Major Points
The VA/DoD Practice Guideline for PTSD strongly advises against using benzodiazepines as a PTSD treatment.
The evidence supporting the negative effects of long-term benzodiazepine use in PTSD patients is growing.
The percentage of VA PTSD patients who were prescribed benzodiazepines declined from 30% in fiscal year (FY) 2012 to 9.1% in FY20 (Quarter 3; 1).
The National Academic Detailing Program and the Psychotropic Drug Safety Initiative (PDSI) have made significant contributions to the reduction in use that has been observed.
Check: Narcissistic parents
Evidence for Benzodiazepine Use in PTSD
Veterans with PTSD are highly discouraged from taking benzodiazepines on a regular basis, according to the VA/DoD 2017 Practice Guideline for the Management of PTSD (2). The advice was based on the acknowledged risks of abuse and dependence associated with benzodiazepines as well as their uncertain efficacy.
Benzodiazepines have undergone two placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trials for the treatment of PTSD. Both came up empty-handed. Clonazepam (Klonopin) had no effect for the treatment of PTSD-related sleep dysfunction, while alprazolam (Xanax) had no benefit for reducing PTSD symptoms (3). (4). Results from studies using administrative data from the VA on Veterans receiving treatment for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder (SUD) further contradict the notion that benzodiazepines can treat PTSD (5). Benzodiazepines are useless for treating PTSD, according to a recent meta-analysis of 18 research with more than 5,200 individuals, which also revealed that the hazards of using them outweigh any potential short-term benefits (6).
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