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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.

The Medical Journal of Australia

|June 19, 1995

Summary

Heroin users frequently use multiple benzodiazepines, often injecting them. Diazepam is common, but nitrazepam may be a safer alternative for this population.

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Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Addiction Medicine
Public Health

Background:

Benzodiazepine co-use is prevalent among individuals with opioid use disorder.
Understanding patterns of benzodiazepine use in heroin users is crucial for harm reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the prevalence and types of benzodiazepine use in heroin users.
To identify specific benzodiazepine preferences and injection practices within this demographic.

Main Methods:

A structured questionnaire was administered to 210 current benzodiazepine and heroin users.
Data collected focused on the extent and patterns of benzodiazepine consumption.

Main Results:

Heroin users reported using a median of five different benzodiazepines, with diazepam being the most frequent.
Nearly half of participants (48%) had injected benzodiazepines, with diazepam and temazepam being the most commonly injected.
17% of participants had injected benzodiazepines within six months prior to the study.

Conclusions:

Caution is advised when prescribing flunitrazepam, diazepam, and temazepam to heroin users due to high injection prevalence.
Nitrazepam, being less popular and rarely injected, presents a potentially safer alternative for this patient group.

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