The use of benzodiazepines among regular amphetamine users.

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 of those of non-benzodiazepine-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.

[1]  W. Hall,et al.  HIV risk-taking behaviour among amphetamine users in Sydney, Australia. , 1994, Addiction.

[2]  A. Mant,et al.  Benzodiazepine utilisation in Australia: report from a new pharmacoepidemiological database. , 2010, Australian journal of public health.

[3]  W. Hall,et al.  Drug use, HIV risk-taking and psychosocial correlates of benzodiazepine use among methadone maintenance clients. , 1993, Drug and alcohol dependence.

[4]  G. Stimson,et al.  Evaluation of syringe-exchange for HIV prevention among injecting drug users in rural and urban areas of Wales. , 1993, Addiction.

[5]  M. Farré,et al.  Flunitrazepam consumption among heroin addicts admitted for in-patient detoxification. , 1993, Drug and alcohol dependence.

[6]  W. Bickel,et al.  Benzodiazepine and sedative use/abuse by methadone maintenance clients. , 1993, Drug and alcohol dependence.

[7]  B Powis,et al.  Severity of dependence and route of administration of heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. , 1992, British journal of addiction.

[8]  S. Ruben,et al.  Temazepam misuse in a group of injecting drug users. , 1992, British journal of addiction.

[9]  J. Strang,et al.  Intravenous and other novel abuses of benzodiazepines: the opening of Pandora's box? , 1992, British journal of addiction.

[10]  W. Hall,et al.  Benzodiazepine use and HIV risk-taking behaviour among injecting drug users. , 1992, Drug and alcohol dependence.

[11]  K. Dolan,et al.  Life-style factors and social circumstances of syringe sharing in injecting drug users. , 1992, British journal of addiction.

[12]  G. Chesher.  Hazardous amphetamine use: The need to consider dosage. , 1991, Drug and alcohol review.

[13]  E. Bixler,et al.  Next-day memory impairment with triazolam use , 1991, The Lancet.

[14]  H. Klee,et al.  AIDS-related risk behaviour, polydrug use and temazepam. , 1990, British journal of addiction.

[15]  R. Dupont.  Abuse of benzodiazepines: the problems and the solutions. A report of a Committee of the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. , 1988, The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse.

[16]  R. Griffiths,et al.  Diazepam use among methadone maintenance patients: patterns and dosages. , 1981, Drug and alcohol dependence.

[17]  D. Goldberg,et al.  A scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire , 1979, Psychological Medicine.