DEA Drug Fact Sheet: Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and reduce seizures.

What are Benzodiazepines?

These drugs are central nervous system depressants used for a variety of medical purposes. They are categorized by their duration of action:

• Short-acting: Used to manage insomnia (e.g., ProSom®, Dalmane®, Restoril®, and Halcion®) or for sedation and amnesia in critical care and prior to anesthesia (e.g., Versed®).
• Long-acting: Utilized to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety. Examples include Xanax®, Librium®, Tranxene®, Valium®, Paxipam®, Ativan®, Serax®, Centrax®, and Doral®.
• Anticonvulsants: Specific benzodiazepines like Klonopin®, Valium®, and Tranxene® are also used as anticonvulsants.

Origin and Availability

• Legal Status: Benzodiazepines are only legally available through a prescription.
• Illicit Market: Users may obtain supplies by “doctor shopping,” forging prescriptions, or buying them illicitly. Alprazolam and clonazepam are the two most frequently encountered on the illicit market.
• Street Names: Common names include “Benzos” and “Downers”.

Methods of Abuse

Abuse is frequently seen in adolescents and young adults who take the drug orally or crush it to snort it. Abuse is particularly high among:

• Heroin and cocaine users.
• Opioid users, who may co-abuse benzodiazepines to enhance euphoria.

Effects of Use

Effect on the Mind

Benzodiazepines are associated with:

• Amnesia.
• Hostility and irritability.
• Vivid or disturbing dreams.

Effect on the Body

These substances slow down the central nervous system, which may cause:

• Sleepiness.
• A relaxed mood.
• Development of tolerance at variable rates and degrees.

Overdose Effects

The effects of an overdose can include extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, respiratory depression, coma, and possible death.

Concomitant Use with Opioids: Using benzodiazepines and opioids together is particularly dangerous and can lead to profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Legal Status in the United States

Benzodiazepines are controlled in Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act.

Similar Substances

Drugs that cause similar effects include alcohol, barbiturates, sleeping pills, and GHB.