Benzodiazepines Category: Sedatives

(also called: benzos, jellies, sleepers, moggies, roofies, downers, eggs, rugby balls, D5s, D10s, roche)

How it’s used

Benzodiazepines are a sedative (‘downer’). You can get them as a tablet, capsule, injection or suppository. They are prescribed to reduce anxiety or stress, encourage sleep or to relax muscles. You can use them to ease the comedown from stimulant drugs (‘uppers’) such as ecstasy, cocaine and speed or with other ‘downer’ drugs such as alcohol and heroin.

Short-term effects

They can begin to affect you after 10 to 15 minutes and last up to 6 hours
Depresses your nervous system and slows your body down
Relieves stress, anxiety and tension and can make you more calm and relaxed
You can become drowsy, forgetful and confused which can lead to accidents

Long-term effects

Short-term memory loss
They may lose their effect as ‘sleeping pills’ after only two weeks of continuous use. They no longer control anxiety after four months of regular use.

Other dangers

Very dangerous if you stop suddenly
Mixing them with other downers like alcohol or heroin increases your risk of fatal overdose
Injecting tablets or capsules is very dangerous and can cause septicaemia (blood poisoning), abscesses, thrombosis, gangrene, loss of limbs and even death
You are at risk of HIV and hepatitis if you share injecting equipment
Rohypnol has been linked with ‘date rapes’ and sexual assaults

If you are pregnant

If you use benzos during pregnancy, there is a higher risk of your baby being born with a cleft palate (an abnormality of the lip or mouth). Using high doses before you deliver can seriously affect your baby’s breathing at birth and may kill them. Your baby may have withdrawal for up to 2-4 weeks after delivery and may find it difficult to suck. Your baby may be at greater risk of cot death.

Addictive

You can quickly become addicted to benzodiazepines physically, so your body craves it, and psychologically, so you find it hard to cope with life without it. Because your tolerance increases over time, you have to keep taking more to get the same buzz.

Withdrawal

The effects of benzodiazepines can last up to 24 hours. Withdrawal symptoms can begin between one and seven days after your last dose and can last for several months. Symptoms include anxiety, confusion and serious convulsions (‘benzo fits’). These can be dangerous and you may need medical help.

How long does it stay in your system?

Benzodiazepineswill show up in a urine test for 2-28 days. (The length of time depends on the test used, the amount you take, if you have other medical conditions and your own metabolism. Please use this figure as a guide only.)

What help is available?

Self-help support such as Narcotics Anonymous
Counselling or psychotherapy
Complementary therapies such as acupuncture
Support from your doctor to reduce and withdraw
Residential treatment programmes (clinics)
Aftercare
One to one or group family support
Contact the Drugs Helpline 1800 459 459 to find out about options in your area

« Back to Types of Drugs page