Benzodiazepine also referred to as “Benzos” belongs to the family of sedative/tranquiliser prescription drugs which are usually prescribed to treat conditions like anxiety and insomnia.
Benzos come in the form of pills, tablets and gel capsules and is sold under many brand names including Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, and Ativan; its street names include downers, blues and jellies.
Benzos can induce periods of calmness, relaxation and sleep. Benzos can only be prescribed after a consultation with a doctor, but there is also a huge black market for them.
Benzos are often used to help people come down and sleep after a heavy session of taking stimulants such as
- Cocaine
- Crack
- Amphetamines
- LSD
- Ecstasy
The risk of overdose is significantly increased the more drugs you mix with Benzos known as polydrug use