Clinical and demographic correlates of benzodiazepine dependence: A cross-sectional study in a South Indian tertiary psychiatric center

Background: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are among the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs, but they carry a high risk of developing tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal effects. In India, their prolonged and often unmonitored use has become an increasing public health concern. Aim: This study aimed to examine the clinical profiles and demographic features of patients with BZD dependence attending a tertiary care hospital in South India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between December 2022 and January 2025 at a tertiary care center in Karnataka, India. A total of 64 individuals with a history of BZD use were assessed according to ICD-10 diagnostic guidelines. Data were obtained using a semi-structured pro forma and analyzed with SPSS software (version 25). Results: The participants had a mean age of 44.4 ± 12.9 years, with males comprising 52.4% of the sample. The average duration of BZD use was 4.6 ± 3.7 years. Somatoform disorders (23.8%) were the most frequent reason for prescription, followed by generalised anxiety disorder (15.9%). Clonazepam was the most commonly used medication (76.2%). A family history of substance use was observed in 65.1% of cases. The most frequent withdrawal symptoms were sleep disturbances (58.7%) and panic attacks (20.6%). Conclusion: BZD dependence was found predominantly among middle-aged adults in the tertiary care population, with clonazepam being the leading prescribed drug. These findings point to the need for improved prescribing practices, enhanced clinician training, tighter regulatory oversight, and greater public education to mitigate the rising challenge of BZD dependence in India.