Benzodiazepine Addiction Statistics

How Many People Are Addicted to Benzodiazepine in the U.S.?

Benzodiazepines are effective in providing short-term relief but have a high potential for substance use disorders due to their calming effects. Benzodiazepines are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances, with a significant risk for addiction and benzodiazepine dependence when used improperly.

Learn more about the rates of benzodiazepine use and misuse across the U.S. and how you can find help if you or a loved one are battling an addiction.

In the United States, approximately 30.6 million adults report using benzodiazepines. Of these, around 5.3 million engage in benzo abuse, which can lead to addiction and serious health risks.

Misuse includes taking the medication without a prescription, using higher doses than recommended, or taking it more frequently than prescribed. This represents about 17% of total benzodiazepine use.

Benzodiazepine Addiction Rates in the U.S. vs. Other Nations

Benzodiazepine misuse rates differ significantly around the world. In the United States, around 1.4% of the population, or approximately 3.9 million people, reported misusing benzodiazepines in the past year.

Globally, certain countries report much higher rates of benzodiazepine use. For example, Spain had the highest legal use of benzodiazepines in 2017, with these medications being the third-most sold drugs nationwide.

Other regions with high benzodiazepine prescription rates include Israel, Western Europe, Japan, North America, and parts of Latin America.

France consistently ranks among the top countries for benzodiazepine use, while Italy reported significant consumption in recent years. Conversely, countries such as Russia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Philippines show much lower rates of benzodiazepine use.

These variations could be explained by different cultural attitudes toward mental health, accessibility of these medications, and the prevalence of anxiety and other related disorders.

Statistics on Benzodiazepine Use

Over the past decades, the use of benzos in the United States has shown a pattern of growth and decline. From 1996 to 2013, the number of adults filling benzodiazepine prescriptions increased by 67%, rising from 8.1 million to 13.5 million.

But recent years have seen a shift. Between 2017 and 2021, prescription rates for benzos like Xanax dropped significantly, from 27.05 million to 15.38 million. This suggests a growing awareness of the risks associated with long-term benzodiazepine use, including addiction and drug overdose.

The decline may also reflect changes in prescribing practices as healthcare providers become more cautious in recommending these medications.

Statistics on Benzodiazepine Abuse

Benzodiazepine misuse is a widespread issue due to its sedative effects on the central nervous system. Misuse can lead to serious health risks, including benzo addiction and overdose.

Key statistics on benzodiazepine abuse include:

• Widespread misuse: Approximately 1.7% of the U.S. population, or around 4.9 million people, reported misusing prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in the past year.
• High diversion rates: Benzodiazepines are among the most frequently sold or shared prescription drugs found on the illegal market.
• Methods of substance abuse: People can misuse benzodiazepines by getting multiple prescriptions, forging prescriptions, or purchasing diverted pharmaceuticals illegally.
• Combination risk: Misuse and combination with alcohol or prescription opioids increases overdose risk. Nearly 14% of opioid-related deaths also involve benzos.
• Emergency visits: For every 311 prescriptions written for benzodiazepines like Xanax, there is one emergency department visit related to misuse.

Benzodiazepine Addiction Statistics by Demographic

Gender, age, race, and socioeconomic status each affect the likelihood of someone becoming addicted to benzodiazepines in the following ways.

Gender and Benzodiazepine Use

Benzodiazepines are more frequently prescribed to women than men, largely due to higher rates of anxiety disorders among women.

Women are twice as likely to use benzodiazepines compared to men and often experience stronger cravings, increasing their risk of misuse.

Age and Benzodiazepine Use

Young U.S. adults, particularly those aged 18 to 35, report the highest rates of benzodiazepine misuse, often using the drugs recreationally or to self-medicate for stress or anxiety disorders.

In contrast, older adults, especially those aged 65 and older, are more likely to engage in long-term use, mostly through prescriptions. From 2014 to 2016, 91% of benzodiazepine prescriptions for this age group were prescription renewals for managing conditions such as insomnia and anxiety.

Overall, in 2020, around 4.8 million individuals aged 12 and older misused prescription benzodiazepines.

Race and Benzodiazepine Use

Benzodiazepine drug use and misuse vary across different racial and ethnic groups.

Rates of benzodiazepine misuse across racial demographics include:

• White Adults: Highest misuse rates with 2.6% for tranquilizers and 0.6% for sedatives.
• Black/African American Adults: Lower misuse rates at 1.3% for tranquilizers and 0.2% for sedatives.
• Asian Adults: Lowest misuse rates, with 0.7% for tranquilizers and 0.2% for sedatives.
• American Indian/Alaska Native Adults: Misuse rates are 1.8% for tranquilizers and 0.4% for sedatives.
• Multiracial Adults: Highest overall misuse at 3.1% for tranquilizers and 0.9% for sedatives.

Socioeconomic Factors and Benzodiazepine Use

People from lower-income communities often face barriers to accessing prescriptions, even when they experience conditions such as anxiety or insomnia. As a result, overall benzodiazepine use tends to be lower in these areas.

But once people in lower-income areas do receive benzodiazepine prescriptions, they’re more likely to use them for longer periods. This may be due to limited access to alternative treatments such as therapy or specialized mental health care.

Benzodiazepine Overdose Rates

In the United States, overdose data is generally collected for all benzodiazepines combined, so it’s difficult to determine the specific impact of individual drugs like Xanax and Valium alone.

In 2021, there were around 12,499 deaths involving benzodiazepine overdoses, up from 1,135 deaths in 1999. This rate shows a rise of nearly 917% over two decades.

Benzodiazepines are often involved in overdoses with other substances, particularly prescription opioids like fentanyl. This combination increases the risk of heart rate and respiratory depression, leading to a higher chance of fatal outcomes.

While the number of benzo-related deaths decreased to 10,964 in 2022, these medications remain a significant health risk when used with other drugs.

Statistics on Effects of Benzodiazepine Misuse

Misusing benzodiazepines can lead to a range of serious health problems that persist even after stopping use.

Key effects of benzodiazepine use and abuse include:

• Addiction: Around 17.2% of people who misuse benzodiazepines develop an addiction.
• Pregnancy complications: Nearly 1.9% of pregnant women worldwide report using benzodiazepines despite risks of complications like early delivery and low birth weight.
• Cognitive impairment: Long-term misuse can cause lasting cognitive side effects, including memory loss and difficulty focusing, even after discontinuing the drug.
• Severe benzodiazepine withdrawal: Stopping benzodiazepines suddenly can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms like seizures, panic attacks, and severe anxiety.
• Overdose risk: The risk of overdose increases when benzos are combined with substances like alcohol or opioids. In 2021, there were 12,499 U.S. benzodiazepine-related deaths.
• Medical emergencies: From 2004 to 2011, emergency room visits involving benzodiazepine misuse rose by 149%.

Find Support for Benzodiazepine Addiction Now

If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine addiction, it’s important to seek professional help. Many treatment centers offer specialized programs tailored to individual needs and health conditions, including inpatient and outpatient options.

Effective treatment often begins with medical detox to safely manage withdrawal symptoms, followed by therapies that address the underlying causes of addiction. Navigating the range of treatment options can feel overwhelming, but support can guide you and your family members through the process.

Contact us today to learn more about addiction treatment centers near you and get the help needed to overcome benzodiazepine addiction. Taking the first step toward recovery can make a significant difference in getting you or your loved one back on track.