ADDICTION TO BENZODIAZEPINES

Benzodiazepines are sedative hypnotic medications that can induce a st ate of dependence. Dependence however is not the same as addiction. Th e development of dependence is a predictable phenomenon, influenced by dose, duration of treatment, and a number of other factors including individual characteristics of the benzodiazepine user. It is unclear w hether there are meaningful differences among benzodiazepines in produ cing a state of dependence. Benzodiazepine dependence is also characte rized by a predictable discontinuation syndrome. Benzodiazepines are r arely abused by non-substance abusers. The regulation of benzodiazepin es although the legitimate therapeutic use has been significantly redu ced.