Benzodiazepine-type drugs (benzodiazepines and newer non-benzodiazepines, such as “Z drugs”) are important therapeutic tools in psychiatric medicine, being among the most highly prescribed psychiatric medications. Despite their clinical usefulness, benzodiazepines also induce several unwanted side effects, including abuse and dependence. In fact, the misuse and abuse of benzodiazepines have increased dramatically in recent years, with overdose deaths due to the combination of benzodiazepines and opioids reaching an all-time high, emphasizing that benzodiazepine abuse is cause for concern. Critically, no approved and broadly effective pharmacotherapy exists for the treatment of benzodiazepine misuse/use disorder.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight novel research examining factors related to the misuse, abuse, and dependence associated with benzodiazepine-type drugs.
Areas covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Pre-clinical research investigating factors (e.g. genetic, environmental, neurobiological, pharmacological) associated with benzodiazepine use/misuse/use disorder;
• Translational studies aimed at identifying mechanisms and/or potential therapeutic strategies for benzodiazepine addiction;
• Studies examining sex differences in benzodiazepine use and abuse;
• Investigation of interactions between therapeutic and abuse-related effects of benzodiazepine-type drugs;
• Clinical and epidemiological studies reporting trends in the prevalence of benzodiazepine addiction and/or identifying determinants and related comorbidities of this disease;
• Review articles summarizing available research on benzodiazepine use disorder.
Benzodiazepine-type drugs (benzodiazepines and newer non-benzodiazepines, such as “Z drugs”) are important therapeutic tools in psychiatric medicine, being among the most highly prescribed psychiatric medications. Despite their clinical usefulness, benzodiazepines also induce several unwanted side effects, including abuse and dependence. In fact, the misuse and abuse of benzodiazepines have increased dramatically in recent years, with overdose deaths due to the combination of benzodiazepines and opioids reaching an all-time high, emphasizing that benzodiazepine abuse is cause for concern. Critically, no approved and broadly effective pharmacotherapy exists for the treatment of benzodiazepine misuse/use disorder.
The aim of this Research Topic is to highlight novel research examining factors related to the misuse, abuse, and dependence associated with benzodiazepine-type drugs.
Areas covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Pre-clinical research investigating factors (e.g. genetic, environmental, neurobiological, pharmacological) associated with benzodiazepine use/misuse/use disorder;
• Translational studies aimed at identifying mechanisms and/or potential therapeutic strategies for benzodiazepine addiction;
• Studies examining sex differences in benzodiazepine use and abuse;
• Investigation of interactions between therapeutic and abuse-related effects of benzodiazepine-type drugs;
• Clinical and epidemiological studies reporting trends in the prevalence of benzodiazepine addiction and/or identifying determinants and related comorbidities of this disease;
• Review articles summarizing available research on benzodiazepine use disorder.