Benzodiazepines: the time for systematic change is now

Citation

Robertson R, McAuley A & Matheson C (2021) Benzodiazepines: the time for systematic change is now. Addiction, 116 (8), pp. 2246-2247. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15488

Abstract
First paragraph: Schmitz has written an important and timely editorial which concerns itself with the risks of this widely used group of drugs and the, largely unsuccessful, strategies to reduce consumption. Prescribers and authors of guidelines from UK Royal Colleges and Government acknowledge the challenge of responding helpfully for a solution to anxiety, stress, sleeplessness and dependency and the risks of causing harm. One of the many paradoxes for prescribers is the subjective evidence of the benefits of these drugs set against the warnings, and sometimes threats, of supplying an inappropriate treatment.

Keywords
benzodiazepines; clinical; drug deaths

Journal
Addiction: Volume 116, Issue 8

• Accepted manuscript