Level and factors of benzodiazepines misuse in Albania

Background There is little evidence on benzodiazepine misuse and associated factorsin transitional countries of the Western Balkans. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the level and socioeconomic correlates of misuse of benzodiazepine drugs in the Albanian adult population. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study including a representative sample of 422 individuals (158 men and 264 women) who were benzodiazepines users. A structured questionnaire included data on age, gender, type of drug used, and awareness of possibility to develop dependence and continuation of therapy after prescription. Results 289 individuals reported treatment continuation compared with 89 participants who reported no continuation of benzodiazepine drugs. There were no significant age group (P = 0.351), sex (P = 0.454), or educational differences (P = 0.117) in treatment continuation. Age was inversely related to the awareness of becoming dependent with the prolonged use of benzodiazepines (78.4 % of the persons aged a parts per thousand currency sign40 years were aware of the dependence versus 51.9 % in the age group > 40 years; P = 0.002). Conclusion Our study provides pioneering evidence on the use and misuse of benzodiazepines in Albania. Findings from this study may influence the reforms and policy formulation related to drug misuse in Albania