The use of benzodiazepines among regular amphetamine users

Abstract

The relationship between benzodiazepine and regular amphetamine use was examined in a sample of 301 regular amphetamine users. Benzodiazepine use was widespread, with 37% of subjects having used them in the month preceding interview, and 55% in the preceding 6 months. Injectors of amphetamines were more likely to have ever used, and to be currently using, benzodiazepines. Comparisons of benzodiazepine users with other subjects indicated that benzodiazepine users had higher levels of polydrug use and psychopathology, as well as poorer health and social functioning than non-users. The odds of benzodiazepine using injectors having injected with a borrowed used needle in the preceding month were 3.8 times of those of non-benzodiazepine-using injectors. These results are consistent with studies of other groups of illicit drug users, such as heroin users, in indicating that benzodiazepine use is associated with greater levels of risk and psycho-social dysfunction.

Drug misuse and acquisitive crime among clients recruited to the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS)

“…The difference in frequency of benzodiazepine use between this group and those who had not committed an offence was modest, and the relationship between these drugs and crime is unclear. However, there is evidence of an association with crime when benzodiazepines are used in conjunction with other drugs (Hammersley and Morrison, 1987;Klee et al, 1990;Darke et al, 1994), and perhaps this serves as an indicator of the more general influence of poly-drug use on criminal behaviour.…”

Benzodiazepine self-administration in humans and laboratory animals - implications for problems of long-term use and abuse

“…Clinical observations of the illicit drug culture indicate that, like barbiturates that preceded them, benzodiazepines are most frequently abused via the oral route by polydrug abusers and alcoholics (Mitchelson et al 1970;Smith and Marks 1985;Wolf et al 1990;Strang et al 1993). Benzodiazepines are frequently, although not exclusively, abused in combination with other drugs rather than as a primary drug of abuse (Smith and Marks 1985;San et al 1993b;Strang et al 1993;Darke et al 1994). A recurring observation, which has been supported by several surveys, has been the relatively high rate of abuse of benzodiazepines by heroin abusers and methadone maintenance patients (Barnas et al 1992b;Iguchi et al 1993;Strang et al 1993;Darke et al 1995;Busto et al 1996a;Williams et al 1996).…”

Exploring Benzodiazepine Use Among Houston Arrestees

“…1% was nearly a threefold increase from the 1994 rate of 4.8%. Despite this proliferation, few empirical works have fo cused on benzodiazepine use within the past two decades (Elsohly & Salamone 1999;Makkai & Mami 1999;Rickert, Ya coubian et al Wiemann & Berenson 1999;Hammersley & Pearl 1997;Calhoun et al 1996;Darke, Ross & Cohen 1994;Forsyth et al 1993;Ralston & Taylor 1993;DuPont 1988;Budd 1981;Budd et al 1979).…”

“…Though suffe ring from several methodological limitations, the study represents the earliest effort to ex plore benzodiazepine use, with an objective measure of drug use, among a sample of individuals under criminal justice supervision. Darke, Ross & Cohen ( 1994) examined the prevalence of benzodiazepine use among a sample of 301 amphetamine users in Sydney, Australia in 1993. A structured interview was administered to capture information on drug use his tory, sexual risk taking, social functioning, criminal behavior, and health and psychological functioning.…”