Valium-Drug-Facts
Valium-Drug-Facts The chemical name is DIAZEPAM and falls under the benzodiazepine group (benzos). Medically, drugs in the benzodiazepine group (benzos) are used for a number of
purposes. They are often lumped together as MINOR TRANQUILLISERS (tranx).
Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed as sedatives, to combat anxiety, as
skeletal muscle relaxants, anti-epileptics and anti-convulsants. However, some
benzodiazepines leak onto the street, and are quite widely misused.
More recently, benzodiazepines, especially diazepam, have been illicitly imported in to
the United States. Some have been ordered on-line from one of the many Internet Pharmacies. Some of
these tablets are fake, or variable quality. However, these imported tablets have
meant that benzodiazepines remain widely used and available, even though the number
of prescribed drugs has decreased in recent years.
The most frequently available drugs are those with italicised slang names above. Valium,
Temazepam and Rohypnol are the most commonly available on the illicit market.
The appearance of each drug varies widely from drug-company to
drug-company. Most come as tablets, in a variety of shapes, colours and strengths. A
few also come in preparations for injection, such as Valium ampoules, which command a
higher street value.
Diazepam (Valium) are
typically 5mg or 10mg tablets: 10mg tablets are generally blue, the 5mg tablets are white
or yellow, though this is not always the case. Temazepam often comes in small eggshaped
caplets, or as tablets.
Assuming that the pills are correctly identified and genuine, quality is
assured. However, it is difficult to correctly identify all of the drugs in this family by eye,
let alone assay the strength, so mistakes in strength and name are frequent amongst
those purchasing outside medical spheres. Some illicitly produced, imported
benzodiazepines are of variable strength.
Tablets are designed for oral use, though some users crush and
inject tablets.
They induce physical relaxation, and reduce stress and anxiety. Drowsiness
and sleepiness are often present. In addition, they may cause forgetfulness, slurred
speech, clumsiness and confusion. Some users experience depression and, paradoxically,
a few users become over-excited or violent.
Some users gain a feeling of invulnerability or invisibility when using benzodiazepines.
Some people find this useful when, for example, shoplifting.
When used within a supervised medical regime,
benzodiazepines should not be used for extensive periods as tolerance develops rapidly
and withdrawal can be an unpleasant and, in some cases, dangerous process. After a few
weeks, and certainly within a few months, they cease to be effective at promoting sleep
and subsequently cease to be effective in reducing anxiety. Indeed, the converse
becomes true; without increasing the dose, a user is liable to experience insomnia,
anxiety, tremors and, in severe cases convulsions.
Current prescribing practice is to prescribe at the lowest doses possible for the
shortest period possible, and discouraging long-term prescribing. People who have been
on long-term prescriptions should be having their prescriptions reviewed and, where
feasible, reduced.
Withdrawal from Benzodiazepines, especially when they have been used for more than a
month, should only be done under medical supervision. IT IS POSSIBLE TO DIE DUE
TO SEVERE BENZODIAZEPINE WITHDRAWAL.
There is a low risk of fatal overdose; this risk is raised through ignorance as to the
strength of various tablets. Risks are exacerbated when benzodiazepines are combined
with other depressant drugs such as alcohol or heroin. The presence of benzodiazepines
is a significant factor in opiate-induced overdoses.
When tablets are crushed for injection, this brings with it a range of associated health
risks. Of specific concern are Temazepam Capsules. These capsules were originally
introduced as a response to growing concern over Temazepam tablets being crushed
for injection. The capsules contained a viscous jelly that was intended to discourage
injecting. However, users found that heating the jelly made it become liquid, and so
injected it. However, at lower temperature, such as at body temperature, the gel
solidifies, and a large number of gruesome injecting injuries were reported.
Benzodiazepines were introduced and have largely
supplanted the BARBITURATE group of drugs, which were widely prescribed and
widely misused in the seventies. They were seen as preferential to barbiturates as the
risks of overdose, dependence and side-effects were thought to be less. They are very
widely prescribed; some critics argue that they are over-prescribed, and do not tackle
the causes, merely masking symptoms temporarily.
They are used recreationally in a number of settings. Some people combine
benzodiazepines with alcohol to enhance and increase intoxication. Some stimulant
users take benzodiazepines to alleviate the "come-down" from speed, Ecstasy or cocaine,
and to promote sleep.
It is not uncommon for dependent heroin users to use benzodiazepines when heroin is
unavailable, or to use them to help offset some of the symptoms of withdrawal. The use
of benzos on top of prescribed opiates - such as with methadone or subutex - is also
common as it can make the effects of the opiates feel stronger. Such use increases risk
of overdose.
A few people self-medicate with benzodiazepines to alleviate mental discomfort caused
by mental health problems, painful memories, or to escape unpleasant circumstances.
For such users, where unsupervised use may be long-term and extensive, careful
assessment of needs, of underlying reason for the drug use, and comprehensive care
plans are likely to be needed to achieve reduction and cessation of drug use.
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DRUG-FACTS
