If you’ve been at all remotely up-to-date on the dangerous drugs that are being abused across the country, chances are you’ve heard of Xanax. This drug is specifically made to treat disorders such as anxiety and insomnia. It is a minor tranquilizer that acts as a downer, easing an already uneasy mind. Unfortunately, people have been abusing this substance for quite some time. Many teenagers and young adults combine this drug with alcohol to get an extreme sense of relaxation and euphoria. Thankfully, efforts have been made to fight against this particular substance abuse as it can be life-threatening for any user. However, there is a new substance abuse movement on the rise that is finding a new alternative to Xanax: Etizolam.
What is Etizolam?
Etizolam is a drug in the same class as Xanax; they’re both benzodiazepines. This substance, like Xanax and Valium, is used in treating anxiety depression, and insomnia. However, it is only pharmaceutically approved in Japan, India, and Italy. In the United States and the United Kingdom, Etizolam is considered an illicit substance. People who take this substance usually take it to help fight anxiety or help them fall asleep, but, like most substances, people have started to take notice of the potent effects Etizolam can have on an individual, thus resulting in abuse.
How Does It Feel?
For individuals that take this drug, they will experience a few different effects:
- Slowed Function (Brain & Body)
- Extreme Relaxation/Lethargic
- Helps Ease Muscle Spasms/Fits
- Short-term Memory Loss
- Overly Tired/Narcolepsy
The effects of the drug can last up to 6-8 hours and can stay in the system for even longer. Although, duration of the effects can vary based on how much a person takes, how much they’ve eaten, how much they weigh, how old they are, etc.
Etizolam Abuse
People usually take this drug in a pill or tablet form. Users will also obtain Etizolam in a powder form which they put in needles and inject into themselves. This can be dangerous because this substance can be difficult to dissolve, which means there is a higher possibility of veins and arteries being blocked. This can lead to long-term artery and vein damage. Injecting substances into oneself can also lead to a higher chance of blood-borne viruses like AIDS, Hepatitis, HIV, etc.
You may be asking yourself, “If this drug is illegal in the US, even in a prescription form, how are people obtaining it?” Unfortunately, Just like any other illegal substance, there is usually a black market or something that helps people get around that. What law enforcement has found is that users are buying the substance through online vendors who sell them illegally and have them shipped through illegal channels. Online vendors sometimes sell foreign-manufactured tablets under different brand names so as to avoid any sort of altercation with the law. Other foreign brand names of this substance are Etilaam, Etizest, Depas, Etizola, Sedekopan, and Pasaden. What people fail to realize is just how dangerous this substance can be.
Dangers of Abuse
For people who abuse this substance, they often have developed a dependency that does not allow them to stop regular use. These individuals will most likely suffer from short and long-term health problems. It an unfortunate reality when someone becomes so dependent on a substance that they ignore the impending doom that will come about. In one particular case, a gentleman named Adam Hunt took a dose of Etizolam he bought online overdosed, went into a 4-day medically induced coma, and ultimately passed away. One very popular website, Reddit, is filled with online forums and users who promote the use of this drug. They attempt to get around it by making statements like “not for human consumption” or “only for research purposes”. However, this is just deceptive marketing so as to avoid any law enforcement interference.
Now, let’s discuss what addiction to this substance can look like.
Etizolam Addiction
Addiction to substances of any kind can be life-threatening, especially Etizolam. Due to the potency of this drug, people are encouraged not to take it at all. However, this does not stop individuals who are curious. People who start to abuse this substance can expect to see symptoms such as:
- Short-term Memory Loss
- Extreme Weight Loss
- Extreme Mood Changes
- Depression and Anxiety
- Overdose/Death (if the dose is high enough)
- Loss of Consciousness
These are just a few of the effects that Etizolam addiction can cause, now let’s discuss what happens when a person tries to abstain from using the substance.
Etizolam Withdrawal
For anyone that has become dependent on drugs or alcohol, there is a 100% chance they will experience something we call ‘withdrawal’ if they try to stop their regular use. Withdrawal is the body’s way of trying to get a person to use drugs or alcohol again. The toxins that are ingested from drugs and alcohol pollute a person’s mind, body, and soul into thinking they are incomplete without them. When a person withdraws from using Etizolam, they can expect to see one, or most likely, more of these symptoms:
- Decreased Concentration
- Major Mood Swings (Anger, Irritability, etc.)
- Uncontrollable Tremors
- Nausea
- Headaches/Migraines
- Extreme Anxiety
- Panic Attacks
- Depression
- Muscle Spasms
People need to realize there is a big reason why Etizolam has not been approved by the FDA. The drug is extremely potent, has a strong capability of developing an addiction, and is extremely dangerous to someone’s overall health. It is horrible to see that people are buying this illegal substance online in order to get a similar experience as they would with Xanax. Both drugs are extremely dangerous and should not be used outside of a doctor’s orders. If you or someone you know is struggling with Etizolam abuse or any substance abuse for that matter, reach out to your local addiction recovery center to get them the help they deserve. All it takes is one phone call, one decision to make a difference in someone’s life forever.
