Emerging Drug Trends: Nitazenes, Tianeptine, and Synthetic Benzodiazepines

Substance use patterns are always changing. Drug use waxes and wanes over time, partly due to availability, price, attitudes, access, and the non-medical determinants of health. This brief focuses on nitazenes, tianeptine, and synthetic benzodiazepines. They are not the only emerging substances in the United States, and they may never reach national or regional prominence, but they have shown clear and dramatic increases over the past several years. Identifying emerging trends and addressing use before it becomes widespread can help reduce the scope and severity of drug epidemics.