Drug-related overdose death rates have continued to rise, primarily due to fentanyl’s presence in the illicit drug market and drug mixtures. While fentanyl is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other prescription opioids, its mixture with bromazolam, a synthetic benzodiazepine, has recently emerged in the illicit drug market.
Bromazolam went from being identified in 1% of toxicology cases in 2021 to 13% in the middle of 2022, with more than 75% of drug samples laced with fentanyl. With the effects of bromazolam already being unpredictable and life-threatening, its mixture with fentanyl only raises health concerns and fatalities.
What is Bromazolam?
Bromazolam has newly emerged as an illicit, significantly potent synthetic triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) disguised as FDA-approved benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium. Benzodiazepines are a class of central nervous system (CNS) depressants that produce strong sedation and hypnosis. Triazolo-benzodiazepine has not been regulated by the FDA, raising its potential for misuse and illicit drug mixtures and supplies.
The effects of bromazolam are similar to those of other benzodiazepines but are significantly more potent and lethal than prescription benzos. Oral administration of bromazolam has primarily come in tablets, capsules, gummies, and solutions. Bromazolam has appeared on the illicit drug market as illegal benzos, disguising itself as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) products. It has reportedly been laced with fentanyl, the deadly opioid primarily responsible for the rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States.
The Dangerous Effects of Bromazolam
With bromazolam being an unregulated drug, its purity and potency are unpredictable. Bromazolam’s side effects can be severe and potentially lethal, including impaired coordination, blurred vision, slurred speech, severe drowsiness, and dizziness. Benzodiazepine drugs, while used to treat anxiety or insomnia, have also been labeled as “date rape drugs” and “club drugs.” Bromazolam produces feelings of euphoria while also impairing essential functions necessary for alertness and decision-making.
The overdose effects of benzodiazepines can include reduced reflexes, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Bromazolam, on its own, is significantly more potent and dangerous than prescription benzodiazepines, heightening its potential for abuse and fatal overdose. When substances are mixed with fentanyl, the drug mixture is inconsistent, making the illicit substance even more unpredictable and deadly.
Sedation and Relaxation
One of the most common side effects of benzodiazepines is the significant sedation and relaxation following consumption. Prescription benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium are used for these specific therapeutic effects. However, benzos, for this reason, have become recreationally abused. Bromazolam, a synthetic designer benzodiazepine, produces similar effects, although its analgesic and anxiolytic effects are much more substantial. Bromazolam consumption produces euphoric effects, which can lead to coordination impairments, dizziness, blurred vision, and unresponsiveness.
Loss of Coordination
As a result of bromazolam’s sedative and analgesic effects, drug users may experience a loss of coordination and impaired motor skills. Coordination impairments while under the influence can be dangerous, leading to poor decision-making, accidents, slips, and injuries.
Drowsiness and Dizziness
Bromazolam, like other benzodiazepine drugs, is a CNS depressant. CNS depressant drugs reduce brain activity, inducing sedation and making users feel drowsy, calm, and sleepy. While this may seem like a desirable side effect, it can be life-threatening for individuals taking illicit substances like bromazolam.
Respiratory Depression
In high doses, bromazolam can suppress respiratory function, leading to hypoventilation (respiratory depression). Respiratory depression from bromazolam can be life-threatening, especially when taken with other depressants like opioids and alcohol.
Coma and Death
Bromazolam, especially when mixed with fentanyl or other highly potent illicit drugs, can lead to coma and potentially death. The lethal effects of bromazolam can lead individuals to fatal outcomes as a result of its impact on the central nervous system. Illicit bromazolam is an unpredictable drug mixture, further heightening its health risks and side effects. Consuming bromazolam can lead to seizures, slowed breathing, myocardial injury, and hyperthermia.
Addiction and Dependence
Like benzos, bromazolam has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Synthetic benzodiazepines are often misused to treat insomnia, anxiety, and muscle pain, which can lead to drug dependence. Bromazolam abuse and addiction can lead to both physical and psychological dependence, making it more challenging to quit using. Bromazolam dependence can lead drug users to use more of the substance or in riskier settings, heightening overdose risks.
The Rise of Bromazolam Overdoses and Deaths in Florida
Drug-related overdoses and overdose death rates in the United States have continued to increase, with more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021. Fentanyl-laced drugs in the street drug supply are primarily responsible for the rise in overdoses and deaths in the U.S. and Florida. Bromazolam, the designer triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) drug produces similar sedative effects to other benzodiazepines. Taking bromazolam can be life-threatening and potentially lead to overdose, even without fentanyl. Fentanyl-laced bromazolam only raises the risk of overdose and death in drug users.
Alprazolam, also known as Xanax, is a psychotropic medication used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Xanax is commonly misused and abused recreationally for its relaxing, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects. Bromazolam, disguised as alprazolam under the street name “Fake Xanax,” has led to hyperthermia, seizures, and myocardial injury following consumption.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Toxicology Testing Program (DEA TOX), these lethal effects were purely a result of the bromazolam drug without any other substances mixed. Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, is ineffective when treating a bromazolam or benzodiazepine overdose.
South Florida Drug Detox and Addiction Treatment in Stuart
Long-term misuse and abuse of benzodiazepines like Bromazolam can lead to addiction, overdose, and potentially death. Seeking immediate detox treatment and rehab for benzodiazepine addiction can help you get sober and recover under medical supervision. At Coastal Detox, a professional drug detox center in Stuart, FL, we understand the difficulty of benzodiazepine addiction and abuse. Our Florida drug detox programs address the physical, mental, and emotional impact of drug addiction through holistic detox treatment services. ‘
Choose to get sober and reach out to us today at Coastal Detox!
References:
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Benzodiazepines.
- U.S. Department of Justice: Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, 2020. Bromazolam Prevalence Surging Across the United States Driven In Part by Increasing Detections Alongside Fentanyl.
- World Health Organization, 2022. Critical review report: Bromazolam.
- The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, 2022. Bromazolam Prevalence Surging Across the United States Driven In Part by Increasing Detections Alongside Fentanyl.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Notes from the Field: Seizures, Hyperthermia, and Myocardial Injury in Three Young Adults Who Consumed Bromazolam Disguised as Alprazolam — Chicago, Illinois, February 2023.
- Florida Health, 2023. Substance Abuse.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Fentanyl Facts.
- StatPearls, 2023. Alprazolam.
- WebMD, 2023. What to Know About CNS Depressants.
- WebMD, 2024. Benzodiazepine Abuse.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023. Drug Overdose Death Rates.