Effects of benzodiazepines

 

The effects of any drug vary from person to person. It depends on many factors including an individual's size, weight and health, how the drug is taken, how much is taken, whether the person is used to taking it, the person's mood and whether other drugs are taken. The effects also depend on the environment in which the drug is used - for example, whether the person is alone, with others, or in a social setting. The quality and purity of the drug used will also influence its effects.

Immediate effects

• relaxation, calmness, relief from tension and anxiety
• drowsiness, tiredness, lethargy
• dizziness, vertigo, blurred or double vision
• slurred speech, stuttering
• mild impairment of thought processes and memory
• feelings of isolation and emotional depression

In greater quantities:

• drowsiness, over-sedation, sleep
• confused, slurred speech
• poor co-ordination
• impaired judgement, difficulty thinking clearly
• loss of memory, blurred or double vision and/or dizziness
• mood swings and aggressive outbursts

Bingeing

In the case of benzodiazopines, a ‘binge' is when a person takes a whole pack in one session, rather than on a daily basis. There is a strong possibility that a high level of benzodiazepine will remain in the bloodstream the day after a binge.

Long-term effects

Benzodiazepines can help to relieve anxiety in the short term. However, they do not solve the problem that caused the anxiety in the first place - they treat the symptoms but not the cause. The use of benzodiazepines over a period of more than two to three weeks is not medically recommended.

Long-term use of benzodiazepines may cause:

• drowsiness, lack of motivation
• difficulty thinking clearly, memory loss
• personality change, changes in emotional responses
• anxiety, irritability
• difficulty sleeping, disturbing dreams
• headaches, nausea
• skin rash
• menstrual problems
• sexual problems
• greater appetite, weight gain
• increased risk of accidents, including falling over (older people)