The slippery slope of flubromazolam: Experiences of a novel psychoactive benzodiazepine as discussed on a Swedish online forum
Engelsk titel: The slippery slope of flubromazolam: Experiences of a novel psychoactive benzodiazepine as discussed on a Swedish online forum
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Författare:
Andersson, Martin
;
Kjellgren, Anette
Email: anette.kjellgren@kau.se
Språk: Eng
Antal referenser: 33
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 17110024
Sammanfattning
Aim: The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the effects experienced by users
of a novel psychoactive substance, the benzodiazepine flubromazolam, by analysing users’ own
accounts on the Swedish forum Flashback.org. Method: A thematic analysis of anonymous selfreports
published on the forum was performed and generated five general themes describing
effects and experiences by flubromazolam users. Results: The themes which emerged were:
Onset and duration, Desired effects, Adverse effects and addiction, Loss of control, General
estimations and evaluations. The main reported characteristics of flubromazolam were heavy
hypnotic and sedative effects, long-lasting amnesiac effects and the rapid development of tolerance.
Flubromazolam was also anxiolytic and acted as a muscle relaxant for many users. Some users
experienced euphoria or intense wellbeing. Other prominent characteristics were loss of control
(leading to poor choices and actions, with unpleasant consequences) and long-lasting, often severe
withdrawals. There were also serious incidents where users had been admitted to hospital, acute
psychiatric treatment or taken into custody by the police. Conclusion: Flubromazolam appears
to be a highly addictive and precarious benzodiazepine with many, possibly severe, side effects. The
substance is generally described as very potent and with long-lasting effects. Memory loss and loss
of control are common adverse effects, and withdrawals appear to be severe for many users.