Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND)
Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND) is a constellation of functionally limiting neurologic symptoms (both physical and psychological) that are the consequence of neuroadaptation and/or neurotoxicity to benzodiazepine exposure. These symptoms may begin while taking or tapering benzodiazepines, and can persist for weeks, months, or even years after discontinuation.
A team of 23 experts with mostly academic, clinical, and/or lived experience taking benzodiazepines formed the Benzodiazepine Nosology Workgroup. This Workgroup defined the rationale for the selection of BIND as the most appropriate terminology for the enduring effects of benzodiazepine exposure. A scientific paper intended for publication in a major medical journal has been written to explain this process and illustrate the need for consensus in nomenclature and convergence on BIND as the single descriptive term.
A key point in this paper is that there are two different types of difficulty that long-term benzodiazepine users are likely to face. The first difficulty is associated with the reversible neuroadaptive changes in response to benzodiazepine use and the withdrawal symptoms which occur as the benzodiazepine leaves the body; this is the withdrawal syndrome. The second difficulty is due to 1) benzodiazepine neurotoxicity (i.e., the negative alterations in either the structure or function of nerve cells) and 2) some neuroadaptive changes can last long after withdrawal is complete; this is BIND.
For those who are less familiar with benzodiazepines, this podcast from Benzo Free provides essential background information on BIND.