Used medically, benzodiazepines can effectively reduce anxiety and sleeping problems for a short period of time until the body develops a tolerance to the drug. Many people do not realise these drugs are highly addictive, with withdrawals similar to that of heroin, but lasting much longer and potentially fatal if going cold turkey.
Non-medical use of benzos
Benzodiazepines (also known as ‘benzos’) can used as a recreational drug due to its depressant effects. In sufficient doses, the drug can affect emotional reactions, cognitive processes, consciousness and coordination in a similar way to alcohol. Heroin users may use benzos if they can’t obtain heroin, as the drugs have some similar characteristics. For the same reason, benzos can be used to reduce the effects of heroin withdrawal symptoms.
Benzos are sometimes used by users of stimulant drugs such as amphetamines to ease the negative effects when the stimulant drug has worn off. Regular users may inject benzos which poses serious health risks. The pills contain fillers that can cause many circulatory problems without careful filtering before injecting.
Overdose on benzos
Very large doses of a benzo would be needed to cause death. However, when used with other depressant drugs such as alcohol, benzos can be very dangerous as there are much higher risks of overdose, unconsciousness and death. If they cause unconsciousness, there is always the danger of a person choking on their own vomit as well.
Dependency on benzodiazepines
Many people do not realise that it is quite easy to form a physical dependency on benzos. Doctors are very careful to only prescribe them as a short-term medication for this reason, even with small doses. Over a few weeks, the body develops a tolerance to the drug so more is needed to get the same effect. Whether used medically or recreationally, continued use will lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped.
Withdrawal symptoms are similar to those from heroin, although benzo withdrawal takes much longer and can be potentially fatal. It should always be done under medical supervision to avoid the possibility of seizures or death. Symptoms may include headaches, cramps, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sweating, insomnia and irritability.
Do you need to use benzos?
If you have been prescribed benzos by your doctor, make sure you discuss the time period you will be using the drug for, to avoid becoming dependent and facing withdrawal symptoms when stopping. As they are short-term drugs, benzos will never solve the anxiety or sleeping problems you are facing, so if these problems are ongoing, seek counselling or support to address the underlying issues. Remember to keep your prescription medication safely locked away where it won’t be a temptation to others.
Copyright © 2007 Safer Injecting: harm reduction for injecting drug users.