All data must be read in conjunction with the survey limitations.
The graph below shows the average amount of time respondents were taking benzodiazepines both for all surveys and for each type of survey.
The average time that all respondents took benzodiazepines had dropped a little between 2007 and 2009. In 2007 the average amount of 'time on' was 8 years, in 2009 it was 7.2 years. This drop was reflected in each of the survey types, except for those withdrawing or about to withdraw where there was a small increase.
The graph below compares the percentage of respondents in each time period for each of the surveys. The percentage of respondents who had taken benzodiazepines for under 5 year group was slightly higher in the 2009 survey, 57% compared with 53% in 2007. The percentage in the group that had taken benzodiazepines for over 20 years had decreased to 8% in 2009 from 12% in 2007.
This graph shows a more detailed breakdown of the time benzodiazepines were taken.
