Benzodiazepines are commonly referred to as depressants.  Some examples of benzodiazepines that you may be familiar with are Xanax, Valium, Librium, Halcion and sleeping pills.  This type of drug is prescribed to treat insomnia or anxiety and can produce depression in the central nervous system.  This type of drug has been increasingly misused by people who are not prescribed them, especially Valium and Xanax.  They have the most potential for abuse.

Some of the side effects of Benzodiazepines are a delayed reaction time, decreased motor coordination, slurred speech, restlessness, aggression, depression, hallucinations and paranoia.  Upon using these drugs for an extended period of time the person may develop a tolerance to the drugs requiring larger doses to achieve the same effect.  Withdrawal symptoms from heavy usage of the benzodiazepines can range from anxiety, insomnia, tremors and seizures depending on the length and dosage of use.

The abuse of Benzodiazepines has been associated with habitual cocaine users who take the drugs to alleviate the crash of coming down off of the cocaine.  Testing for Benzodiazepines in the urine is usually conducted using immunoassay tests and is confirmed by GC/MS tests.  The immunoassay cut off level for benzodiazepine metabolites is 200 ng/ml.  This level is sufficient enough to detect the single use of benzodiazepines for up to 48 to 72 hours after a single usage and up to a week depending on the person’s history of usage and body mass.  The follow up GC/MS cutoff levels are 100 ng/ml.

(To Be Continued)