% of these cases, benzodiazepines were the secondary drug of abuse.  Overall opiates were the primary substance in most of thesecases (54.2%)—a pattern which roughly held true for nearly every age group except adolescents and those aged 45 and older. Among adolescents, marijuana was by far the most frequently reported primary substance of abuse used with benzodiazepines, while among those aged 45 and older alcohol as a primary substance of abuse rivaled opiates (42.1% for alcohol vs. 47.1% for opiates).
 
“The misuse of benzodiazepines along with other prescription drugs is fueling the rise of treatment admissions,” says SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, JD.  “Prescription drug misuse is dangerous and can even be deadly.  Everyone has a role to play in helping to prevent prescription drug misuse. Simple steps such as locking up medications and proper disposal of unused medications are easy ways people can contribute to reducing the problem.”

— Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration