Abstract
Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are commonly prescribed for insomnia and anxiety syndromes and there is increasing concern regarding their misuse. Using an internet-based questionnaire we found that of 1500 respondents 7.7% (n = 116) had misused one or more of these medications. Almost 15% of those misusing at least one of these drugs did so once weekly or more often. The main reasons reported for their use were to help sleep (66.4%), to cope with stress (37.1%) and/or to get high (31.0%). A total of 31% obtained the medications from multiple sources; healthcare professionals (55.2%) and friends/family (39.7%) most commonly. Our study can be used to inform prevention measures for their misuse.
Royal College of Psychiatrists.
MeSH terms
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Acetamides / administration & dosage
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Acetamides / therapeutic use*
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Anxiety / drug therapy
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Azabicyclo Compounds / administration & dosage
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Azabicyclo Compounds / therapeutic use*
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Benzodiazepines / administration & dosage
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Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use*
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Female
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Humans
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Piperazines / administration & dosage
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Piperazines / therapeutic use*
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Prescription Drug Misuse / statistics & numerical data*
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Pyridines / administration & dosage
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Pyridines / therapeutic use*
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Pyrimidines / administration & dosage
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Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
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Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / drug therapy
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Surveys and Questionnaires
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Young Adult
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Zolpidem
Substances
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Acetamides
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Azabicyclo Compounds
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Hypnotics and Sedatives
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Piperazines
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Pyridines
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Pyrimidines
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zopiclone
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Benzodiazepines
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Zolpidem
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zaleplon