Benzodiazepine Dependence, Toxicity, and Abuse: A Task Force Report of the American Psychiatric Association

This is a landmark report written by the APA in response to growing concerns about the abuse potential of benzodiazepines. Given the popularity of these medications in primary care and other branches of medicine, the psychiatrist is often faced with patients who have become inadvertently addicted. The APA report throws some seriously cold water on the views of "pharmacologic Calvinism" and goes to lengths to point out that most users do not become addicted or abuse these meds. Benzos can be very useful tools in the correct hands. The only caveat with this report is that it was written prior to the widespread introduction of Xanax, which is by far the most commonly addictive and abused member of this class. The monograph is brief and written in a casual but professional style. This classic work should be read by all psychiatrists, not only to benefit our patients but to defend against pharmacologic Calvinism. Anthony J. Vita, MD, MPH Private Practice Naperville, IL