What is Bromazolam? Bromazolam is a federally unscheduled benzodiazepine. It is the bromo analog of alprazolam, more commonly known as Xanax.

What was found? Bromazolam was the most highly identified substance in the Q4 2023 CFSRE Benzodiazepine trend report. Bromazolam has had a consistent increase in discussion since October 2023. The discussion reached the highest point in 9 months in late February. 
 
How is it being discussed? Bromazolam is often discussed as a substitute for alprazolam. Many commenters state that it is more desirable than alprazolam due to its longer-lasting effects. The discussion primarily revolves around its use for mitigating anxiety or as a muscle relaxant. Perception is generally positive, although commenters warn against the substance's potential for addiction. The potential negative side effects of taking a higher dose are also frequently discussed since the substance is often used while commenters are going to work or doing other daily activities. 
 
Drug Terms: Bromazolam, Brom, Bromaz 
 
Methodological Note: Data was collected and analyzed by the NDEWS Web Monitoring Team, led by Dr. Elan Barenholtz and NIDA T32 predoctoral fellow Daniel Van Zant of the Machine Perception and Cognitive Robotics (MPCR) Lab at Florida Atlantic University. Metrics are based on post counts derived from algorithmic monitoring of ~80 drug-oriented Subreddits. No personally identifiable or post-specific information is incorporated into this monitoring process. Due to modifications in our data collection protocols, the NDEWS Web Monitoring Team is currently unable to collect data for substances that generate high volumes of posts (e.g. xylazine or psilocybin). This temporary restriction, which is anticipated to persist until early June, reflects recent revisions to Reddit's Terms of Service on data gathering. For more methodological details, see our publication. 

This week's NDEWS Hotspot Alerts report includes 31 counties with higher-than-expected drug-related 911 dispatch counts over the previous 7-day period. Read more here. Click here to read more about NDEWS Hotspot Alerts.

People who have used drugs are invited to join Virtual HealthStreet to participate in periodic anonymous, special topic surveys specifically to get a better understanding of emerging drug trends across the US. Join here.

A study recently published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, led by NDEWS team member Dr. Nicole Fitzgerald, identified temporal patterns of cocaine + alcohol and cocaine + cannabis polysubstance use. Five temporal patterns were identified, with the most common pattern involving limited simultaneous cocaine + alcohol use. Dr. Fitzgerald is a former NIDA T32 predoctoral fellow and also a former NIDA summer intern. The authors noted that the identification of these patterns represents a key step toward developing laboratory models that accurately reflect human behavior. Read the study here.

A recently published study, co-authored by NDEWS Sentinel Site Director, Dr. Phillip O Coffin, used baseline data from a randomized overdose prevention trial, in San Francisco, CA, and Boston, MA, among people who used nonprescribed opioids, survived an overdose in the past 3 years, and had received naloxone. Participants were asked how likely they were to overdose in the next 4 months. Results showed that among the 268 participants, 88% reported at least 1 overdose risk behavior however only 21% reported higher risk perception. Read the study here.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) recently published a wastewater report presenting findings from studies conducted since 2011. The project analyzed wastewater in around 90 European cities and towns. Read the report here.

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