Opiate Abuse: A Review of the Combined Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines

Melwani Amran, Julaeha

2023

Abstract

This article reviews studies investigating the pharmacological interactions and epidemiology of combined opioid and benzodiazepine (BZD) use. A search of English language publications from 2015 to 2023 was conducted using PubMed and PsycINFO®. Our search identified approximately 10 articles suitable for inclusion in this paper with the search characteristic of combined opiate and BZD use. Despite numerous reports indicating that opioid and BZD abuse is ubiquitous worldwide, the reasons for abuse of these drugs are not entirely clear. While opioid users may use BZDs therapeutically to treat anxiety, mania or insomnia, the data reviewed in this paper suggest that BZD use is primarily recreational. For example, co-users reported seeking BZD prescriptions to increase opioid intoxication or 'sobriety', and using doses that exceeded the therapeutic range. As few clinical studies have investigated the pharmacological interactions and abuse potential of their combined use, this hypothesis has not been extensively evaluated in a clinical setting. Therefore, our analysis encourages further systematic investigation of BZD abuse among opioid users. Co-abuse of BZDs and opioids is substantial and has negative consequences for general health, overdose mortality and treatment outcomes. Clinicians should address this important and under-recognised issue with more cautious prescribing practices and increased vigilance for patterns of misuse.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Amran M. and Julaeha. (2023). Opiate Abuse: A Review of the Combined Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines. In Proceedings of the 4th International Seminar and Call for Paper - Volume 1: ISCP UTA '45 JAKARTA; ISBN 978-989-758-691-0, SciTePress, pages 194-204. DOI: 10.5220/0012641900003821

in Bibtex Style

@conference{iscp uta '45 jakarta23,
author={Melwani Amran and Julaeha},
title={Opiate Abuse: A Review of the Combined Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 4th International Seminar and Call for Paper - Volume 1: ISCP UTA '45 JAKARTA},
year={2023},
pages={194-204},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0012641900003821},
isbn={978-989-758-691-0},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 4th International Seminar and Call for Paper - Volume 1: ISCP UTA '45 JAKARTA
TI - Opiate Abuse: A Review of the Combined Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines
SN - 978-989-758-691-0
AU - Amran M.
AU - Julaeha.
PY - 2023
SP - 194
EP - 204
DO - 10.5220/0012641900003821
PB - SciTePress