Legal highs are synthetic drugs that contain substances that produce psychoactive effects similar to „traditional” illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, prescription tranquilizers, prescription amphetamines and ecstasy. There is no official list of substances classified as legal highs, but typical examples of legal highs that have now been made illegal with the application of the new law on psychoactive substances, which came into force in May 2016. These include: The pill is illegal in the UK, but is sold on Scottish streets According to the Italian prescription fact sheet, etizolam belongs to a new class of diazepines, thienotriazolodiazepines. This new class is easy to oxidize, rapidly metabolized and has a lower risk of accumulation even after prolonged treatment. Etizolam has an anxiolytic effect about 6 to 8 times greater than that of diazepam. Etizolam causes, especially at higher doses, a reduction in the time of falling asleep, an increase in the total sleep time and a reduction in the number of awakenings. During testing, there were no significant changes in deep sleep; However, it can reduce REM sleep. In EEG tests on healthy volunteers, etizolam showed some properties similar to tricyclic antidepressants. [30] [31] Etizolam contains the same sedative, anxiolytic, antispasmodic, hypnotic, sedative and relaxing properties of skeletal muscle as other benzodiazepines. Until its recent reclassification from a legal high to an illegal drug under the Psychoactive Substances Act, it could be obtained over the counter at any legal high shop.
The fact that it is now illegal to possess, supply, sell or give, even for personal use in the UK, can result in severe penalties and is also indicative of the dangers associated with etizolam. Detoxification and withdrawal can be helped by certain medications; Although there is no pharmaceutical „cure” for withdrawal from Etizolam, withdrawal symptoms can be significantly relieved by certain medications. The major metabolites of etizolam in humans are alpha-hydroxyetizolam and 8-hydroxyetizolam. Alpha-hydroxyetizolam is pharmacologically active and has a half-life of approximately 8.2 hours. [32] Etizolam is not approved by the FDA for medical use in the United States. However, it is not yet planned at the federal level and will be legal for research purposes as of March 2020. [5] As of March 2016, etizolam is a controlled substance in the following states: Alabama,[48] Arkansas,[49] Florida,[50] Georgia (as Schedule IV, while all other states listed here prohibit as a Schedule I substance), Louisiana, Mississippi,[51] Texas,[52] South Carolina,[1] and Virginia. [53] It has been controlled in Indiana since July 1, 2017. [3] It has been controlled in Ohio since February 2018. Although the aforementioned amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act of May 2017 firmly established the illegal status of etizolam in the UK – it is now a Class C controlled drug – it remains relatively easy to obtain and remains a relatively popular recreational drug of choice. Our action campaign against blue plague pills – benzodiazepines composed mainly of etizolam and diazepam – showed how many older addicts die after mixing large numbers of 50p tablets with other drugs such as heroin and methadone.
„It was previously classified as a legal high, but has been extended to a class C drug. Addiction is essentially a disorder of the brain`s reward system that involves a repeated commitment to rewarding behavior despite awareness of negative consequences. In the case of etizolam dependence, the behavior in question is the consumption of etizolam and the experience of its effects. Illicit drugs ruin lives and destroy the foundations of our society. In other words, one in three drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2017 involved etizolam (299/934). In countries where etizolam is legal for medical purposes, it has been prescribed to treat insomnia, anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Less commonly, it is also used to treat muscle spasms and spasms and convulsions. Some medications may be used to relieve the worst symptoms of etizolam withdrawal; Talk to a doctor and/or addiction specialist about relevant medications if you have an addiction to Etizolam. Don`t try to cure yourself: Etizolam can interact dangerously with many other substances, including some that can be used to treat withdrawal syndrome. Abrupt or rapid discontinuation of etizolam, as with benzodiazepines, may lead to the development of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, including rebound insomnia.
[21] Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare event in benzodiazepine withdrawal, was documented in one case of abrupt etizolam withdrawal. [22] This is particularly relevant given the short half-life of etizolam compared to benzodiazepines such as diazepam, resulting in a more rapid decrease in blood plasma levels. [23] Cases of intentional suicide by overdose using etizolam in combination with GABA agonists have been reported. [32] [36] Although etizolam has a lower LD50 than some benzodiazepines, the LD50 is still well above the prescribed or recommended dose. Flumazenil, a GABA antagonist used to reverse benzodiazepine overdoses, inhibits the action of etizolam, as well as conventional benzodiazepines such as diazepam and chlordiazepoxide. [37] When rat neurons were given multiple doses of etizolam or lorazepam, lorazepam caused downregulation of alpha-1 benzodiazepine binding sites (tolerance/dependence), while etizolam caused increased alpha-2-benzodiazepine binding sites (reverse tolerance to anti-anxiety effects). [26] Tolerability to the anticonvulsant effects of lorazepam was observed, but no significant tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of etizolam. [26] Etizolam therefore has a lower susceptibility to tolerance and dependence compared to conventional benzodiazepines. [26] Withdrawal from etizolam can be extremely distressing and uncomfortable, as well as dangerous: it is important that you do not try to go through withdrawal from etizolam dependence without medical assistance. There are both NHS and private options for treating etizolam dependence.
Treatment can be done in hospital rehabilitation (rehabilitation), where a holistic treatment program is offered that includes both detoxification (possibly facilitated by the prescription of appropriate medications) and therapy (as well as other elements, including tailored nutrition and fitness plans). Especially in combination with other illegal substances or alcohol, benzodiazepines can cause serious physical and psychological harm. High doses can lead to loss of consciousness and difficulty breathing, especially when used in combination with alcohol or other tranquilizers. As of March 2020, there had been 12 deaths associated with flualprazolam in the UK. If you are struggling with withdrawal from Etizolam and feel the need to relapse to ward off distressing withdrawal symptoms, be aware that relapse during withdrawal puts you at a higher risk of overdose, as you are probably taking a dose that you were used to before, but which may now be too much for your system. If you struggle with the temptation of relapse, contact your doctor immediately. Some of the most commonly observed physical effects of etizolam abuse include: Dependence and abuse of prescription drugs can be very dangerous and even deadly. If you or a loved one have a problem or concern related to the use of Etizolam or a similar ex-legal benzodiazepine-rich medication, please call our helpline now! We are ready to provide fast, free and competent support. Due to the spread of etizolam on the UK black market in recent years, etizolam addiction has become an increasingly serious problem. However, a silver lining is that an increasing number of high-quality treatment facilities operate across the country with expertise in treating etizolam dependence.