Prescribing is a major clinical activity and a key therapeutic tool for influencing the health of patients. When certain psychoactive drugs are inappropriately prescribed there is potential for patients to become dependent or suffer withdrawal symptoms, leading to a range of health and social harms. The prescription of a number of these drugs continues to rise mainly because of longer term use, and this issue is becoming increasingly ingrained with complex medical, political and ethical challenges. Too little is known about prescribing patterns, the levels of dependence and withdrawal, and the level of harm that is being caused. There is also too little research about the long-term effects of these drugs.

This analysis report has been developed following the board of science’s call for evidence undertaken in March 2014. It aims to provide a platform for action to improve the prevention, identification and management of dependence and withdrawal associated with prescribed drugs, and has a particular focus on the prescribed use of benzodiazepines, z-drugs, opioids and antidepressants.