Chronic use of benzodiazepines: The problem that persists

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Clinical guidelines and policies recommend against the chronic use of benzodiazepines.
• Despite recommendations, benzodiazepine prescribing rates are rising in the United States.
• An estimated 65.9 million office visits annually involve benzodiazepine prescribing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the discrepancy between benzodiazepine prescribing guidelines and actual clinical practice.
• To argue that current policies are out of step with the reality of benzodiazepine use in modern medicine.
• To propose updated guidelines that incorporate harm reduction principles.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of current prescribing trends.
• Examination of factors contributing to the gap between guidelines and practice.
• Application of lessons learned from the opioid epidemic to benzodiazepine management.

Main Results:

• Both patients and healthcare providers share some responsibility for increased prescribing.
• Benzodiazepines are deeply integrated into contemporary medical practice.
• Existing guidelines do not adequately address the clinical reality of benzodiazepine use.

Conclusions:

• Current benzodiazepine prescribing guidelines require revision to align with clinical practice.
• Harm reduction strategies and lessons from the opioid crisis should inform new approaches.
• Updated guidelines are crucial for physicians managing the widespread issue of benzodiazepine prescribing.