| The benzodiazepines popular as "benzos" are a | | | | • Dizziness |
| class of psychoactive drugs with varying hypnotic, | | | | • Drowsiness |
| sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant | | | | • Headache |
| and amnesic properties, which act by slowing | | | | • Impaired coordination |
| down the central nervous system. | | | | • Jaundice |
| Benzodiazepines are useful in treating anxiety, | | | | • Paradoxical reactions |
| insomnia, agitation, seizures, and muscle spasms, | | | | • Sleeping disorders |
| as well as alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are | | | | • Trembling |
| used in secondary drug of abuse that means, | | | | • Upset stomach |
| used mainly to supplement the high received from | | | | Effects of long term usage: |
| another drug or to offset the adverse effects of | | | | Long-term benzodiazepine usage leads to |
| other drugs. | | | | tolerance and/or drug dependence coupled with |
| Effects of Abuse: | | | | benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Long-term |
| Benzodiazepines produce a range of effects from | | | | use of benzodiazepines has the potential to cause |
| depressing to stimulating the central nervous | | | | both physical and psychological dependence, |
| system by modulating the most prevalent | | | | including severe withdrawal symptoms. |
| inhibitory receptor within the brain. Severe | | | | Benzodiazepines, and in particular temazepam, are |
| behavioral changes resulting from benzodiazepines | | | | sometimes used intravenously, which can lead to |
| usage can occur including mania, schizophrenia, | | | | medical complications including abscesses, cellulitis, |
| anger, impulsivity, and hypomania. Individuals with | | | | thrombophlebitis, arterial puncture, deep vein |
| borderline personality disorder appear to have a | | | | thrombosis, hepatitis B and C, HIV or AIDS, |
| greater risk of experiencing severe behavioral or | | | | overdose and gangrene. |
| psychiatric disturbances from benzodiazepines. | | | | Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms occur when |
| Aggression and violent outbursts can also occur | | | | benzodiazepine usage is reduced or stopped. |
| with benzodiazepines, particularly when usage | | | | Abrupt or over-rapid dosage reduction can |
| combined with alcohol. Recreational abusers and | | | | produce severe withdrawal symptoms. Gradual |
| patients with high-dose usage are at an even | | | | and slow dosage reduction also leads to |
| greater risk of experiencing paradoxical reactions. | | | | withdrawal symptoms but are not serious. |
| The following are the side effects, which may | | | | This information gives you an insight into the |
| occur from the use of benzodiazepines. | | | | effects caused by the abuse of benzodiazepine, |
| • Blurred vision | | | | which helps you in keeping away yourself and |
| • Changes in heart rate | | | | your dear ones from abusing drugs like |
| • Chest pain | | | | Amphetamines. |
| • Depression | | | | |