Benzodiazepines (prescription drugs)

Benzodiazepines, also known sleeping pills or tranquillisers, are prescribed by doctors to relieve stress and anxiety and to help people with insomnia or sleeping problems. However, some people use benzodiazepines illegally, to become intoxicated.

Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs and like other depressants work by slowing down the activity of the central nervous system. In the short term, they can help with relaxation, calmness and relief from tension and anxiety. Used more frequently, they do little to solve the problem that caused the anxiety in the first place and they can have a range of unwanted side effects.

Benzodiazepines usually come in the form of tablets and capsules and are generally stamped with their name and milligram quantity.  Common forms include Valium and Serapax.

Benzodiazepines are prescribed as sedatives/hypnotics (to induce sleep) or anxiolytics (to relieve anxiety). They vary in how quickly they work and how long their effects last. They are also used to treat epilepsy, to relax muscles, to help people withdraw from alcohol, or as an anaesthetic before surgery.  The use of benzodiazepines over a long period of time (more than two to three weeks) should be carefully monitored by a doctor.

Effects of benzodiazepines

The unwanted negative effects of benzodiazepines vary according to dose.

Low to moderate doses - The immediate effects of low to moderate doses include mild impairment of thought processes, memory and coordination; drowsiness, tiredness and lethargy; dizziness; vertigo; and blurred or double vision. 

Higher doses - Higher doses can result in drowsiness, over-sedation and sleep. They may produce an effect similar to alcohol intoxication. Other effects may include confusion, slurred speech, poor coordination, impaired judgement, and difficulty thinking clearly, loss of memory, blurred or double vision and/or dizziness. Mood swings and aggressive outbursts may also occur.

Overdose - Very high doses of benzodiazepines can cause respiratory depression, unconsciousness or coma. Death rarely occurs from overdose of benzodiazepines alone, but deaths may occur if large doses are combined with alcohol or other drugs.

Withdrawal

If a dependent person suddenly stops taking benzodiazepines, or severely cuts down their dose, they may experience physical withdrawal symptoms as their body readjusts to functioning without the drug. Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines can be quite severe and can include insomnia, depression, anxiety, headaches, dizziness and mood swings. 

People who have been using benzodiazepines for more than a month should not suddenly stop taking them without seeing a doctor or health worker.

Treatment

For people who use benzodiazepines for non-medical purposes, there are a number of drug treatment options. Some aim solely for the user to achieve a drug-free lifestyle. Others recognise that the overall aim of reducing harm/risks related to a person's drug use, rather than abstinence, is a more achievable and realistic goal.

Treatment is more effective if tailored to suit a person's circumstances and usually involves a combination of methods. The different options include counselling, group therapy and supervised/home withdrawal.

Sources of information:

DrungInfo Clearinghouse - Australian Drug Foundation

Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre 

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