Benzodiazepine misuse and alcohol co-use in college student drinkers: Motives and adverse mental health outcomes

Objective: Benzodiazepine misuse is most common in young adults, can occur simultaneously with other substance use (i.e., co-use), and lead to adverse outcomes. The present study examined mental health correlates and motives underlying benzodiazepine misuse and alcohol co-use among college student drinkers.

Participants: Participants included 1,992 college student drinkers (Mage = 19.19) from six U.S. universities.

Methods: Cross-sectional self-report measures assessed addictive behaviors and mental health and were analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons.

Results: Lifetime benzodiazepine misuse and past-year benzodiazepine and alcohol co-use were endorsed by 3.1% and 0.7% of the sample, respectively, and associated with greater alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, emotion dysfunction, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and depression. Coping and self-treatment were the most frequently reported motives for misuse and co-use.

Conclusions: These findings inform prevention strategies for benzodiazepine misuse and co-use, including screening and educational efforts, to mitigate adverse outcomes in the college population.Objective: Benzodiazepine misuse is most common in young adults, can occur simultaneously with other substance use (i.e., co-use), and lead to adverse outcomes. The present study examined mental health correlates and motives underlying benzodiazepine misuse and alcohol co-use among college student drinkers.

Participants: Participants included 1,992 college student drinkers (Mage = 19.19) from six U.S. universities.

Methods: Cross-sectional self-report measures assessed addictive behaviors and mental health and were analyzed using ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons.

Results: Lifetime benzodiazepine misuse and past-year benzodiazepine and alcohol co-use were endorsed by 3.1% and 0.7% of the sample, respectively, and associated with greater alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, emotion dysfunction, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and depression. Coping and self-treatment were the most frequently reported motives for misuse and co-use.

Conclusions: These findings inform prevention strategies for benzodiazepine misuse and co-use, including screening and educational efforts, to mitigate adverse outcomes in the college population.