Cited by 117Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesOpioid Use Disorder TreatmentPharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes

Prevalence and correlates of benzodiazepine use, misuse, and use disorders among adults in the United States.

Open access
Blanco, Carlos, Han, Beth, Jones, Christopher M., Johnson, Kimberly, Compton, Wilson M.·2018·The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although benzodiazepine misuse and use disorders are associated with adverse health effects, it is unknown what proportion of benzodiazepine users misuse them or meet criteria for benzodiazepine use disorders. The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence and correlates of benzodiazepine use, misuse, and use disorders among US adults. METHODS: Data from 102,000 adults 18 years and older who participated in the 2015-2016 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health were used. IMS Health Total Patient Tracker data were also examined. Descriptive analyses and multinomial logistic regressions were applied. RESULTS: Among US adults in 2015-2016, 12.5% (annual average, 95% CI, 12.19%-12.81%) used benzodiazepines, 2.1% (95% CI, 2.03%-2.25%) misused benzodiazepines at least once, and 0.2% (95% CI, 0.15%-0.22%) had benzodiazepine use disorders. Among benzodiazepine users, 17.1% (95% CI, 16.30%-17.93%) misused benzodiazepines, and 1.5% (95% CI, 1.26%-1.72%) had benzodiazepine use disorders. Benzodiazepine use was associated with emergency room visits, suicidal ideation, use of most substances, and mental disorders. Benzodiazepine misuse without use disorders was associated with younger age, male sex, being black, poor educational attainment, being uninsured and unemployed, being single, having family income below $50,000, and having suicidal ideation and other specific substance use problems. Correlates of benzodiazepine use disorders were similar, but most correlates were associated with benzodiazepine use disorders more strongly than with misuse without use disorders. CONCLUSIONS: While benzodiazepine use is highly prevalent among US adults, benzodiazepine use disorders are relatively rare among benzodiazepine users. Our results help characterize benzodiazepine users and identify adults at risk for misuse and use disorders.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.4088/jcp.18m12174

Cites

34 of 34 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 29 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Approximately 0.2 million U.S. adults met criteria for benzodiazepine abuse (95% CI 0.13-0.21 million).

    “0.2 (95% CI=0.13–0.21) million for benzodiazepine abuse”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.
  • Findingown data

    In 2015-2016, 12.5% of U.S. adults used benzodiazepines (annual average, 95% CI 12.19-12.81).

    “Among U.S. adults in 2015–2016, 12.5% (annual average, 95% CI=12.19%–12.81%) used benzodiazepines”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.
  • Findingown data

    In 2015-2016, 0.19% of U.S. adults had a benzodiazepine use disorder (95% CI 0.15-0.22).

    “0.19% (95% CI=0.15%–0.22%) had a benzodiazepine use disorder”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.
  • Findingown data

    In 2015-2016, 2.1% of U.S. adults misused benzodiazepines at least once (95% CI 2.03-2.25).

    “2.1% (95% CI=2.03%–2.25%) misused benzodiazepines at least once”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.
  • Findingown data

    Approximately 0.5 million U.S. adults met criteria for benzodiazepine use disorders (95% CI 0.38-0.52 million).

    “0.5 (95% CI= 0.38–0.52) million met criteria for benzodiazepine use disorders”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 8
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • May combine two claims. 11
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Benzodiazepine use disorders were associated with having Medicaid.

    “having Medicaid”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.
  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Benzodiazepine use disorders were associated with having ER visit(s).

    “having ER visit(s)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
    • Rests on an assumption: The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Benzodiazepine use was associated with females, probably due to greater prevalence of anxiety disorders and higher probability of treatment seeking among women than men.

    “While benzodiazepine use was associated with females, probably due to greater prevalence of anxiety disorders29 and higher probability of treatment seeking among women than among men”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [29]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [25]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    The annual average weighted response rate for the 2015-2016 NSDUH was 54.3 percent.

