Benzodiazepines

 

These are the most commonly prescribed class of tranquillizers

Scientific Names

Diazepam (Valium), Flurazepam, Lorazepam, Nitrazepam, Temazepam, Triazolam .

Street Names

Moggies, Vallies, Jellies, Eggs, blues, yellows, nicknames based around brand names 

Effects

Depressants. Sedative drugs Users will feel relaxed and often drowsy. They will experience a reduction in stress/anxiety and will often become forgetful, clumsy and confused.

Drug Form & Method of Use

Usually oral use, sometimes injected. Benzodiazepines usually come as a tablet or capsule that is swallowed. They are the most commonly prescribed drugs and include well-known names such as Valium, Ativan and Temazepam. They are prescribed to twice as many women as men. Street use has grown with people taking tablets sometimes in combination with other drugs. Some people began injecting Temazepam as a substitute for Heroin.

Health Risks

Long-term use can result in users suffering from depression. There is also a significant risk of overdose if benzodiazepines are mixed with other depressant drugs (e.g. heroin or alcohol). If these drugs are used over an extended period (several months) they cease to be effective at promoting sleep and reducing anxiety and may then cause insomnia, anxiety, tremors and even convulsions. If benzodiazepines are injected, the tablets are usually crushed first and then made into a solution. Some will not dissolve easily and there can be an increased risk of injection site injuries such as abscesses.

Tolerance

Tolerance develops fairly rapidly and withdrawal from benzodiazepines should only be done under medical supervision as severe benzodiazepine withdrawal can be dangerous/fatal.

Law

Most benzodiazepines are class ‘C' drugs which it is not an offence to possess. Temazepam however has been reclassified as a Schedule 3 drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations and it is an offence to possess it unless it has been prescribed for you.

 

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