Benzodiazepines

WHAT ARE BENZODIAZEPINES?

Benzos is a short name for Benzodiazepines (pronounced ben-zoh-die-az-a-peens). Benzos aren’t one drug but actually a whole heap. Benzos are depressant drugs which mean they slow the messages from your brain to your body which slows reaction times and breathing and heart rate.

OTHER NAMES:

Brand name: Xanax (Alprazolam), Valium, Diaxepam, Serepax, Mogadon, Normison, Temazapam, Sleeping pills and tranquilisers.
Nickname: Benzos, Diaz, Vallies, Tranx, Sleepers, Downers, Serras, Moggies, Normies, Temazes, Bricks, Zannies.

EFFECTS:

• Benzos mostly come as tablets and capsules and are usually swallowed but some people do inject them. It is important to talk to a service if you are injecting to make sure you are doing this in the safest way possible
• Know what you’re taking. There is a huge difference between different types of benzos and how long the effects of each last.
• Benzos can give a sense of calmness, relaxation and sleepiness
• Short acting benzos like Xanax, Temazepam or Serepax will have stronger come down effects
• DURATION
• The effects of benzos vary because there are short, medium and long acting types. Once the effects of benzos have worn off they can stay in your system from 1 – 3 days which is important to remember if using other drugs.
• OVERDOSE
• Slow breathing, cold and clammy skin, blue lips, inability to be roused or woken. An ambulance should be called if any of these symptoms occur.

SOME COMMON HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES

Encourage a young person to: –

• Mixing benzos with other drugs especially other depressants like alcohol or heroin increases your risk of overdose
• Overdose symptoms are slow breathing, cold and clammy skin, bluish lips, or an inability to be woken. An ambulance should be called if any of these symptoms occur.
• Dependence on Benzos can mean really strong withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, anxiety and depression and even seizures. It is important to seek help from services if you plan to cut down your benzo use to avoid any of these withdrawal symptoms.

This is only a little bit of information check out this fact sheet from Harm Reduction Victoria that has heaps more info.

Or there’s this article from ADF in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers that has more information about benzos.