The nature of benzodiazepine dependence among heroin users in Sydney, Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent to which heroin users meet criteria for benzodiazepine dependence, to examine the appropriateness of these criteria for assessing benzodiazepine dependence among this population, and to assess what other substance use, depressive and anxiety disorders are associated with benzodiazepine dependence.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
Two hundred and twenty-two heroin injectors recruited through advertisements, needle exchanges, methadone maintenance clinics and by word of mouth.


RESULTS
Twenty-six per cent (52/202) of those who had used benzodiazepines received a life-time diagnosis of benzodiazepine dependence, with 22% of current benzodiazepine users being dependent. A principal components analysis revealed that a unidimensional construct underlies the benzodiazepine dependence syndrome. Those respondents with life-time benzodiazepine dependence were more likely than others to meet criteria for anxiety or depressive disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of the benzodiazepine dependence syndrome in DSM-III-R (and DSM-IV) is justified. A disturbingly high proportion of heroin users meet the criteria for benzodiazepine dependence, a condition that should be regarded as a significant marker for co-morbidity among this group.
Ross
J
J
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Darke
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines