2019
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13959
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Nonmedical use of alprazolam in the UK: Results from a nationally representative survey

Abstract: There is concern in the UK about nonmedical use (NMU) of alprazolam (Xanax). We investigated the epidemiology of alprazolam NMU compared with diazepam using data from the Survey of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs (NMURx) programme (collected 28 September-1 December 2017). The survey included 10 019 respondents and was weighted by age, sex and region to represent 52 927 659 UK adults. The estimated national prevalence of lifetime NMU of alprazolam was 0.32% (95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.46), and 1.30% … Show more

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Cited by 10 publications
(8 citation statements)
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“…This complements research published by McNamara et al on the increased use of these benzodiazepines in vulnerable populations in Ireland ( Mc Namara et al, 2019 ), a trend which has also emerged on a global scale ( Nielsen and McAuley, 2020 ). The lower number of deaths involving other NPS anxiolytic/sedatives may – like the established stimulants – be a case of anxiolytic/sedative NPS use being displaced by increasingly available MDA controlled benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam ( Hockenhull et al, 2019 ) and indeed etizolam itself – the latter both prior to and after its control under the MDA in May 2017.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This complements research published by McNamara et al on the increased use of these benzodiazepines in vulnerable populations in Ireland ( Mc Namara et al, 2019 ), a trend which has also emerged on a global scale ( Nielsen and McAuley, 2020 ). The lower number of deaths involving other NPS anxiolytic/sedatives may – like the established stimulants – be a case of anxiolytic/sedative NPS use being displaced by increasingly available MDA controlled benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam ( Hockenhull et al, 2019 ) and indeed etizolam itself – the latter both prior to and after its control under the MDA in May 2017.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…19,28 Additionally, young adults are exposed to pop culture with content that is open about taking drugs to self-medicate mental health issues, particularly alprazolam, so may be normalised to NMU of benzodiazepines. 29 The prevalence of last 12-month NMU of both only benzodiazepines and only Z-drugs were higher among those who had also used illicit drugs in the last 12 months than the general population. This pattern has also been seen in people with substance use disorders in the USA, with rates of benzodiazepine misuse 3.5-24 times higher than the general population.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 89%
“…It is recognised that young adults are more likely to misuse illicit and prescription drugs in general 19,28 . Additionally, young adults are exposed to pop culture with content that is open about taking drugs to self‐medicate mental health issues, particularly alprazolam, so may be normalised to NMU of benzodiazepines 29 …”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…However, in the UK context, some limited information is available. Hockenhull et al (2019) suggest that the estimated national prevalence rate for UK adults for non-medical use (NMU) of alprazolam was 0.08 (range 0.01–0.15)% with no statistically significant difference ( p = 0.898) between males and females. NMU rates in the last 90 days were higher amongst those aged 16–24 (0.37%) compared to those aged 25–34 (0.14%) and those aged 35 or more (0.01%), p < 0.001.…”
Section: Recreational Use In the Ukmentioning
confidence: 98%