Benzodiazepine Use Disorder

Benzodiazepine use disorder is a condition characterized by the inappropriate use of benzodiazepine medications. There are special considerations for this disorder in the elderly population, which will be discussed below. A comprehensive assessment of benzodiazepine use disorder includes a thorough history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory investigations. Treatment of benzodiazepine use disorder consists of assessing the need for continued use of the medication, aggressively treating underlying or comorbid conditions and tapering of the medication. Management may consist of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. In this chapter, we will review the current recommendations for diagnosing and managing benzodiazepine use disorder in older adults.