Is Etizolam Addictive?
While etizolam might help with anxiety, there is potential for addiction. Despite being less addictive than traditional benzodiazepines, etizolam can still lead to dependence, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, and other side effects.
This article will cover the complexities of etizolam addiction, exploring how it works, its risks, and the path to recovery.
Is Etizolam Addictive?
Etizolam is an anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant drug known as thienodiazepines, which are similar to benzodiazepines. It’s sometimes referred to as a “designer” benzodiazepine.
Although it’s not as addictive as benzodiazepines, there’s still a potential for psychological and physical addiction. Misusing etizolam can even result in dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Etizolam withdrawal can cause the following symptoms:
- Palpitations
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Tremors
- Rebound anxiety
- Headaches & nausea
- Sweating
- Seizures (severe cases)
As etizolam is a relatively new drug, there are no guidelines to prevent abuse. Unlike some other more common and well-known prescription drugs, etizolam does not have the same safety features.
How Does Etizolam Work?
Etizolam interacts with the brain’s natural calming system, known as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA acts like a break, slowing down brain activity that can lead to anxiety or panic.
Etizolam enhances this calming effect, creating a sense of calm and relaxation. This calming effect makes etizolam useful for treating anxiety and panic disorders.
What is Etizolam Used For?
Etizolam can help treat various medical and mental health conditions, such as:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Depressive symptoms
- Subdural hematomas (bleeding occurring inside the skull but outside the brain tissue)
It’s an extremely short-acting drug, with a half-life of 5 to 7 hours. This means that half of the drug will still be in your body after this time. Despite this, etizolam is more potent than diazepam (10 times more in hypnotic effects).
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Side Effects & Risks
Regardless of whether or not you’re abusing etizolam, it can still result in side effects.
Some common ones include:
- Drowsiness
- Muscle weakness
- Sedation
- Sleepiness
- Muscle relaxation
- Ataxia (disorders that affect motor skills, such as balance or speech)
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Changes in libido
Etizolam is also a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, so there’s a risk of respiratory depression (slow, ineffective breathing), coma, overdose, and death.
More evidence is needed to understand etizolam and its effects on the body, so it is not recommended to self-medicate.
Is Etizolam Legal in the U.S.?
Although it’s legal in Japan, Italy, and India, etizolam is not available by prescription in the United States. However, many laboratories manufacture etizolam for research purposes, making obtaining the substance more accessible via the internet.
It’s described as a “research chemical” on different sites or local retail shops. This ease of availability can encourage some to buy the drug for medical use without a healthcare professional’s advice.
Others misuse the drug for recreational purposes. A study of calls to the National Poison Data System in the U.S. showed that exposure to “designer” benzodiazepines is rising. Of the 234 exposure cases across 40 US states, 162 were etizolam.
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Addiction Treatment Options
For those who have already developed an addiction, the best option is tapering. This is when intake of a drug is slowly reduced over time, usually in a controlled setting like inpatient rehab.
Etizolam can remain in the body for up to 40 hours. However, some people metabolize etizolam more slowly than others, which can linger in their bodies for up to three and a half days.
Feeling normal again after a detox can take anywhere from several days to months. It can even take years, depending on how long you’ve been abusing the drug.Detox for etizolam and similar drugs is typically slow and uncomfortable. You can expect withdrawal symptoms to persist for long periods, affecting your daily life. If you’re experiencing etizolam withdrawal, you can go to a medical detox program for support and medical supervision.
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- Nielsen S. & McAuley A. “Etizolam: A rapid review on pharmacology, non-medical use and harms.” Drug Alcohol Rev. 2020
- “Etizolam.” Drug Enforcement Administration. Diversion Control Division. Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section, Drug Enforcement Administration, 2020.
- Gupta, S. and Bhavuk G. “A case of etizolam dependence.” Indian journal of pharmacology, 2014.
- Busardò et al. “Is etizolam a safe medication? Effects on psychomotor perfomance at therapeutic dosages of a newly abused psychoactive substance.” Forensic Science International, 2019
- Bertolino et al. “Etizolam in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a controlled clinical trial.” The Journal of international medical research, 1989.
- O’Connell et al. “Overdose of Etizolam: The Abuse and Rise of a Benzodiazepine Analog.” Annals of Emergency Medicine, Elsevier, 2015.