    “The annual average weighted response rate for the 2015–2016 NSDUH was 54.3 percent”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Benzodiazepine use disorders were associated with men, possibly reflecting the greater prevalence of substance use disorders among men.

    “benzodiazepine use disorders were associated with men, possibly reflecting the greater prevalence of substance use disorders among men”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [30]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    Increasing prevalence of benzodiazepine use with age may be due to long-term use of benzodiazepines among those who start them.

    “Increasing prevalence of benzodiazepine use with age may be due to long-term use of benzodiazepines among those who start them”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Younger users, socioeconomically disadvantaged users, and those with psychopathology (particularly substance use disorders) are at increased risk for benzodiazepine misuse, use disorders, and associated harms.

    “Our results suggest that younger users, socioeconomically disadvantaged users, and those with psychopathology (particularly substance use disorders) are at increased risk for benzodiazepine misuse, use disorders, and associated harms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    NSDUH data collection was approved by the Institutional Review Board at RTI International, and oral informed consent was received from each participant.

    “NSDUH data collection was approved by the Institutional Review Board at RTI International. Oral informed consent was received from each study participant.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    NSDUH data are subject to recall and social-desirability biases.

    “NSDUH data are subject to recall and social-desirability biases”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Benzodiazepine misuse and use disorders are associated with multiple adverse health effects, including decreased motor coordination and traffic accidents, overdose, and premature mortality.

    “Benzodiazepine misuse and use disorders are associated with multiple adverse health effects,8, 9 including decreased motor coordination and traffic accidents,9, 10 overdose,11, 12 and premature mortality.13”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [8]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [9]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [10]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [12]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The measures used in NSDUH have good validity and reliability.

    “These measures have good validity and reliability.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [21]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [22]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [23]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The analyses are based on DSM-IV criteria, and analyses based on DSM-5 criteria may have yielded different results.

    “our analyses are based on DSM-IV criteria. Analyses based on DSM-5 criteria may have yielded different results”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Benzodiazepines are often used for the short-term treatment of anxiety and insomnia.

    “Benzodiazepines are often used for the short-term treatment of anxiety and insomnia.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [2]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [3]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    These estimates are consistent with a prior study showing upward trends in benzodiazepine use during 2002-2014.

    “consistent with a prior study showing upward trends in benzodiazepine use during 2002–2014”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Because that study was based on pharmacy data, it could not examine other important sociodemographic characteristics, assess diagnostic information of users, or estimate the prevalence or correlates of misuse and use disorders among benzodiazepine users.

    “Because the study was based on pharmacy data, it could not examine other important sociodemographic characteristics, assess diagnostic information of users, or estimate the prevalence or correlates of misuse and use disorders among benzodiazepine users.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Due to the lack of nationally representative data, it has not been possible to estimate what proportion of benzodiazepine users meet criteria for misuse or use disorders and which users are at greatest risk.

    “Due to the lack of nationally representative data, it has not been possible to date to estimate what proportion of users meet criteria for misuse or use disorders and which users are at greatest risk for benzodiazepine misuse or use disorders.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A recent study provided the first estimates of benzodiazepine use in the U.S. using IMS Health data, describing the age and sex of benzodiazepine users.

    “An important recent study provided the first estimates of benzodiazepine use in the U.S using data from IMS Health, describing the age and sex of benzodiazepine users.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Prior studies have not estimated the national prevalence of benzodiazepine use, examined whether correlates of use are similar to those of misuse and use disorders, or investigated motivations for benzodiazepine misuse in a national sample.

    “none has estimated the national prevalence of benzodiazepine use, examined whether correlates of use are similar to those of misuse and use disorders, or investigated motivations for benzodiazepine misuse in a national sample”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [4]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [16]

      Not checked in the free run.

18 of 18
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Retail pharmacy data do not include adults obtaining benzodiazepines from hospitals, clinics, and other non-retail settings.

