Benzodiazepines in Drug Abuse-Related Emergency Department Visits: 1995-2002

Benzodiazepines are psychotherapeutic sedatives used to ■ Alprazolam and clonazepam were the treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Examples of some benzodiazepines most frequently reported in drug common brands include Valium®, Xanax®, Librium®, abuse-related ED visits in 2002. However, a third of and Ativan®. total benzodiazepine mentions were reported only
as “benzodiazepine,” with no specific drug name.
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In 2002, over 100,000 drug abuse-related emergency
department (ED) visits involved benzodiazepines. ■ Most benzodiazepine-related ED visits (78%)
involved more than one drug.
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Drug abuse-related ED visits involving benzodiazepines increased 41 percent from 1995 to 2002. ■ Alcohol was the substance most frequently reported
with benzodiazepines in drug abuse-related ED visits.