A Prospective Study to use and Misuse of Benzodiazepines to Different Examined Groups by Education in R. Macedonia

The purpose of this research is to depict the use of benzodiazepines in the Republic of Macedonia, according to different characteristics, combining alcohol and illegal toxic substances, the most common reasons for using them, symptoms arising from sudden cessation of use, modes of supply of the drug, increase of the dose alone, analyzed within groups of respondents divided according to gender, age and type of education (health professionals, non-medical persons). The research is conducted using a prospective survey in The Republic of Macedonia. In 2012 year, the third most commonly used benzodiazepine is diazepam (5.04%), whereas alprazolam is used with 2.64%. They are more used to group with non-medical education (81.5%), are bought without prescription 11.14%, mostly between the persons with non-medical education (81.08%). Sudden and unplanned cessation of the therapy with benzodiazepines is reported in 19.28 % of the respondents, whereas 22.27 % of them have had withdrawal symptoms or other symptoms. 11.90 % increased the dosage of the therapy on their own, without consultations with a doctor. The use of benzodiazepines in the R. Macedonia has increased in the latest years, covering the youth population, and is indicating a larger use between the persons who are not medical educated, which suggests a lower degree o