Lithuanian pharmacists warn of addiction risk from benzodiazepine sleep aids

Pharmacists and psychiatrists in Lithuania say patients often treat prescribed sedative and hypnotic medicines as harmless, leading to tolerance and dependence. As pharmacist Sigita Korbutaitė explains, “people sometimes consider these drugs a harmless aid… especially older patients who have been using them for ten years or more often cannot fall asleep without them.”

Psychiatrist Laura Andriuškevičienė stresses that such medicines should be used only as part of a short‑term treatment plan, not as a long‑term coping mechanism. She warns that prolonged use can produce cravings, anxiety about running out of medication, and difficulty stopping. Both experts highlight safety concerns: benzodiazepines impair coordination, memory and breathing, increasing fall risk for the elderly and danger for drivers, and their effects are amplified by alcohol – “there is no safe amount of alcohol when taking these drugs.”