It's not that easy!

The most frequently prescribed depressants are the benzodiazepines, which act as hypnotics in high doses, anxiolytics in moderate doses, and sedatives in low doses.They are used therapeutically to produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures, and, generally, are known as drugs that affect central nervous system function.

There are several types of benzodiazepines classified after their type of action. The short acting benzodiazepines are used for patients with sleep-onset insomnia (difficulty falling asleep) without daytime anxiety, and some of them prior to anesthesia. Can be found as an injectable preparation and as a syrup

(primarily for pediatric patients). Those with a longer duration of action are utilized to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety, and some of them are also used as anticonvulsants.

Although the benzodiazepines are considered in the medical field as depressants, repeated use of large doses or, in some cases, daily use of therapeutic doses of benzodiazepines can lead to amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams, as well as tolerance and physical dependence. The problem is that the withdrawal syndrome is similar to that of alcohol and may require hospitalization.

Unfortunately, the abuse of benzodiazepines is frequently associated with adolescents and young adults who take them to obtain a “high, combining them with the use of alcohol or other depressant, wich consumed with benzodiazepines can be life threatening. On the street are known as “rophies”, “roofies”, “roach”, etc. They also gained popularity among younger individuals as a “party” drug.

Abuse of benzodiazepines is particularly high among heroin and cocaine abusers. A large percentage of people entering treatment for narcotic or cocaine addiction also report abusing benzodiazepines. Alprazolam and diazepam are the two most frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market.

One of the most dangerous is flunitrazepam, which is not manufactured or legally marketed, known as “date rape” drug. Usually, flunitrazepam is placed in the alcoholic drink of an unsuspecting victim to incapacitate them and prevent resistance from sexual assault. The victim is frequently unaware of what has happened to them and often does not report the incident to authorities.

Benzodiazepines do have legitimate medical uses but they are very easy to abuse. We strongly recommend to everyone reading this article to stay out of benzodiazepines use, however, if you or someone close to you have problems with drug addiction, we suggest you to visit DrugRehabServices.com.