Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder is a substance use disorder characterized by repeated use of substances including benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine-like drugs (e.g. - zolpidem, zaleplon), carbamates (e.g. - glutethimide, meprobamate), barbiturates (e.g. - phenobarbital, secobarbital), and barbiturate-like hypnotics (e.g. - glutethimide, methaqualone) despite significant problems associated with its use. This class also includes all prescription sleeping medications and almost all prescription anti-anxiety medications. Non-benzodiazepine anti-anxiety agents (e.g. - buspirone, gepirone) are not included in this class because they are not associated with significant misuse.
A problematic pattern of sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least 2
of the following, occurring within a 12
-month period:
Criteria A and B
of the criteria set for sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic withdrawal).Specify if:
3
months but for less than 12
months (with the exception that Criterion A4
, “Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use the sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic,” may be met).12
months or longer (with the exception that Criterion A4
, “Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use the sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic,” may be met).Specify if:
Specify if:
2
to 3
symptoms4
to 5
symptoms6
+ symptomsGuideline | Location | Year | Website | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deprescribing.org | Canada | 2018 | • For Patients • For Prescribers | • For Patients • For Providers |
Canadian Guidelines on Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonist Use Disorder Among Older Adults | Canada | 2019 | Link | |
Australian Prescriber | Australia | 2015 | - | Link |