Premium
The use of benzodiazepines among regular amphetamine users
Author(s) -
DARKE SHANE,
ROSS JOANNE,
COHEN JULIA
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1994.tb03769.x
Subject(s) - benzodiazepine , amphetamine , psychopathology , psychiatry , heroin , psychology , drug , medicine , clinical psychology , receptor , dopamine
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 those of non‐benzodiazepme‐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.