Identifying Benzodiazepine Abuse: A Report of 3 Cases

Benzodiazepines are a class of tranquilizers that, like prescription opiates, are commonly subject to abuse. Abusers of benzodiazepines commonly malinger to sustain access to these prescriptions from their health care providers by creating and enhancing medically necessary conditions requiring treatment with benzodiazepines. Such behavior may involve displays of unrelenting extreme anxiety that are resolved only by the administration of benzodiazepines. Typical substance abuse behaviors also include noncompliance with treatment, lack of self-care, and lack/failure of counseling. Three cases underwritten for life expectancies in legal matters provide insight as to what kinds of benzodiazepine abuse behaviors can arise, given the conditions and resources available. For life underwriters and medical directors, such benzodiazepine abuse behaviors can serve as an underwriting red flag at time of application. Signs and symptoms of additional substance abuse, such as alcohol and prescription opiates, are likely to be found among those who abuse benzodiazepines and can serve as underwriting red flags.