Alcohol consumption among Canadians taking benzodiazepines and related drugs

Abstract

Heavy alcohol use is uncommon among users of BZDs, and the combination of alcohol and BZD use is rare in the general population. Differences between BZD users and others are not large when other factors are taken into account, however, which may call into question the effectiveness of physician and pharmacist warnings against this combination. People treated for an anxiety disorder with BZDs may be less likely to use alcohol than those taking them for other indications.

Concurrent use of alcohol interactive medications and alcohol in older adults: a systematic review of prevalence and associated adverse outcomes

“…Ten of the included studies were conducted in Europe [14, 19, 21–23, 25, 27–29, 36], eight in North America [18, 20, 24, 30–32, 34, 35] and two in Australia [26, 33]. (Table 1) All studies were cross-sectional [14, 18–36].…”

“…(Table 1) All studies were cross-sectional [14, 18–36]. Study settings varied across studies with; community-dwelling [14, 19, 21–27, 31, 34–36], both community dwelling or living independently in care facilities [32], general populations [20, 28, 33], hospital setting [29], retirement communities [18] and participants signed up to a pharmaceutical assistance contract for the elderly [30] reported.…”

“…Minor: limited clinical effectsQuantity-frequency last 3 months:Non-regular drinkers: (none or <1 drink/week)Light –regular: (≥ 1 drink/week & 1 drink/day)Heavy-regular: (≥ 1 drink/week & 2-3 drinks/day)Binge-regular: (≥ 1 drink/week & ≥4 drinks/day)Sheahan 1995 [32]US, community dwelling & independent living congregate care facility older residents≥ 55 years N =102826.9% men73.5 (± 9.47 years)NRCross sectional (In house interviews & medication container labels)Psychotropic medications in past year: sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics/tranquilizers, antidepressants & prescription pain medicationsFrequency, past year. Average number of times/week; month or year consumed alcohol.Number of drinking days in past year calculatedVeldhuizen 2009 [34]Canada, community dwelling ≥ 15 yearsNR≥15 years: N =36,98449% menNCross sectional study (Survey with interview, medication containers)Use of benzodiazepines (N03AE, N05BA and N05CD), non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (zopiclone, eszopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon) during past 2 days among those who reported use in past 12 monthsQuantity-frequency on each of the previous 7 days among those drinking in past year: No drinking, moderate & heavy drinking (>14 drinks/week for men/ >9 drinks/week for women) or binge drinking (>4 drinks/day for women or 5 drinks/day for men)1 drink= 1 bottle or can of beer/ glass of draft, 1 glass of wine/cooler or 1 ½ oz of liquorWong 2016 [35]America, community dwelling older adults N =244433% men76.84 (±8.13 years)Range: 60-103 yearsCross sectional (Face to face interviews)Prescriptions and OTC medications taken daily. Number of medications: low ≤ 1, moderate 2-4 & high ≥5Quantity-frequencyAbstainers: no to alcohol & 0 drinkers/month, Light: yes to alcohol & <29 drinks/month, Moderate: yes to alcohol & 30 drinks/month, Heavy: yes to alcohol & >31 drinks/month1 drink= 14g of alcohol …”

Motives and Simultaneous Sedative-Alcohol Use among Past 12-month Alcohol and Nonmedical Sedative Users

“…Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the motives associated with past 12-month SSAU, adjusting for other covariates (age, gender, ethnicity, and education), selected based on prior literature suggesting their association with sedative misuse/combined use of sedatives and alcohol (18,19). Furthermore, it is possible that individuals may also have combined sedatives with other drugs.…”

Interaction between Psychotropic Medications and Alcohol: Perceptions among Patients Attending an Adult Mental Health Day Hospital Program

“…Although literature about the interactions between psychotropic medications and alcohol in Canada is sparse, one Canadian study reported the prevalence of heavy alcohol consumption among benzodiazepine users in the previous week as 7.2%; current benzodiazepine users were less likely than non-current users to have recently consumed any alcohol. 9 Psychotropic medications are often prescribed for long-term treatment of chronic mental health conditions; as such, it is important for patients to understand the serious negative consequences and risks that may result from alcohol-drug interactions. Health care professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, may give patients information related to their medications.…”