Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs which may have useful effects in dealing with anxiety prevention, treating epileptic seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and insomnia. However, there’s a sting in this tale. Prolonged use can be addictive.

 Librium (the first benzo) was discovered by accident in 1954, and then deliberately again in 1957, when Austrian scientist Leo Sternbach found that it was an effective tranquiliser. In 1963, Diazepam (valium) followed it onto the market, followed by nitrazepam (mogadon)(1967), temazepam (1969) and flurazepam (1973) as well as a string of related prescription drugs.

However, be warned that side effects can and do happen. Rebound insomnia is common if they’re abruptly discontinued, and drowsiness may continue if any long-acting benzos are used. Elderly users may retain metabolic byproducts for longer. Unfortunately too, some short-acting benzos may prodcue tolerance effects, withdrawal craving and addiction, if taken for long duration periods.

Drowsiness, disorientation, nausea, visual impairment, headaches, depression, muscle spasms, cardiac irregularities, weakness, amnesia, chest pain, nightmares and other negative side-effects may also ensue if one is addicted.

It is contraindicated for people with borderline personality disorder, may be fetotoxic to pregnant women, and elderly users may find that they are sufficiently disoriented to suffer falls and hip fractures as a result of any excessive intake. Some research also indicates that a combination of tricyclic antidepressants and benzos are implicated in parental physical abuse of one’s children,

How long does it take to develop an addiction to benzodiazepines? Studies have found that even regular low-dose benzos can trigger the dependence, craving, tolerance and withdrawal cycle over a mere three to six week period. In some cases, severe withdrawal symptoms can result in anxiety, disorientation, and (rarely) psychosis and epileptic withdrawals. It should be noted that the above were only verified after twenty years of active use, during the eighties.

To wean someone off benzos, gradual withdrawal is usually best, or transferal onto longer acting older benzos like librium or valium.

Deliberate abuse can wreak further damage, if taken intravenously. Clinical research has found that injecting benzos may lead to abcesses, cellulose degeneration, deep vein thrombosis and gangrene. It may also result in greater susceptibility to HIV/AIDS through sufficient disorientation to provoke dirty shared needle useage, as well as behavioural disturbance and an overall reduced life expectancy.

Flunitrazepam (rohypnol) and temazepam are banned in New Zealand, and while other benzodiazepines aren’t, it is illegal to distribute or traffic in these legal substances.

Also, keep an eye out to insure that someone doesn’t slip rohypnol, temazepam or midazolam into your drinks. All of them have been used as ‘date rape’ drugs, while alprozalam has been used to facilitate incestuous abuse.

Don’t feel bad if you realise that you are hooked on benzos. It can even happen to venerable, empowered and knowledgeable veteran feminists like Australia’s Beatrice Faust. As I can’t think of a better biographical account of the hazards involved, I’ve included her book, Benzo Junkie (1993), about her experience of addiction below:

Recommended:

Beatrice Faust: Benzo Junkie: Ringwood, Victoria: Viking: 1993.