Benzodiazepines
(benzos, vallies, blues, Valium, Xanax, xannies)
Benzos are a type of depressant drug that are used in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Recreationally, they are usually used for their mood-lifting effects. Although benzos are prescription drugs, there is a huge amount of illicit production. This means that contaminated, incorrectly dosed pills have flooded the market. The most commonly used benzos are Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam).
Effects | Dosage | Advice | Support
Effects
There are lots of different benzodiazepines available on the market. The effects of each are largely similar but vary in duration and strength.
- Reduction in anxiety
- Lifted mood/euphoria
- Relaxation
- Sleepiness
- Impaired coordination
- Poor concentration and memory
- ‘Flattened’ mood
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Disinhibition (particularly when combined with alcohol)
- Blackouts/memory loss (particularly at high doses or when combined with alcohol)
Paradoxical symptoms (the opposite effects of those that are desirable) sometimes occur when a benzo wears off. This is more likely to happen with short-acting benzos.
Dosage
As always, dosage will depend on a number of factors including weight, gender and tolerance, amongst others. The following advice is a guide only. If the benzodiazepine you are using is not listed here you can click here for a dose conversion tool.
Valium (diazepam)
The effects will take around 15- 40 minutes to kick in and will last for 5-8 hours.
| Strength | Dose |
| Light | 2.5-5 mg |
| Common | 5-15 mg |
| Strong | 15-30 mg |
Xanax (alprazolam)
The effects will take around 20-40 minutes to kick in and will last 5-8 hours.
| Strength | Dose |
| Light | 0.25-0.5 mg |
| Common | 0.5-1.5 mg |
| Strong | 1.5-2 mg |
Harm Reduction Advice
- Most benzos in the UK are made illicitly. This means they’re often dosed incorrectly, inconsistently and sometimes contain different drugs entirely. A blister pack or ‘legit’ looking packaging are not indicators of quality.
- Recently, testing has shown that some ‘benzos’ contain nitazenes, a type of dangerous synthetic opioid. We recommend you test all your drugs, but this is particularly important advice if you use benzos.
- Start Low and Take It Slow. It’s impossible to tell if each pill contains the same amount of active ingredient.
- Resist the urge to re-dose. Benzos effect your memory and its can get really difficult to keep track of how many you’ve taken.
- You’re likely to feel depleted after using drugs. Hydrate, eat something nutritious and rest. Click here for more information on taking care of yourself after a session.
- Mixing drugs, including alcohol, can be risky. Mixing benzos with other drugs, particularly depressants (alcohol, opioids, GHB/GBL) can lead to an increased risk of blackouts and overdose. Click here for more information on drug combinations.
- You can become physically dependent on benzos, this means if you use too regularly, it can be dangerous to stop.
- The signs of dependence to look out for are an increase in tolerance, using most days or every day, feeling anxious, sweaty, experiencing the shakes, or having seizures when you don’t use. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t stop cold turkey, contact us and/or your GP for support.
- Self-medicating for anxiety/depression won’t improve your mental health in the long run. If you’re struggling with poor mental health contact your GP or Vitaminds.
- We recommend you always test your drugs, for information on testing services in Bristol, click here.
- Do not attempt to drive after taking benzos. Make sure you find a safe alternative.
Click here to learn more about spotting the signs of a benzo overdose, and what to do.
Access Support
The Drop is BDP’s one stop shop for support, advice and resources around party drugs.
