Benzodiazepines or sleeping pills – Low Risk

Thanks for using our self-assessment tool; you have indicated that you are using benzodiazepines or sleeping pills at a low level.

We know that using benzodiazepines or sleeping pills can have desirable short term effects such as reduced stress and anxiety and assist in getting to sleep and as you’re probably well aware; high doses of benzodiazepines can have short term negative effects like mood swings, shallow breathing, excessive sleep and unconsciousness.

To reduce the risks and harms associated with using benzodiazepines or sleeping pills, the safest option is not to use them.  However to help make sure your benzodiazepines use stays low risk try not to mix benzodiazepines or sleeping pills with other drugs, especially other depressant drugs such as alcohol or GHB  as it can increase your risk of overdose and try to avoid injecting them as the tablets have fillers in them that can be dangerous if injected. If you are injecting benzodiazepines, it is best to use a wheel filter you can pick one up from ACON’s needle and syringe program.

For more information on benzodiazepines or sleeping pills check out our resources section or Touchbase – an LGBTI focused website for alcohol and other drug information and support.

If you are concerned about your benzodiazepines or sleeping pill use get in touch with ACON’s substance support team here or on (02) 9206 2000.  Counselling not your thing? You can also call the alcohol and drug information service (ADIS). ADIS is a 24 hour telephone based information , education, referral and support service call 9361 8000 in Sydney or 1800 422 599 (non-metro areas).