Health

Sedative abuse landing more people in ED

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 6, 2004

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The number of trips to hospital emergency departments related to abuse of benzodiazepine medications exceeded 100,000 in 2002, a 41% increase since 1995, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's Drug Abuse Warning Network.

Nearly half of ED visits concerning abuse of this medication class involved patients who tried to commit suicide using a benzodiazepine, had thoughts of suicide or who had made suicide gestures. Most of the patients were admitted to hospitals after emergency treatment.

Increases in ED visits were seen among young adults as well as adults older than 45. The most dramatic increase occurred among 18- to 19-year-olds, whose rate tripled from fewer than 20 per 100,000 in 1995 to nearly 60 per 100,000 in 2002.

Although benzodiazepines are useful medications and are widely prescribed for patients with anxiety, insomnia or seizures, their sophistication and frequent presence "in the nation's medicine cabinets" has increased the danger that they will be abused, said SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie. The SAMHSA report is available online (link).

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/09/06/hlbf0906.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn