Increased emergency department visits due to abuse of benzodiazepines and narcotic pain relievers

The USA has increased emergency department visits over past 10 years due to abuse of benzodiazepines and narcotic pain relievers.

“Substance abuse treatment admissions for addiction involving combined use of benzodiazepine and narcotic pain relievers rose a total of 569.7 percent, to 33,701, from 2000 to 2010, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Overall substance abuse treatment admissions of people ages 12 and older in the same period rose 4 percent, to 1.82 million, the agency said.”

Article provided by SAMHSA.

Read entire article here (PDF).