Benzodiazepine Prescription for Anxiety Disorders Increase the Risk of Substance Use Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction While the role of benzodiazepines (BZDs) has been well established for anxiety and related disorders, there are significant concerns about BZD dependence, withdrawal, tolerance. There is a lot ambiguity regarding potential long-term effects BZDs on mental health. However, risk developing subsequent other substance use disorders in question. Objectives In this electronic medical record (EMR) based retrospective cohort study, study was defined as patients between ages 18 65 with (ICD-10-CM: F40-F48) prescribed at least one BZD; control no prescription during five-year timeframe examined. We excluded pre-existing F10-F19), et al. Methods collected data from TriNetX Research database, real-time international EMR network, September 2017 to 2022. Patients two cohorts were matched by gender, age, race, ethnicity, common conditions 1:1 ratio propensity scoring then underwent Kaplan–Meier analysis association analysis. Results A total 626,754 identified more likely be female (67.6% vs. 66.7%, p < 0.001), non-Hispanic (65.8% 62.5%, 0.001) white (72.8% 69.1%, 0.001). showed survival probability end time window 94.1% 89.5% (Hazard ratio, 2.20; 95% CI, 2.16-2.25; P all type disorders. (Table 1) Table 1. Hazard difference versus cohort. Cohort n (risk%) Control Ratio (95% Cl) value Substance Use Disorders* 26,569 (4.2) 11,976 (1.9) 2.20 (2.16- 2.25) <0.001 Sedative/hypnotic/anxiolytic 656 (0.1) 152 (0.0) 4.26 (3.57- 5.09) Alcohol Related Disorder 5,749 (0.9) 2,064 (0.3) 2.74 (2.61-2.88) Opioid 2,807 (0.4) 815 3.38 (3.13-3.66) Stimulant 1,658 551 2.94 (2.67- 3.24) Cannabis 3,376 (0.5) 970 (0.2) 3.41 (3.17- 3.66) * Mental behavioral due psychoactive F10-F19). Conclusions an disorder who higher not only dependence but types than BZDs. Given notable association, clinicians should cautious while prescribing inform patient risks associated their utilization. Disclosure Interest None Declared