Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder
A substance use disorder involving a problematic pattern of sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic medication use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.
Overview
Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder involves a problematic pattern of use of medications such as benzodiazepines or sleep medications, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, including tolerance and withdrawal.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms can include using more medication than intended, unsuccessful efforts to cut down, strong cravings, and continued use despite awareness of harm. Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has this condition. Diagnosis requires an appropriate clinical evaluation.
Causes and Risk Factors
Risk factors include prescribed use for anxiety or insomnia that progresses to misuse, prior substance use history, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis should be made by a qualified healthcare professional following a comprehensive clinical assessment. Clinicians may use established diagnostic frameworks such as DSM-5-TR and/or ICD-11 as part of a comprehensive assessment.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the individual’s symptoms, clinical history, severity, age, co-occurring conditions, and other relevant factors.
Psychotherapy
Behavioral treatment combined with medically supervised tapering improves outcomes.
Medication
Withdrawal from sedatives can be medically serious; a gradual, medically supervised taper is generally recommended rather than abrupt discontinuation. Medication decisions should be made with a qualified prescribing healthcare professional. Do not start, stop, or change a prescribed medication based solely on information on this page.
Living With Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder
Never stop long-term sedative use abruptly without medical guidance, given the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms including seizures.
When to Seek Professional Help
Professional evaluation may be appropriate if symptoms persist, worsen, cause significant distress, or interfere with work, school, or relationships.
Emergency Situations
If a person may be in immediate danger, is experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, or may harm themselves or another person, seek immediate assistance through appropriate local emergency services.
Outlook
With medically supervised treatment, many people achieve significant improvement.
Related Conditions
Medical Information Disclaimer
Ratel Health provides general educational information and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. Information on this page is not a substitute for evaluation or care from a qualified healthcare professional. Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or another person, or to start, stop, or change treatment or medication without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).
- National Institute of Mental Health.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision.