Benzodiazepines
What are Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures. Benzodiazepines are only legally available through prescriptions. Many users maintain their drug supply by getting prescriptions from several doctors, forging prescriptions, or buying them illicitly. Alprazolam and clonazepam are the two most frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market. The common street names include Benzos and Downers. The most common benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Ativan, and Klonopin.
How Do People Use Benzodiazepines?
Abuse is frequently associated with adolescents and young adults who take the drug orally or crush it up and snort it to get high. Abuse is particularly high among heroin and cocaine users. Additionally, opioid users often co-abuse benzodiazepines to enhance euphoria.
The Effects of Benzodiazepines?
Effects on Mind:
Amnesia
Hostility
Irritability
Vivid/disturbing dreams
Effects on the Body
Benzodiazepines slow down the nervous system and may cause extreme sleepiness and a relaxed mood. The intended effects of benzodiazepines are unfortunately very similar to the effects created by an overdose.
Some of the overdose effects include:
Extreme drowsiness
Confusion
Impaired coordination
Decreased Reflexes
Coma
Possible Death
How to Prevent a Benzodiazepine Overdose
Take your medicine exactly as directed. Do not take more of the recommended amount of benzodiazepines each time you take it. Do not take benzodiazepines more often than recommended.
Do not mix benzodiazepines with alcohol, prescription pain pills, or street drugs. The combination of these substances can cause a life-threatening overdose.
Keep benzodiazepines out of the reach of children. Store benzodiazepines in a locked cabinet or in a location that children cannot get to. Ask your healthcare provider how to dispose of any unused benzodiazepine medicines.