A new study reveals that benzodiazepine use and discontinuation are associated with nervous system injury and prolonged negative life effects, even after discontinuation. The study introduces a new term, benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND), to describe the long-term neurological complications experienced by a subset of patients, which includes symptoms like memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts, and calls for a change in prescription practices and further research into the condition and treatment options.
Researchers at CU Anschutz have found a connection between the use of benzodiazepines and long-term neurological complications.
According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, benzodiazepine use and discontinuation are linked to harm to the nervous system and negative life effects that continue after discontinuation.
The findings were recently published in the journal PLOS ONE.
“Despite the fact that benzodiazepines have been widely prescribed for decades, this survey presents significant new evidence that a subset of patients experience long-term neurological complications,” said Alexis Ritvo, M.D, M.P.H., an assistant professor in psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and medical director of the nonprofit Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices.“This should change how we think about benzodiazepines and how they are prescribed.”
“Patients have been reporting long-term effects from benzodiazepines for over 60 years. I am one of those patients. Even though I took my medication as prescribed, I still experience symptoms on a daily basis at four years off benzodiazepines. Our survey and the new term BIND give a voice to the patient experience and point to the need for further investigations,” said Christy Huff, M.D., one of the paper’s coauthors and a cardiologist and director of Benzodiazepine Information Coalition.
The survey was a collaborative effort between CU Anschutz, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and several patient-led advocacy organizations that educate on benzodiazepine harms. Several members of the research team have lived experience with benzodiazepines, which informed the survey questions.
Symptoms were long-lasting, with 76.6% of all affirmative answers to symptom questions reporting the duration to be months or more than a year. The following ten symptoms persisted over a year in more than half of respondents: low energy, difficulty focusing, memory loss, anxiety, insomnia, sensitivity to light and sounds, digestive problems, symptoms triggered by food and drink, muscle weakness, and body pain.
Particularly alarming, these symptoms were often reported as new and distinct from the symptoms for which benzodiazepines were originally prescribed. In addition, a majority of respondents reported prolonged negative life impacts in all areas, such as significantly damaged relationships, job loss, and increased medical costs. Notably, 54.4% of the respondents reported suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide.
BIND is thought to be a result of brain changes resulting from benzodiazepine exposure. A general review of the literature suggests that it occurs in roughly one in five long-term users. The risk factors for BIND are not known, and more research is needed to further define the condition, along with treatment options.
Previous studies had described this injury with various terminologies, perhaps the most well-known being protracted withdrawal. As part of the study, a scientific review board unified these names under the term benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) to more accurately describe the condition.
To better characterize BIND, Ritvo and colleagues analyzed data from a previously published survey of current and former benzodiazepine users that asked about their symptoms and adverse life effects attributed to benzodiazepine use. The survey of 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups along with health and wellness sites is the largest of its kind. Respondents included those taking benzodiazepines (63.2%), in the process of tapering (24.4%), or fully discontinued (11.3%). Nearly all respondents had a prescription for benzodiazepines (98.6%) and 91% took them mostly as prescribed.
Reference: “Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey” by Alexis D. Ritvo, D. E. Foster, Christy Huff, A. J. Reid Finlayson, Bernard Silvernail, and Peter R. Martin, 29 June 2023, PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285584
I’m very interested in learning more about this. I’ve taken 0.5 mg of Clonazepam daily for 30 years. I have no neurological problems at this time. Is BIND dose related? At 58, and functioning fairly well, I am hesitant to stop this medication. Any input is appreciated.
Among those who follow the gun control debate, there are many who have suggested, for years, that the discontinuation of certain prescription drugs leads to either personal suicide, or mass shootings as a form of ‘suicide by cop.’ This deserves to be investigated more thoroughly.
Well, article would have been 10x more informative had the authors mentioned just a few common brand names of these “widely prescribed” medications containing benzodiazepine.
“To better characterize BIND, Ritvo and colleagues analyzed data from a previously published survey of current and former benzodiazepine users that asked about their symptoms and adverse life effects attributed to benzodiazepine use. The survey of 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups along with health and wellness sites is the largest of its kind. Respondents included those taking benzodiazepines (63.2%), in the process of tapering (24.4%), or fully discontinued (11.3%).” There is no control group. This is a subjective study where people regurgitate media claims about their medication. We don’t even get to see they survey for likely bias. Now compare this with those on Seroquel and you’ll find a real neurological disorder.
My husband was prescribed for insomnia over 40 years ago. He has not been able to get off them in spite of spending months tapering many times. While his dose is relatively low he can’t miss a night without feeling it. At this point he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and has central pain syndrome as well so now he’s on four different pain relievers including low dose of opioids. Yea, its pretty much a disaster and he just tries to get through every day. He’s only 67.
@Julie. I am a pharmacist. There is no link between benzos and Parkinsons. I see patients rotate on and off them with ease. The loss effect only lasts 2-3 days unless your dose was very high which is not recommended. Tapering is not necessary unlike with many other psychoactive meds. Their is a huge gap between former drug addicts who latch onto benzos to keep their broken minds afloat then complain to the rest of us that they feel addicted and the rest of us.
“Tapering is not necessary unlike with many other psychoactive meds.” Are you serious and ignorant or just a troll? All the safety studies for benzo medications were done over a period of a few weeks, none for long term use , long term use of benzodiazepines does have long term alterations on the brain, you can’t just cold turkey. Many who have, had massive seizures as a result. Even the papers you receive with the script say if you stop the medication suddenly, you can experience status epilepticus. But why should I debate with someone who claims long term users scribed by their doctors are “former drug addicts”.