Benzos: how to stay safer

Find out how to stay safe when using benzodiazepines, including what to do if someone overdoses.

What are benzos?

Benzodiazepines are a group of sedative drugs.

Some people may be prescribed a type of benzodiazepine, while other types are only available illicitly (sometimes called ‘street benzos’).

Street benzos often contain several different drugs, which can increase the risk of overdose.

Here's how you can reduce harm when using benzos.

Avoid buying benzos like diazepam (Valium), temazepam or alprazolam (Xanax)

Most pills sold on the street or internet aren’t what they say they are, even if they look genuine.

This means it’s very difficult to know what’s in them or how strong they are.

Find out more in Street benzos: what's in them?

How to reduce benzo risks

If you do buy and use benzos, here are some ways to keep yourself safer:

  • Don’t mix them with other depressant drugs, like alcohol, heroin or methadone – these all make you drowsy and can slow down your breathing. Combining them can be dangerous
  • Start low – it’s safest to start with a quarter of a pill (you can get cheap pill cutters online or from chemists). The strength can vary from pill to pill, even if they look the same
  • Wait at least two hours between doses – benzos can stay in your body for a long time, so space out your pills
  • Don’t drive or operate machinery – benzos can affect your ability to do these things safely
  • Always use with other people – they can help you if you get ill or overdose

What to do if someone overdoses

If someone gets any of these symptoms after taking benzos and/or other depressant drugs like heroin or methadone, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

  • They don’t wake up when you talk loudly to them or shake them by the shoulders
  • Their lips and fingernails have a bluish tinge (if they have lighter skin) or a greyish tinge (if they have darker skin)
  • The pupils of their eyes are very small
  • They look pale and clammy
  • They are making a rasping noise as they breathe, or choking sounds
  • Their breathing is slow, shallow or irregular, or they are not breathing at all
  • They vomit, or there are signs they have vomited
  • They are unable to speak

If possible let the ambulance service know what the person has taken.

If you have naloxone, it's best to use it, even if you're not sure what they've taken. You can’t harm someone by giving them naloxone.

How to use a naloxone 

Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.

Need support to cut down or stop benzos?

Get in touch with one of our free, confidential services.

Or talk to us online

1-2 miles - Considered within walking distance threshold, however, cycling, public transport, or a personal vehicle is advised if no safe walking routes.
10-15 miles - Generally between a minimum of 30 mins to 1 hour travel time expected via public transport or personal vehicle. This may depend on form of transport, time of day and/or road layouts.
20-25 miles - Generally between a minimum of 50 minutes to 1.5 hours travel time expected via public transport or personal vehicle. This may depend on form of transport, time of travel and/or road layouts