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Nonmedical benzodiazepine use in adults with alcohol use disorder: The role of anxiety sensitivity and polysubstance use
Author(s) -
McHugh R. Kathryn,
Geyer Rachel,
Karakula Sterling,
Griffin Margaret L.,
Weiss Roger D.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.12765
Subject(s) - polysubstance dependence , benzodiazepine , anxiety , psychiatry , medicine , anxiety sensitivity , anxiety disorder , alcohol use disorder , logistic regression , generalized anxiety disorder , clinical psychology , psychology , substance abuse , alcohol , biochemistry , chemistry , receptor
Background and Objectives The nonmedical use of benzodiazepines—defined as use without a prescription or at a dose or frequency higher than prescribed—is increasing among adults in substance use disorder treatment and is associated with risk for overdose. The aim of the current study was to characterize the prevalence of nonmedical benzodiazepine use among adults seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder and to examine whether nonmedical benzodiazepine use was associated with: (1) polysubstance use and (2) greater anxiety sensitivity. Methods A sample of 461 treatment‐seeking adults with alcohol use disorder who were recruited for a cross‐sectional study were included in this analysis. Results A total of 89 participants (19%) reported nonmedical benzodiazepine use in the previous 30 days. Results of a logistic regression indicated that polysubstance use (number of substances used in the past month) was associated with nonmedical benzodiazepine use. The association between anxiety sensitivity and nonmedical benzodiazepine misuse was moderated by gender; anxiety sensitivity was associated with benzodiazepine use among women, but not men. Discussion and Conclusions These results replicate findings from research on opioid use disorder suggesting that anxiety sensitivity is associated with nonmedical benzodiazepine use in women and not men. Scientific Significance Targeted intervention to those with polysubstance use—including education on overdose risk when benzodiazepines are combined with other substances—is indicated in men and women with alcohol use disorder. Anxiety sensitivity may be a potential therapeutic target to reduce nonmedical benzodiazepine use among women with alcohol use disorder. (Am J Addict 2018;27:485–490)