A new study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration learns that admissions to substance abuse treatment centers for benzodiazepine abuse increased from 22,4000 in 1998 to approximately 60,200 ten years later in 2008. This study comes at a time when the United States is experiencing a disturbing increase in prescription drug abuse, which is contributing to a drain on physical health, emotional health and many deaths across the country. Benzodiazepines were introduced in the late 1950s and are prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia and other disorders. When benzodiazepines are abused, the results can often be deadly.
"The misuse of benzodiazepines along with other prescription drugs is fueling the rise of treatment admissions," said Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "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."
The majority of admissions to substance abuse treatment centers that were connected to "benzos" involved the use of another substance. In 82 percent of these instances, benzodiazepines were the secondary
drug of abuse.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration study, the majority of admissions to substance abuse treatment centers for benzodiazepine addiction involved white, non-Hispanics. There was also a substantial amount of men and people between the ages of 18 and 34 that were admitted to substance abuse treatment centers for
benzodiazepine addiction.
