OpenLB
Open Library of Bioscience

This study tested the hypothesis whether over-the-counter Benzodiazepine availability influenced patterns of Benzodiazepine use, abuse, and dependence in Chile. If over-the-counter availability represents a major risk factor leading to Benzodiazepine substance use disorders, rates of abuse, and dependence would be significantly higher among over-the-counter Benzodiazepine users than among prescription drug users. The study was a household survey of a stratified sample (N = 1,500) of the Santiago (Chile) population performed by trained interviewers. Data were collected by structured questionnaires on demographic characteristics, drug use, psychoactive substance use disorders, and other psychosocial variables. Past-year prevalence of Benzodiazepine use was 31.4%, daily use of benzodiazepines for > or = 12 months, 5.9%, and subjects who met DSM-III-R criteria for dependence, 3.3%. Seventy-four percent of subjects obtained the Benzodiazepine over-the-counter (always 45%; sometimes 29%). No subject acknowledged recreational Benzodiazepine use or met criteria for Benzodiazepine abuse. Use, long-term use, and dependence occurred equally frequently among both over-the-counter and prescription Benzodiazepine users. Results suggest that although over-the-counter availability increases Benzodiazepine use, it is not a major risk factor that leads to Benzodiazepine abuse and/or dependence.