Why depressants are used

This action causes the drowsy and calming effects that make the medicine effective for anxiety and sleep disorders. People who start taking CNS depressants usually feel sleepy and uncoordinated for the first few days until the body adjusts to these side effects. Other effects from use and misuse can include:. If a person takes CNS depressants long term, he or she might need larger doses to achieve therapeutic effects.

Continued use can also lead to dependence and withdrawal when use is abruptly reduced or stopped. Suddenly stopping can also lead to harmful consequences like seizures. Yes, a person can overdose on CNS depressants. An overdose occurs when the person uses enough of a drug to produce life-threatening symptoms or death read more on our Intentional vs. Unintentional Overdose Deaths webpage. When people overdose on a CNS depressant, their breathing often slows or stops. This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia.

Hypoxia can have short- and long-term mental effects and effects on the nervous system, including coma and permanent brain damage. The most important step to take is to call so a person who has overdosed can receive immediate medical attention. The drug might not completely reverse slowed breathing and can lead to seizures in some patients who are taking certain antidepressants.

Flumazenil is short acting, and the patient may need more of it every 20 minutes until he or she recovers. For barbiturates and nonbenzodiazepines, body temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure should be monitored while waiting for the drug to be eliminated. Yes, use or misuse of prescription CNS depressants can lead to problem use, known as a substance use disorder SUD , which takes the form of addiction in severe cases.

In particular, it is extremely dangerous to combine multiple CNS depressants, because the risk of serious complications such as overdose, respiratory failure, and death are greatly magnified. Make a Call Other warning signs include:. Another telling sign of abuse is mixing CNS depressants with other drugs, including opioids and alcohol, to increase their effects.

This may lead to severe adverse health reactions and possibly life-threatening consequences. Discontinuing use of CNS depressants can lead to withdrawal.

Because of the way that depressants affect brain chemistry and slow activity, withdrawal can be severe and sudden when an individual stops taking them.

Withdrawal symptoms typically begin 12 to 24 hours after the last dose of the drug and are most severe between 24 and 72 hours after this dose. Withdrawal symptoms generally begin to fade after this initial period, known as acute withdrawal; however, some symptoms, known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms PAWS may last for up to 24 months. Additionally, many people going through benzodiazepine or barbiturate withdrawal will also experience a rebound effect in which the condition that they were originally taking the sedative for will come back stronger than before.

For example, someone that was taking Xanax for anxiety will often experience worse anxiety upon cessation of the drug. Someone thinking about ending their use of a CNS depressant, or who has stopped and is suffering from withdrawal, should immediately seek medical treatment.

Common central nervous system depressant withdrawal symptoms include: Insomnia Restlessness Nausea Vomiting Shaking Weakness Excessive sweating Irritability Hallucinations Anxiety Panic attacks Body tremors Seizures Depression Muscular stiffness or pain Changes in perception Heart palpitations Tension Memory issues Increased blood pressure and pulse Hypersensitivity to light and sound Aches and pains Withdrawal from depressants can have potentially-life threatening complications.

Treatment for addiction to a central nervous system depressant begins with detox to allow the drugs to exit the system, preferably in rehab or medical facility. After detoxification, a patient will typically move onto a residential inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Drug abuse often co-occurs with other psychological issues, such as depression, and rehab affords individuals struggling with addiction the opportunity for these issues to be addressed with licensed professionals.

Treatment facilities will tailor treatment plans to the individual and include different types of therapies to help the patient replace negative behaviors with healthier ones. Additionally, CNS depressants are often used in conjunction with another drug or substance, and treatment plans will also address any polydrug abuse to ensure lasting recovery. Learn More.

If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to a central nervous system depressant, know that you are not alone and there are treatment options available. Contact a treatment provider today. She has always had a passion for literature and the written word. Upon graduation, Jena found her purpose in educating the public on addiction and helping those that struggle with substance dependency find the best treatment options available.

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction.

Theresa is a well-rounded clinician with experience working as a Primary Addiction Counselor, Case Manager and Director of Utilization Review in various treatment centers for addiction and mental health in Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado.

She also has experience with admissions, marketing, and outreach. As a proud recovering addict herself, Theresa understands first-hand the struggles of addiction. There is no limit to what Theresa is willing to do to make a difference in the field of Addiction! Call A treatment facility paid to have their center promoted here. Learn more about how to be featured in a paid listing. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center.

Chats will be received and answered by one of treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser:. Central Nervous System Depressants Central nervous system depressants are medications or substances that slow brain activity, making them useful for treating anxiety, panic, and sleep disorders.

Start the road to recovery. Last published: November 10, What are depressants? View the Drug Wheel. Effects of depressants There is no safe level of drug use.

Depressants affect everyone differently, based on: size, weight and health whether the person is used to taking it whether other drugs are taken around the same time the amount taken the strength of the drug this varies from batch to batch with illegally produced drugs. In general, when small to low doses of depressants are taken, the following effects may be experienced: reduced inhibitions enhanced mood reduced anxiety slowed reaction time impaired judgement slowed breathing increased risk of accident or injury.

Health and Safety Use of depressants is likely to be more dangerous when: combined with alcohol or other drugs, particularly driving or operating heavy machinery judgement or motor coordination is required a person is alone in case medical assistance is required. If drinking alcohol, stay hydrated and have something to eat before and while drinking. Dependence and tolerance People who use depressants regularly, can develop a dependence and tolerance to them.

Path2Help Not sure what you are looking for? Find out more. Ontario: Addiction Research Foundation; Australian Government Department of Health. Types of Drugs - Drug catagories : Commonwealth of Australia;