Community Addiction Recovery Services (CAReS)

Street valium is a type of benzodiazepine that is often sold as blues, vallies, benzos, scoobies or diazepam. These tablets are usually white or blue. They can look smooth or fuzzy, depending on how they were made.

Many people think they are taking diazepam, but most street tablets contain Etizolam, which is much stronger and far more dangerous.

What you need to know

Etizolam:

• works very quickly and can affect you for several hours
• is around 10 times stronger than diazepam
• can cause serious physical and mental harm when used daily
• can lead to anxiety, depression and sleep problems
• becomes much more dangerous when mixed with alcohol or other drugs

Etizolam has been linked to many drug‑related deaths in Lanarkshire.

Physical effects

You may experience:

• low energy and slowed heart rate
• blurred vision and small pupils
• poor coordination and relaxed muscles
• headaches, dry mouth, nausea or vomiting
• sleepiness or, after long‑term use, trouble sleeping

Mental effects

You may notice:

• confusion and short‑term memory problems
• low mood and anxiety
• reduced inhibitions and strong sedation

Withdrawal risks

Stopping street valium suddenly can be fatal. Withdrawal can cause seizures, extreme anxiety, nausea, paranoia and severe mood changes.
If you want to stop, you must reduce slowly with medical support.

Harm reduction

• Never mix with alcohol, prescription medication or other depressants such as heroin or methadone.
• Naloxone does not work on benzodiazepines, but it can reverse opioids if both have been taken.
• If someone has blue lips, is unconscious or breathing slowly, call 999 immediately and say what they took.
• Sleep on your side to reduce choking if you are sick.
• Strength varies between tablets, even within the same batch. Start low and go slow.
• Avoid daily use and do not take street valium alone.

Support

If you are worried about your use, speak to your GP, your Addiction Team, or NHS 24 (111).
In an emergency or overdose, call 999 or go to Accident and Emergency.