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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats
Published on: November 11, 2013
Benzodiazepine use among injecting heroin users
S G Darke1, J E Ross, W D Hall
1National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales.
Objectives:
To determine the extent and patterns of benzodiazepine use among heroin users, and whether preferences for different benzodiazepines exist among this group.
Subjects And Methods:
210 heroin users who were current users of benzodiazepines volunteered for the study and completed a structured questionnaire.
Results:
Heroin users had used a median of five different benzodiazepines, most commonly diazepam. Almost half the subjects (48%; 95% CI, 41-55) had injected benzodiazepines, 17% (95% CI, 12-22) within the preceding six months. Diazepam and temazepam were the most widely injected benzodiazepines.
Conclusions:
Flunitrazepam, diazepam and temazepam should be prescribed to heroin users with caution. A less popular and rarely injected benzodiazepine, nitrazepam, may be a better option for this group.
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