Increase in awareness and diagnosis thought to drive increase in SHA use disorder

Substance use disorders (SUDs) specific to sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytics — have increased by 3‐ to 5‐times among adolescent and young adult enrollees of Medicaid from 2001 to 2019, but prevalence remained low among adolescents, researchers have found. The study attributed the increase in use disorders of these medications, many of which are benzodiazepines, to the increase in availability of these medications, as well as to the increased awareness and detection of these disorders.