{"id":3193,"date":"2026-10-13T16:30:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T20:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/injurycenter.umich.edu\/safer-prescribing-toolkit\/?page_id=3193"},"modified":"2026-10-14T16:40:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T20:40:31","slug":"benzodiazepine-common-uses-and-appropriate-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/injurycenter.umich.edu\/safer-prescribing-toolkit\/benzodiazepine-common-uses-and-appropriate-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Benzodiazepine Common Uses and Appropriate Alternatives\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Benzodiazepine Common Uses and Appropriate Alternatives\u00a0<\/h1>\n\n
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Benzodiazepines are not recommended as first-line or long-term therapy<\/strong> for anxiety or insomnia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is due to risks of physical dependence, sedation, cognitive impairment, misuse, overdose risk when combined with other medications or substances, and possible association with increased mortality and suicide risk.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Anxiety disorders commonly co-occur with substance use disorders (SUDs). Screen for alcohol, cannabis, stimulant, sedative, and other substance misuse, and address active substance misuse or SUD alongside anxiety and ADHD treatment planning. <\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Situations where anxiety<\/strong> may benefit from benzodiazepines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n