An Educational Perspective Based on Information Contained In The Indiana Prevention Resource Center Factline on Benzodiazepines ®

By the end of this presentation: you will have… (1) Been exposed to general information about Benzodiazepines. (2) Learned some basic facts about Benzodiazepine users in Indiana. (3) Viewed the potential consequences of Benzodiazepines use, both short-term and long- term. (4) Learned about prevention efforts in Indiana. Indiana Prevention Resource Center

Benzodiazepines, which are sometimes referred to as “bennies”, are psychotherapeutic sedatives used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, short-term sleep disorders, insomnia, and seizures. These drugs constitute a class of central nervous system depressants. Indiana Prevention Resource Center

Brand names for drugs in this group include: Ativan® (Lorazepam), Klonopin®/Rivotril® (clonazepam), Valium® (diazepam), Xanax® (alprazolam), Librium® (Chlordiazepoxide), and Halcion® (Triazolam). Indiana Prevention Resource Center The National Forensic Laboratory Information System analyzed police seized drugs and reported that Valium® and Xanax® constituted and 77.60% of the total identified benzodiazepines between January-June 2003 and January-June 2004, respectively

Indiana Prevention Resource Center Street names for Benzodiazepines include: “blue” “zani” “zanibars” “vallies” “moggies” “rugby balls” “roofies” “peaches “football”

Indiana Prevention Resource Center Benzodiazepines appear either as tablets ( mg) or as capsules (5-25mg). Depending on the drug of interest and the store from which it is purchased, the price for 10 capsules or tablets can range from $2.50-$30.00.

Indiana Prevention Resource Center Abuse of benzodiazepines often results in suicide (11% of men and 23% of women), withdrawal seizures for those on treatment for abuse, physical signs of alcoholism, cerebral atrophy, serious mental illnesses, and social deterioration. Nearly half of the drug abuse related emergency department visits involving Benzodiazepines were the result of suicide attempts.

Indiana Prevention Resource Center Despite the fact that suicide related visits involving benzodiazepines have been stable since 1995, visits attributed to drug dependence and drug taking for psychic effects have been increasing The risk for benzodiazepine abuse increases for users who have severe dependence, polysubstance dependence, and antisocial personality disorder.

The highest rates of benzodiazepine abuse occur among people aged 26-44, but SAMHSA’s DAWN reported a dramatic increase among year olds between 1995 and Indiana Prevention Resource Center By 2002 there was no significant difference between the rate of drug abuse for male patients and female patients

Benzodiazepine use can be attributed to self- medication of alcohol induced psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia, attempts to cope with “hangovers” or withdrawal symptoms, enhancement of the intoxicating effects of ethanol, as well as the legitimate therapeutic use to treat anxiety or sleep disorders. Indiana Prevention Resource Center

Due to the large volume of these drugs, there is a great potential for misuse and abuse. Indiana Prevention Resource Center Benzodiazepines were involved in 100,784 drug abuse-related emergency department visits in This is a 41% increase since 1995.

Currently, Benzodiazepines are a schedule IV substance. Illegal possession on a school bus or school property is a class C felony in Indiana. Possession of the drug, without a prescription, is in violation of Indiana Code IC (possession of a controlled substance) and is a class D felony. Indiana Prevention Resource Center

The Indiana Prevention Resource Center’s Survey on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents; Data from The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute The National Institute on Drug Abuse Indiana Prevention Resource Center

Content in this presentation based, in part, on a Factline produced by Bilesha Perera, Ph.D, MS in 2005 and © The Indiana Prevention Resource Center. Contact us Indiana Prevention Resource Center 2735 East 10th Street, CA110 Bloomington, IN Phone: or Fax: The Indiana Prevention Resource Center is funded, in part, by a contract with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, financially supported through HHS/Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant. The IPRC is operated by the Indiana University Department of Applied Health Science and School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. It is affiliated with the Department's Institute of Drug Abuse Prevention. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Trustees of Indiana University or the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Indiana University accepts full responsibility for the content of this publication. © Copyright, 2005 by the Trustees of Indiana University. Indiana Prevention Resource Center