Benzodiazepines

‘Benzos’ is a short name for Benzodiazepines (pronounced ben-zoh-die-az-a-peens). Benzos aren’t one drug but actually a whole category. 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:

Benzos, diaz, tranx, sleepers, downers, serras (Serepax), moggies (Mogadon), normies (Normison) tranquillisers, vallies, xans, xannies, pills, temaz, bricks…

DURATION:

• Benzos usually take about half an hour to start taking effect, however the onset and effects vary because depending on whether someone takes short, medium and long-acting types.
• Onset can also be influenced by how much you take, what you take, what else is still in your system, and your own body.
• Many Benzos have a long half life and can stay in your system days after using even after it feels like the effects have worn off – This is important to remember if using other drugs or taking more.

• in the context of testing: short acting benzos may be detectable in a urine test for up to 24-hours, it could be up to 5 days for medium-acting Benzos, and long-acting Benzos observed in a urine test 1 – 2 weeks after use. Note, Benzos are not typically tested for in Victorian Roadside Tests.

FACTS TO KNOW:

• Benzos mostly come as tablets and capsules and are usually swallowed, but some people do inject them. It is important to speak to a service if you are injecting (or planning to) to make sure you are doing this in the safest way possible. YoDAA is available to guide if you need recommendations near where you live.
• 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 withdrawal effects and can be more addictive.

STAYING AS SAFE AS YOU CAN:

• 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.
• Street benzos are really common these days, cut with various other substances that don’t belong including opiods or chemicals – we recommend testing what you’re taking at the Pill Testing Service and getting on their mailing list to follow their notificaitons.

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 the Australian Drug Foundation in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers that has more information about benzos.