Benzodiazepines

Rohyphol (date rape drug)
Triazolam
Temazepam
Nitrazepam


Benzodiazepines
Street use
• Benzodiazepines are swallowed in large numbers or can be injected by crushing tablets or injecting jelly from capsules.

• Dose levels vary but daily doses of 20 times the normal therapeutic range have been reported. Benzodiazepines are often mixed with other drugs

Effect
• Benzodiazepines are depressants or 'downers'. They can act on the part of the brain associated with anxiety, reduce tension and induce sleep. Even at low doses benzodiazepines can affect mental and physical functioning, but less so than alcohol.

• At higher doses they produce 'drunken' and sometimes aggressive behaviour. Surprisingly, mixing bezodiazepines with other 'downers' such as barbiturates, alcohol or opiates produce a stimulant effect, which increases alertness and confidence.

Dependence
• At low doses within the therapeutic range, tolerance does not develop to any great extent and only small increases in doses are reported over time. But among street users who are using large amounts, tolerance to the sedative effects (but not to the calming effects) develops rapidly and doses escalate.

• Dependence can also develop quickly and some people report withdrawal symptoms after only four weeks use at therapeutic (low) doses. People vary in the severity of symptoms they experience. Among long term and heavy users panic attacks, feelings of unreality, distortion of perceptions, sweating, restlessness and tremor are common.

• Sudden withdrawal from benzodiazepines is dangerous as seizures can occur, Therefore withdrawal from the drug should be gradual and conducted under medical supervision. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be distressing because symptoms often last for many months.

Long term effects
• The effects of long term use of benzodiazepines include mental confusion, memory loss, depression, aggressive behaviour and loss of physical coordination. Injecting with dirty or used needles can cause serious infections like hepatitis B, blood poisoning and HIV infection. Injecting crushed tablets or jelly (from green capsules) can cause serious circulation problems and in some cases loss of limbs.

Overdose
• Death from overdose is rare with this group of drugs because large doses are needed but the risksare high if benzodiazepines are mixed with other 'downer' like opiates, barbiturates or alcohol.

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