Abstract
BackgroundBenzodiazepines are commonly prescribed in prisons amidst the controversies surrounding their potential role in causing behavioral disinhibition and aggressive behavior and their association with use and trafficking of illicit and addictive substances. The present study aimed to (1) ascertain the relationship between benzodiazepine prescription (including their dosage and duration of use) and aggressive behavior and behavioral disinhibition in prison and (2) investigate whether there was an association between benzodiazepine prescription, (including their dosage and duration of use) and using and trafficking illicit and addictive substances during imprisonment.MethodsData were extracted from the electronic database of an “open” Swiss prison (n = 1206, 1379 measures) over a 5-year period (2010–2015). Measures included benzodiazepine prescription, duration of benzodiazepine use and mean dosage, and punishable behaviors (physical and verbal aggression, disinhibited but not directly aggressive behaviors, property damage or theft, substance-related offenses, and rule transgression). We assessed the relationship between benzodiazepine prescription and punishable behaviors after propensity score matching. Logistic regressions were also used to test the relationship of benzodiazepine use duration and dosage with punishable behaviors among participants who received benzodiazepines.ResultsAfter propensity score matching, benzodiazepine prescription was not significantly associated with any punishable behavior. Among detained persons who took benzodiazepines, there was no significant association of dosage and duration of use with offenses involving illicit or addictive substance use or trafficking.ConclusionsOur study did not empirically support the occurrence of increased aggressive or disinhibited behaviors or increased risk of substance abuse in detained persons who received benzodiazepines in prison. This suggests a need to reconsider restrictions in prescribing benzodiazepines in the prison setting.
Highlights
Benzodiazepines (BZD) are one of the most widely prescribed drugs in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) countries [1,2,3,4,5]
The main aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of BZD prescription on aggressive behaviors and behavioral disinhibition in a Swiss prison
This finding is in line with studies showing that therapeutic doses of BZD are not associated with heightened aggressive behavior [28, 29], but it is in contrast to other research that reports an association between use of BZD and aggressive behavior [1, 24]
Summary
Benzodiazepines (BZD) are one of the most widely prescribed drugs in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) countries [1,2,3,4,5]. They are mainly prescribed to treat sleep disorders, anxiety. Individuals with substance use disorders frequently abuse BZD, which is harmful, especially when various illicit drugs and opioids are combined with BZD [8] In view of these problems, most treatment guidelines do not recommend BZD as first-line treatment for anxiety and related disorders and suggest that they should only be used short-term [9,10,11]. The present study aimed to (1) ascertain the relationship between benzodiazepine prescription (including their dosage and duration of use) and aggressive behavior and behavioral disinhibition in prison and (2) investigate whether there was an association between benzodiazepine prescription, (including their dosage and duration of use) and using and trafficking illicit and addictive substances during imprisonment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
