Benzodiazepines, also known as minor tranquillisers, most commonly prescribed by doctors to relieve stress and anxiety and to help people sleep.

 

As a drug class, benzodiazepines are similar in how they work in the brain but have different potencies, durations of actions, and receptor site affinities.

 

Because of this, some benzodiazepines work better than others in the treatment of particular conditions.

​

However, there is increasing concern among medical professionals about the risks of using these drugs, particularly when they are used for a long time.

 

Some people use benzodiazepines illegally to become intoxicated or to help with the ‘come down’ effects of stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine.

​

​

Benzodiazepine Uses:

 

• Sedative-hypnotics for sleep

• Adjuncts to anesthesia to induce relaxation and amnesia (procedural memory loss)

• To reduce anxiety (anxiolytic)

• Panic disorders

• To treat or prevent seizures

• For alcohol withdrawal

• Muscle relaxant

​

​

How are they used?

 

Benzodiazepines are usually swallowed. Some people also inject them.

 

 

Effects of benzodiazepines

 

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.  Benzodiazepines affect everyone differently, but the effects may include:

 

• Depression

• Confusion

• Feelings of isolation or euphoria

• Impaired thinking and memory loss

• Headache

• Drowsiness, sleepiness and fatigue

• Dry mouth

• Slurred speech or stuttering

• Double or blurred vision

• Impaired coordination, dizziness and tremors 

• Nausea and loss of appetite

• Diarrhoea or constipation

 

 

If a large amount is taken, the following may also be experienced:

 

• Over-sedation or sleep

• Jitteriness and excitability

• Mood swings and aggression

• Slow, shallow breathing

• Unconsciousness or coma

• Death (more likely when taken with another drug such as alcohol)

 

 

Injecting benzodiazepines may also cause:

 

• Vein damage and scarring

• Infection including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS

• Deep vein thrombosis and clots causing loss of limbs, damage to organs, stroke and possibly death

 

 

Injecting drugs repeatedly and sharing injecting equipment with other people increases the risk of experiencing these effects.

 

 

Long-term effects

 

Regular use of benzodiazepines may cause:

 

• Impaired thinking or memory loss

• Anxiety and depression

• Irritability, paranoia and aggression

• Personality change

• Weakness, lethargy and lack of motivation

• Drowsiness, sleepiness and fatigue

• Difficulty sleeping or disturbing dreams

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Skin rashes and weight gain

• Addiction 

• Withdrawal symptoms

 

 

 

Using benzodiazepines with other drugs

 

The effects of taking benzodiazepines with other drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous.  Benzodiazepines used with alcohol or opiates (such as heroin) can cause breathing difficulties, an increased risk of overdose and death.

​