Benzodiazepine Prescriptions for Homeless Veterans Affairs Service Users With Mental Illness

What is it about?

Benzodiazepine (BZ) prescribing has not been examined for the homeless population, who are at high risk for substance use disorders and overdose deaths. This study examined rates of BZ prescriptions and risky and potentially inappropriate prescribing (RPIP) of BZs in a national sample of homeless service users with mental illness compared to that of housed veterans with mental illness in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, the largest provider of homeless services in the United States. We found that although homeless veterans with mental illness were less likely to be prescribed BZs relative to housed veterans, BZ prescriptions for homeless veterans exhibited more characteristics of RPIP relative to housed users. Attention to more prudent prescribing of BZ in homeless veterans is warranted.

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