Benzodiazepine Misuse and Addiction. Risk Factors and Adverse Behavioral Aspects

Abstract Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs widely applied in many branches of medicine. They may be safely used when applied according to the guidelines and for the short term, but their high addictive potential shows up in specific circumstances. We intend to present benzodiazepines as both useful medicines and addictive psychoactive substances. We describe their mechanism of action, which is based on the interaction with GABA-A—a benzodiazepine receptor complex—the main inhibitory receptor in the central nervous system. The chapter shows benzodiazepine administration guidelines in the treatment of anxiety disorders as well as the problems associated with their nonmedical use, leading to abuse and dependence. The use of benzodiazepines inconsistently with the guideline recommendations is one of the main risk factors for addiction. Risk factors have been also identified within the personality, coping mechanisms, and demographic status of individuals and the chapter will try to cover them all. ( Jarema and Rabe-Jablonska, 2011 , Winstock, 2005