HealthDay (12/26, Reinberg) reports that a study has found that “people who regularly drink to excess are also likely to use benzodiazepines.” The “researchers collected data on more than 2 million patients listed in the Kaiser Permanente database,” for the study. The study “found that people who abused alcohol were 15% more likely to take benzodiazepines than moderate drinkers or teetotalers.” Meanwhile, “when problem drinkers were prescribed benzodiazepines, the average dose was 40% lower and 16% shorter than that for moderate drinkers or teetotalers,” which may be “due to the prescribing doctors or the patients limiting themselves.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Managed Care.
Related Links:
— “Heavy Drinking Plus Xanax, Valium: A Dangerous Mix, “Steven Reinberg, HealthDay, December 26, 2019