Which group is more likely to self-medicate with benzodiazepines?

Which group is more likely to self-medicate with benzodiazepines?

• A. Emergency medicine residents
• B. Anesthesiology residents
• C. Medical residents in internal medicine
• D. Psychiatry residents

Answer: (D)

Self-medication with benzodiazepines is most likely among psychiatry residents because they are most familiar with these medications and have relatively easy access to them within their specialty, combined with the high stress and emotional demands of the field. Their training centers on anxiety disorders, sleep issues, and mood symptoms, so they understand both the effects and potential risks of these drugs, which can make self-use feel like a convenient coping approach. The combination of stress, tolerance for self-management of mental health symptoms, and the perceived normalization of using sedatives in their culture increases the likelihood of self-medication and potential dependence. Other groups may face strong professional or safety considerations that discourage self-use, such as concerns about impairment affecting patient care in fast-paced environments, but they still have stress and access to medications—psychiatry residents remain the group with the highest combination of familiarity, access, and workplace pressures that can drive self-treatment.

Self-medication with benzodiazepines is most likely among psychiatry residents because they are most familiar with these medications and have relatively easy access to them within their specialty, combined with the high stress and emotional demands of the field. Their training centers on anxiety disorders, sleep issues, and mood symptoms, so they understand both the effects and potential risks of these drugs, which can make self-use feel like a convenient coping approach. The combination of stress, tolerance for self-management of mental health symptoms, and the perceived normalization of using sedatives in their culture increases the likelihood of self-medication and potential dependence.

Other groups may face strong professional or safety considerations that discourage self-use, such as concerns about impairment affecting patient care in fast-paced environments, but they still have stress and access to medications—psychiatry residents remain the group with the highest combination of familiarity, access, and workplace pressures that can drive self-treatment.