A large-scale exposure-only within-subject time-to-event pharmacoepidemiologic study led by Robert D. Gibbons and Kwan Hur of the University of Chicago, alongside Jill E. Lavigne and J. John Mann of Columbia University, has confirmed alarming links between benzodiazepines and increased suicide attempt risk. Analyzing data from over 2.4 million U.S. patients using the MarketScan medical claims database, the researchers found that alprazolam was associated with a more than twofold increase in suicide attempts (HR=2.21), with a 5% rise in risk for every additional month of treatment at the standard dose of 0.5 mg.
Key Findings
- Alprazolam is associated with a doubling of suicide attempt risk.
- A duration response analysis revealed a 5% increase per month of treatment.
- Similar results were found for long-acting diazepam and short-acting lorazepam.
- The anxiolytic buspirone showed significantly less suicide attempt risk.
The study, published in Psychiatry Research, also examined other benzodiazepines and revealed similarly concerning results. Diazepam was associated with nearly a threefold increased risk of suicide attempts (HR=2.87), while lorazepam was linked to an 83% increase (HR=1.83). These findings suggest that the heightened suicide risk is not unique to alprazolam but is a broader issue within the benzodiazepine drug class, irrespective of differences in half-life or withdrawal seizure potential.
These findings underscore the urgent need to reconsider benzodiazepine prescribing practices, especially for long-term use, and to explore safer, more effective treatment options for anxiety disorders.
The findings of this study reaffirm the dangers of benzodiazepines, particularly when prescribed long-term, and highlight the broader systemic failure to recognize and appropriately address the risks these drugs pose. Without immediate changes to prescribing practices, as well as an expansion of research and comprehensive medical support for those harmed by benzodiazepines, these tragedies will continue.
At Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, we encounter suicide far too frequently among those injured by benzodiazepines. For many, suicide is not a result of the original condition for which they were prescribed benzodiazepines, but rather stems from their inability to endure the devastating effects of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND). We know this because many leave behind notes, sharing the agony and hopelessness they experience, which reinforces the urgent need for better care and intervention. This condition can leave individuals trapped in a state of severe, unrelenting symptoms—ranging from physical agony to profound cognitive and psychological impairment—over the course of many months to many years. The absence of effective support and medical interventions, appropriate medical recognition, or effective options for relief intensifies their suffering, often pushing them to the brink.
This medication should be taken with extreme caution. Doctors and pharmacists should be forced by their professional orders to use a standardized form (signed by both the health professional and the patient) to explain the full range of potential risks of a prescription extending beyond 14 to 28 days.
I personally took benzodiazepines for 15 years, as prescribed and even much less.Three years ago, I began tapering off and completely stopped after 17 weeks of tapering. Unfortunately, I was unaware that this tapering schedule was far too rapid and was unaware of the possibility to get liquid benzos for a slower reduction of the dose—I was simply following the advice of my pharmacist and doctor who didn’t know better. This led to the most harrowing period of my life, during which I had to reach out multiple times to suicide hotlines and lean heavily on family members for support. So I believe completely this report.
Even after stopping the medication, the ordeal continued. For two years post-cessation, I experienced debilitating symptoms such as panic attacks, hand tremors, insomnia, racing thoughts, stomach cramps, chest pain, and persistent unexplainable anxiety.
But there is a ray of hope in all of this. Now, in December 2024—two and a half years after stopping—it has been a month now since I’ve been able to get rejuvenating sleep by sleeping consistently between 6.5 to 8 hours every night. No other medication or natural herbs. Just this morning, I woke up at 5:45 AM after falling asleep quickly the night before at around 10 PM. So, to anyone going through this: hang in there. The struggle does have the possibility of leading back to normalcy. Take care, and happy New Year!
Robert,
The burden is going to be on you to educate yourself. Read the Ashton Manual. Get on the internet and search for any medical journals and papers published by psychopharmacologists, neurologists and psychiatrists that UNDERSTAND what is happening in your brain. Poisoning is one word for it but more accurately should be described as a drug induced brain injury. There isn’t any medication that will make the brain heal any faster and taking addditional meds will only make it worse. Your brain is now in “toddler” mode having to relearn every coping skill you’ve acquired through your life. Be patient with yourself. Come to grips with the fact that it will be hard going for quite some time. Get familiar with every symptom you have, you’ll get to know them all intimately. Accept them and relax, they WILL lessen with time but the more you stress the worse it will be.
I wish this site would start a forum where we could all talk with each other, talking sometimes can lessen the fear and stress, particularly with people who know what you’re going through.
Courage my friend.
Thanks, T. Milazzo, for your empathetic words. I fully agree. Also I would be greatful for a forum here. To all out there: it will get better, please do not give up, as hard and useless it might feel presently.
Be careful here, I am currently on tapering schedule from high doses of benzos after 25+ years on them. Doctors do not have a clue. This is serious stuff. Getting off these has been a nightmare. My does has lessened to 1/2 of what I was taking. Only used as prescribed. Been through all the different benzos throughout this time. New doctor decided just to stop prescribing them and told me to take Tylenol. If I had not done my own research and found out about tapering, I was about to off myself, not rational, but serious consideration at several points. I’m a “successful” well educated man with grown children living in hell with a positive attitude but can barely take this. We’ve been poisoned. And those who do this have no clue about what they have done and how to undo it. Sad. Americans are fed up with health care system. I fully understand the spike in suicides. Covid alarm scare only added to the trauma for those on these meds.
Thank you, everyone, for all you do. I am never disappointed with your efforts and your aim to educate.
NO effective support, medical intervention, or options for relief – WHY??????
I’ve been banging this drum for so long.
Living this horror. These drugs should be banned in the US like they are in Europe.
Amen brother!
It’s a never ending cycle of feeling you’re trapped in a foreign body with a damaged brain, able to remember who you were but unable to get back to life before benzos. You need nerves of steel and all the strength you can find to make it through with every new day being an “adeventure” of new physical and psychological symptoms you’ve never experienced before.
Lack of medical recognition and being used to not even opening your mouth about a new symptom hoping it will go away on its own is excruciating as well as the medical “professional” who is not even willing to consider the possibility that these symptoms are generated by a hyperactive and injured brain which is sending out signals to your body to fight ghost ailments.
Again, thank you and thank this site for existing. It’s saved my life many times already and some days is the only thing that keeps me from falling down another rabbit hole of despair.
That was very well spoken.
I am a 69 year old male and have been taking benzodiazepines daily as prescribed for bipolar 1 disorder.Starting March 2024 I decided to wean.After 7 months of EXTREMELY difficult withdrawals I saw my doctor yesterday and started back.
These are absolutely the most dangerous drugs on earth.
I’m a 69 year old female that recently finished a long and horrific taper and I am experiencing BIND. I can certainly relate to your situation and if I had to do it again I would do things much differently including deciding to reinstate.
The reason I did survive and not take my life was finding a doctor who believed in me and was very knowledgeable of benzodiazepines and recovery. I found that doctor listed on the BIC website. I wish you well, Tony.