Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder

Sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics are prescription drugs that are licensed for the short-term treatment of anxiety and sleep problems. Older [Page 3006]sedative compounds such as barbiturates have abuse liability and can cause dangerous drug interactions, and tolerance that can lead to dose escalation and dependence. In the 1960s, benzodiazepines were introduced and were recognized as safe, effective, and palatable compounds that acted quickly. As a result, benzodiazepines soon supplanted barbiturates, leading to the widespread and continued long-term use of benzodiazepines. Although initially benzodiazepines did not seem to have the same problems as barbiturates, in the 1980s, problems with dependence and withdrawal of benzodiazepines were recognized, and it was found that these problems were more prevalent after higher doses or illicit drug use. Thus, in 2013, ...