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Articles on Benzodiazepines

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Approaching the opioid crisis from a public health perspective includes massively increasing access to care and treatment for patients experiencing substance use disorder. (Shutterstock)

The roots of the North American opioid crisis, and 3 key strategies for stopping it

There were more than 100,000 opioid-related deaths in North America in 2022. How the crisis grew to such proportions, and three potential paths to ending it.
Having witnesses or recording devices during procedures requiring anesthesia could help prevent opportunities for sexual assault. Science Photo Library/Getty Images

Anesthesia can cause disturbing sexual hallucinations, leading to lasting psychological trauma

Sedative-hypnotic drugs can distort a patient’s perception of reality. Some patients wake up from a procedure believing they have been sexually assaulted.
Methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine distributed by the Drug User Liberation Front, a grassroots organization proving a safe supply of illicit drugs, in Vancouver, in April 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Safer supply of opioids saves lives: Providing alternatives to toxic street drugs

People are dying from using a toxic drug supply. Safer supply and other approaches that listen to the needs of people who use drugs are critical to saving lives and addressing the opioid crisis.
Naloxone can prevent deaths from opioid overdose, but there is no way to reverse the effects of benzodiazepine overdose without risk. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Benzo-dope’ may be replacing fentanyl: Dangerous substance turning up in unregulated opioids

Fentanyl adulteration led to the replacement of heroin in the unregulated drug supply of British Columbia. Now that benzodiazepines are present in many opioids, are we headed towards a ‘new normal?’
There are many pharmacological options available for insomnia. But they will mostly make you reliant upon them for sleep. from www.shutterstock.com

I can’t sleep. What drugs can I (safely) take?

With so many different types out there, it’s hard to know what sleep medications are safe to use. Here’s a guide.
Long-term use is not recommended because of the known side effects. But it took two decades, after its release in the 1960s, to recognise this. 3 0 d a g a r m e d a n a l h u s Follow/Flickr

Weekly Dose: Valium, the ‘safer choice’ that led to dependence and addiction

Benzodiazepines, like alcohol, are depressant drugs, sometimes referred to as “downers” as they make people feel relaxed, sleepy, less coordinated and generally slowed down.
This class of drug poses significant risks of misuse and dependence, paradoxical reactions, disinhibition, amnesia and intoxication. Jacek Becela

Why the TGA should make it harder for people to get Xanax

The body responsible for regulating drugs in Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), is poised to decide whether to restrict access to benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium and Normison…

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