I believe dayzee is confusing *barbituates* with benzodiazepines. Barbituates (phenobarbital, secobarbital or Seconal) are very rarely used these days because of the potential for overdose with alcohol. Benzodiazepines are difficult, not impossible though, to overdose on. I've seen people overdose on huge quanities and recover.

Dayzee is right that sometimes people become phobic of even small amounts of anxiety and attempt to use benzos to eliminate all anxiety, which becomes a new problem. However many, many people are capable of using them as tools to enhance, not replace coping. They are of course best used as temporary medications to help people get through rough times.