Benzodiazepines or sleeping pills – Medium to High Risk

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

Long term negative effects of using benzodiazepines or sleeping pills can include: anxiety and depression, feeling lethargic, difficulty sleeping, headaches, nausea, impaired thinking, memory loss , dependence and withdrawal.

Keep in mind that if you are experiencing symptoms of benzodiazepines or sleeping pill dependence, it can be dangerous to stop using them suddenly. It’s a good idea to consult with a health professional if you are considering quitting your benzodiazepines use.

To reduce the risks and harms associated with using benzodiazepines or sleeping pills, the safest option is not to use them. However the good news is that if you stop using benzodiazepines your appetite, coordination, concentration and mood will improve.

If you would like to cut down your use of benzodiazepine or sleeping pills s check out our resources section, Touchbase (an LGBTI focused website for alcohol and other drug information and support) or the World Health Organisation self-help manual .

Maybe it’s time to get in touch with ACON’s Substance support team? Substance Support provides confidential and FREE short term counselling for LGBTI people and people living with HIV seeking support in relation to their use of alcohol and other drugs. Substance Support counsellors’ work from a harm reduction approach to assist clients to reach their goals to manage use, reduce or quit.

You can contact Substance Support 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).

To help make sure your benzodiazepines use stays low risk try not to mix benzodiazepines 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.

To reduce the harms of benzodiazepines or sleeping pills   use try not to mix them with other drugs, especially other depressant drugs 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.