3 ms·

Indeed, and the range is rather large as well for what they cover. Most people have taken a Valium (diazepam) at some point in their life for example.

khoury 11y ago
I would guess most people reading this wouldn't care. And I would also guess that you can guess why. It isn't even close to being a central piece of the story.
Cederfjard 11y ago
I don't know about the UK, which would have been relevant since that's where the author of the piece is from (maybe you do?), but in Sweden it's certainly not true that most people have ever had a Valium (or rather one of the brands that are marketed here). Many may not even know what they are, and if they do, they think of them as something a very ill person or a junkie might take. Swedish physicians are quite restrictive with prescribing benzodiazepines in general - unless you have some serious issues you're not going to get them. This is in contrast to my (very possibly flawed) image of benzodiazepine use in the United States. Going by pop culture and brief discussions with a few Americans, that country pops heavy duty benzos such as Xanax like candy, with their doctors' blessings. I don't have any insight into which approach is more guided by rationality and the well-being of patients, so I'm not making any judgements. My point is that the Swedish journalist might have made a much bigger deal of their role in this mess than an American or possibly a Brit would.
- nommm-nommm 11y ago
  There was a time in the US where people were widely prescribed benzodiazepines for general use but doctors are generally more reluctant to prescribe them now because their long-term affects are now now well known. Benzos work very, very well in the short term however they are usually counterproductive in the long term. They are still used in acute medical settings. For things like drug withdraw in a medical facility and for medical procedures such as colonoscopies. They are a component in twilight anesthesia. For example, I was prescribed a benzodiazepine in an emergency room to get me to sleep because I was staying overnight in that ER however they are very rarely prescribed for insomnia at home (anymore).[1] I'm sure Sweden uses them in acute medical settings as well because they are very effective in that role. [1] Nonbenzodiazepine medicines known as "Z drugs" are now the widely prescribed insomnia medicines despite their downfalls and risk of dependence.
  - Cederfjard 11y ago
    >There was a time in the US where people were widely prescribed benzodiazepines for general use but doctors are generally more reluctant to prescribe them now because their long-term affects are now now well known. I see, so perhaps my notions are just outdated then. Thanks for setting me straight. I still believe it's possible though that the average American may be more familiar and comfortable with the thought of using benzodiazepines than the average Swede. >I'm sure Sweden uses them in acute medical settings as well because they are very effective in that role. That's certainly true, I know from personal experience that you are right about that.
    - nommm-nommm 11y ago
      >the average American may be more familiar and comfortable with the thought of using benzodiazepines than the average Swede. Of course, America went through a culture of benzo use whereas Sweden did not.
      - Cederfjard 11y ago
        Yes, that remark might have been a bit redundant.
- kozukumi 11y ago
  I am from the UK and have been prescribed a few benzos over the years for different things. They are prescribed although not as often as in America by the sounds of things. I think Valium is the most prescribed but only for short term use in the cases of anxiety and related issues.

khoury 11y ago

I would guess most people reading this wouldn't care. And I would also guess that you can guess why. It isn't even close to being a central piece of the story.

Cederfjard 11y ago

I don't know about the UK, which would have been relevant since that's where the author of the piece is from (maybe you do?), but in Sweden it's certainly not true that most people have ever had a Valium (or rather one of the brands that are marketed here). Many may not even know what they are, and if they do, they think of them as something a very ill person or a junkie might take. Swedish physicians are quite restrictive with prescribing benzodiazepines in general - unless you have some serious issues you're not going to get them. This is in contrast to my (very possibly flawed) image of benzodiazepine use in the United States. Going by pop culture and brief discussions with a few Americans, that country pops heavy duty benzos such as Xanax like candy, with their doctors' blessings. I don't have any insight into which approach is more guided by rationality and the well-being of patients, so I'm not making any judgements. My point is that the Swedish journalist might have made a much bigger deal of their role in this mess than an American or possibly a Brit would.

nommm-nommm 11y ago
There was a time in the US where people were widely prescribed benzodiazepines for general use but doctors are generally more reluctant to prescribe them now because their long-term affects are now now well known. Benzos work very, very well in the short term however they are usually counterproductive in the long term. They are still used in acute medical settings. For things like drug withdraw in a medical facility and for medical procedures such as colonoscopies. They are a component in twilight anesthesia. For example, I was prescribed a benzodiazepine in an emergency room to get me to sleep because I was staying overnight in that ER however they are very rarely prescribed for insomnia at home (anymore).[1] I'm sure Sweden uses them in acute medical settings as well because they are very effective in that role. [1] Nonbenzodiazepine medicines known as "Z drugs" are now the widely prescribed insomnia medicines despite their downfalls and risk of dependence.
- Cederfjard 11y ago
  >There was a time in the US where people were widely prescribed benzodiazepines for general use but doctors are generally more reluctant to prescribe them now because their long-term affects are now now well known. I see, so perhaps my notions are just outdated then. Thanks for setting me straight. I still believe it's possible though that the average American may be more familiar and comfortable with the thought of using benzodiazepines than the average Swede. >I'm sure Sweden uses them in acute medical settings as well because they are very effective in that role. That's certainly true, I know from personal experience that you are right about that.
  - nommm-nommm 11y ago
    >the average American may be more familiar and comfortable with the thought of using benzodiazepines than the average Swede. Of course, America went through a culture of benzo use whereas Sweden did not.
    - Cederfjard 11y ago
      Yes, that remark might have been a bit redundant.
kozukumi 11y ago
I am from the UK and have been prescribed a few benzos over the years for different things. They are prescribed although not as often as in America by the sounds of things. I think Valium is the most prescribed but only for short term use in the cases of anxiety and related issues.