Hazardous use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics (Q50799)

A pattern of use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics that appreciably increases the risk of harmful physical or mental health consequences to the user or to others to an extent that warrants attention and advice from health professionals. The increased risk may be from the frequency of use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics, from the amount used on a given occasion, from risky behaviours associated with use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics or the context of use, from a harmful route of administration, or from a combination of these. The risk may be related to short-term effects of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics or to longer-term cumulative effects on physical or mental health or functioning. Hazardous use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics has not yet reached the level of having caused harm to physical or mental health of the user or others around the user. The pattern of use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics often persists in spite of awareness of increased risk of harm to the user or to others.