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Treatment-Hotline2 :: Drug Addiction :: Drugs of Abuse
The Straight Facts on Tranquilizers
addiction and alcoholism are believed to be a learned behavior that is masking a person's emotional or physical pain. There are almost as many treatments as there are addicts and alcoholics.
Educate yourself before making any type of life-changing decison regarding alcoholism, addiction and substance abuse treatment.
The Straight Facts on Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers fall into two categories: benzodiazepines and gamma-hydroxybutyrate. They are used by up to 1.6 million Americans every year. Up to 12% are "addicts"; however, many more would suffer significant withdrawal symptoms or anxiety if the drug were stopped. These drugs can be taken orally or snorted.
The sources of many of these drugs are illegal prescription use, overseas Internet purchases, theft or the procurement of the drugs from outside the country. Tranquilizers are used medically for anxiety and insomnia. The effects are similar to alcohol. Users are looking for intoxication, sleepiness or for its use as a knock-out drug. Tranquilizers are used illegally to knock out another person in order to rape them or to engage in non-consensual sex with them.
Benzodiazepines include diazepam, clonazepam, Rohypnol, alprazolam and multiple sleep medications. Users feel relaxed, intoxicated or sleepy. Overuse can result in amnesia, blackouts and respiratory failure that can result in death. Rohypnol is rarely used medically and is ten-times more potent than Valium.
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has no medical use in the U.S. It is also known as the "date rape drug", among other things. Made synthetically, GHB comes in capsules or as a white or sandy powder. Overuse can cause chemical burns to mucus membranes, amnesia, seizures, coma or respiratory failure.
As a whole, most tranquilizers have valid medical uses for anxious people or for those who cannot sleep. The risk of dependency and extreme symptoms upon withdrawal make this type of drug risky to use recreationally.
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