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. 2023 Jun 29;18(6):e0285584.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285584. eCollection 2023.

Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey

Alexis D Ritvo  1 , D E Foster  2 , Christy Huff  3 , A J Reid Finlayson  4 , Bernard Silvernail  5 , Peter R Martin  6
Affiliations

Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey

Alexis D Ritvo et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal has been described, but literature regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is scant.

Objective: We conducted an internet survey of current and former benzodiazepine users and asked about their symptoms and adverse life events attributed to benzodiazepine use.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the largest survey ever conducted with 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups and health/wellness sites who completed the survey. Respondents included those still taking benzodiazepines (n = 136), tapering (n = 294), or fully discontinued (n = 763).

Results: The survey asked about 23 specific symptoms and more than half of the respondents who experienced low energy, distractedness, memory loss, nervousness, anxiety, and other symptoms stated that these symptoms lasted a year or longer. These symptoms were often reported as de novo and distinct from the symptoms for which the benzodiazepines were originally prescribed. A subset of respondents stated that symptoms persisted even after benzodiazepines had been discontinued for a year or more. Adverse life consequences were reported by many respondents as well.

Limitations: This was a self-selected internet survey with no control group. No independent psychiatric diagnoses could be made in participants.

Conclusions: Many prolonged symptoms subsequent to benzodiazepine use and discontinuation (benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction) have been shown in a large survey of benzodiazepine users. Benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) has been proposed as a term to describe symptoms and associated adverse life consequences that may emerge during benzodiazepine use, tapering, and continue after benzodiazepine discontinuation. Not all people who take benzodiazepines will develop BIND and risk factors for BIND remain to be elucidated. Further pathogenic and clinical study of BIND is needed.

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Conflict of interest statement

I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: Alexis D. Ritvo is contracted as the medical director for the national non-profit the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices. Alexis D. Ritvo and D. E. Foster are co-chairs for the Benzodiazepine Action Work Group with the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. D. E. Foster is also the founder and owner of Easing Anxiety. Christy Huff is a director with the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition. Bernie Silvernail Sanders is president of the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and material.

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The authors received no specific funding for this work.