Benzodiazepines are a class of depressants that are often called "benzos" or "downers" on the streets. Drugs in this category are used to help relieve the symptoms of several conditions.  The effects of the benzodiazepine depend on the dose. In high doses it acts as a hypnotic drug, in moderate doses it acts as an anxiolytic (helps to treat anxiety), and in low doses it acts as a sedative.  Benzodiazepines work by affecting the central nervous system.  Benzodiazepines are a class IV drug under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA).  This is a fequently prescribed type of medication in the United States. It is sold under several different brand names.  Some examples include:

• Xanax
• Loramet
• Rohypnol
• Sedoxil
• Dormicum
• ProSom
• Halcion
• Restoril
• Mogadon
• Serax
• Ativan
• Valium
• Dalmane
• Librium
• Tranxene
• Leotanil
• Klonopin

Typically, the drug is administered orally but it may also be injected.  There are several different reasons why a doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine to you.  If you are suffering from seizures, the doctor may prescribe the anticonvulsant Ativan or Valium.  If you suffer from anxiety or experience panic attacks, the physician may provide a prescription for benzodiazepines as an anxiolytic.  In other cases, benzodiazepines are used therapeutically to help those suffering from insomnia.  Those are good reasons to use this type of drug however there are side effects you may want to be aware of:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Disturbing dreams
• Tolerance
• Dependence

Benzodiazepines are depression drugs and can be abused.  In some cases, the drug has been called the "date rape" drug because of its sedating effects.  The brand name Rohypnol is not legal in the United States but has been smuggled in.  On the streets, it is called "roofies", "roach" or "rophies".  It is considered a "party" drug, but unknowing individuals may have Rohypnol slipped into their drink at a club, at which point, the "date rape" term was born.  The victim typically will not remember what happened to them and is unlikely to report any wrong doing.

You may have been innocently prescribed this drug for many different types of conditions, however, if you take this drug for a long period of time you may build up a tolerance.  What that means is that you don't feel the effects you did when you first started taking it.  You may think that you need more of the drug for it to work, so you start taking a little more.  Or, your prescription may read that you are to take the drug two times a day, and you begin taking it three or four times a day.  You may have developed a substance addiction to the drug.  If this is your situation, or someone you know, they will need some help to stop.  Stopping abruptly will cause some withdraw symptoms which may be uncomfortable.  The best thing to do is get professional help.  Start with talking to your doctor, or if you were getting the drugs on the streets, get substance abuse treatment.  There are hundreds of therapists and treatment centers out there that know what you are going through and want to help.