Benzodiazepine abuse and management of anxiety in the community

Medication is largely inappropriate in the management of anxiety, and benzodiazepines are not apparently effective in the minor affective disorders commonly seen in general practice (Catalan and Gath, 1985). Enough has been said to indicate that other measures are likely to be more helpful and to reduce the tendency to prescribe benzodiazepines. The taking of these drugs threatens to become epidemic and while medical agencies are by no means the only sources, sensible prescribing will go--and may already have gone, as the DHSS (1986) figures suggest--some way toward limiting consumption of these drugs. The DHSS needs to record more specific data relating to benzodiazepine use and abuse. Comparative trials of benzodiazepines and alternative non-benzodiazepine methods of anxiety management need to be set up as matter of urgency. The (no doubt) false impression that the pharmaceutical industry is dragging its feet in planning and sponsoring such trials should be speedily dispelled. Benzodiazepine prescribing, if it increases, may well in itself become a major danger to public health.