    “Because retail pharmacy data do not include adults obtaining benzodiazepines from hospitals, clinics, and other non-retail settings”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    NSDUH provides nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.

    “providing the first opportunity to obtain nationally representative data on benzodiazepine use, misuse, and motivations for benzodiazepine misuse among the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 2015–2016 NSDUH sample of 102,000 adults is representative of U.S. adults.

    “Based on the 102,000 sampled adults from the 2015–2016 NSDUH”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    IMSHealth Total Patient Tracker data accurately count unique adults dispensed benzodiazepines in outpatient retail pharmacies in 2015.

    “IMSHealth Total Patient Tracker to assess the number of unique adults who were dispensed benzodiazepines in outpatient retail pharmacies in 2015.”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Patients who take benzodiazepines as prescribed, without benzodiazepine use disorder, account for 98% of benzodiazepine users.

    “This paper outlines principles for deprescribing benzodiazepines and z-drugs in patients who take them as prescribed – without benzodiazepine use disorder – which accounts for 98% of benzodiazepine users (Blanco et al., 2018).”

    From Pharmacological principles for safe benzodiazepine and Z-drug dose reduction (2026) · cites this paper as Blanco et al., 2018

    The Results report that 1.5% of benzodiazepine users had a use disorder, supporting an approximate 98% figure for users without one. But the same section reports that 17.1% of users misused benzodiazepines at least once; the paper therefore does not support describing 98% of users as taking them as prescribed. (LLM, conf=0.91)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Older individuals taking opioids may experience constipation, fatigue, pruritus, anorexia, somnolence, mental status changes, and nausea.

    “For example, older individuals taking opioids may experience constipation, fatigue, pruritus, anorexia, somnolence, mental status changes, and nau sea.”

    From Substance use disorders: a comprehensive update of classification, epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical aspects, treatment and prevention (2023) · cites this paper as [327]

    The Introduction discusses adverse effects of benzodiazepine misuse, while the Discussion addresses overdose risk when benzodiazepines and opioids are combined. Searches for the listed symptoms and for adverse effects of opioids in older adults found no passage addressing the claim; the cited paper does not provide evidence for that symptom list. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Misuse of benzodiazepines and other sedatives can lead to adverse consequences, such as the development of sedative/anxiolytic use disorder.

    “Misuse of benzodiazepines and other sedatives can lead to an array of adverse consequences, such as the development of sedative/anxiolytic use disorder (9)”
  • There is evidence that other substance use disorders are highly prevalent among those with benzodiazepine misuse and that benzodiazepine misuse is associated with poorer substance use disorder treatment outcomes.

    “However, there is evidence that other substance use disorders are highly prevalent among those with benzodiazepine misuse (9), and that benzodiazepine misuse is associated with poorer substance use disorder treatment outcomes (14).”
  • The sedative/anxiolytic use disorder rates among those with any benzodiazepine use reported herein were similar to those previously estimated using 2015-2016 NSDUH data.

    “Of note, the sedative/anxiolytic use disorder rates among those with any benzodiazepine use reported herein were similar to those previously estimated using 2015–2016 NSDUH data (9)”

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Blanco, C., Han, B., Jones, C. M., Johnson, K., & Compton, W. M.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (US)
Venue
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
Published
2018-10-16
Volume
79
Issue
6
ISSN
  • 0160-6689 (ISSN-L)
  • 1555-2101
OpenAlex
W2897046664
Cited by
117
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2014: 1
FWCI
8.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Digital Commons - University of South Florida (University of South Florida) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (Z99 DA999999)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
Keywords
benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine misuse, benzodiazepine use disorder, prevalence, suicidal ideation, emergency department visits, substance use, mental illness, socioeconomic factors, health insurance status, National Survey on Drug Use and Health
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Benzodiazepines, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, United States, Comorbidity, Prevalence, Logistic Models, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult, Prescription Drug Misuse

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review