Comparative Study of the Abuse Liability of Alprazolam, Lorazepam, Diazepam, Methaqualone, and Placebo

Abstract

Subjective effects of two benzodiazepines-alprazolam and lorazepam-were compared with two drugs of known abuse potential-diazepam and methaqualone-and placebo. This double-blind, crossover trial tested 30 casual recreational sedative users in a seminaturalistic setting. Methaqualone was more euphoriant and less sedative than the benzodiazepines. Diazepam and lorazepam were more euphoriant than placebo; alprazolam''s euphoriant effect did not differ from these treatments. On other measures of abuse liability the benzodiazepines rated similarly, diazepam rating highest.