SIGNS AND
THE USE OF
SYMPTOMS OF
DEPRESSANT
DRUG USE
DEPRESSANTS AFFECT ONE OF
THE BRAIN’S
NEUROTRANSMITTERS WHICH
IN TURN CAUSES THE
INDIVIDUAL’S BRAIN ACTIVITY
TO SLOW DOWN HELPS THEM
TO RELAX MORE. SIGNS THAT
SOMEONE IS UNDER THE
EFFECTS OF DEPRESSANTS
INCLUDE:
DROWSINESS
CONFUSION
HEADACHE
LACK OF SELF-CONTROL
DIZZINESS
SLURRED SPEECH AND
BLURRED VISION
IMPAIRED JUDGMENT AND
MENTAL FUNCTIONING
NAUSEA AND VOMITING
MEMORY LOSS
SIDE EFFECTS OF
DEPRESSANT
DRUG USE
WHEN PEOPLE ENGAGE IN THE USE OF
DEPRESSANTS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF
TIME OR EVEN IN THE SHORT TERM, IT
CREATES MULTIPLE SIDE EFFECTS SOME
OF WHICH COULD BE LIFE THREATENING.
ONE CONCERN WITH THE USE OF
DEPRESSANTS IS THAT OVER TIME THE
INDIVIDUAL CAN DEVELOP A TOLERANCE
TO THEM WHICH CAN CAUSE
INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME MORE
DEPENDENT ON THEM AND CAUSE
CONCERNS WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE
USE.
BECOMING ADDICTED TO THESE DRUGS
CAN BE DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME AND
WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL IS TAKING TOO
DEPRESSANTS
MUCH AT ONCE, OR USING DEPRESSANTS
WITH ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS, THIS
CAN SLOW THEIR HEART AND
BREATHING ENOUGH TO CAUSE DEATH.
SOMEONE WHO IS DEPENDENT ON
DEPRESSANTS CAN ALSO HAVE
DANGEROUS WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
WHEN TRYING TO QUIT. DEPENDING ON
THE TYPE OF DEPRESSANT THE
INDIVIDUAL IS TAKING, THE
WITHDRAWAL CAN BE LIFE
THREATENING, THIS IS CONSIDERED
HIGHER IN AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS
ENGAGING IN BARBITURATES MORE
THAN BENZODIAZEPINES. HOWEVER,
BARBITURATES AND BENZODIAZEPINES,
BOTH CAN CAUSE SYMPTOMS THAT ARE
MORE SERIOUS THAN SOME OTHER
TYPES OF DRUGS. INCLUDING SEIZURES,
TREMORS, PSYCHOSIS, NAUSEA, AND
INSOMNIA TO NAME A FEW.
WHAT ARE WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF
DEPRESSANTS? DEPRESSANT?
DEPRESSANTS ARE Depending on the depressant drug the individual consumes, the
PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS THAT effects can be different. Here are some of the common
SLOW DOWN THE ACTIVITY OF depressants used and what the effects of their use can bring
THE CENTRAL NERVOUS onto the individual;
SYSTEM, WHICH REDUCES A Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Due to
PERSON’S ALERTNESS AND the initial positive behavioral effects of alcohol, many people
SLOWS DOWN THEIR
don’t realize that the substance is a CNS depressant. Alcohol
BREATHING AND HEART RATE.
IN OTHER WORDS THE can actually increase anxiety and stress rather than reduce it, as
INDIVIDUAL IS IN MORE OF A well as cause negative reactions such as anger, aggression, and
RELAXED STATE. MEDICAL depression. Chronic alcohol use can also lead to dependence,
PROVIDERS TEND TO addiction, and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop
PRESCRIBE THE DEPRESSANT usage of the drug.
DRUGS FOR SITUATIONS THAT Barbiturates, or “downers,” are a type of CNS depressant that is
INCLUDE ANXIETY OR SLEEP
typically prescribed to help with anxiety, tension, and sleep
CONCERNS. THE MOST
COMMON FORM OF disorders. These drugs can generate a feeling of euphoria and
DEPRESSANTS TODAY relaxation even when taken in small doses, which encourages
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; abuse in some. Because the potential for addiction and overdose
ALCOHOL, BENZODIAZEPINES is so high, the drugs are no longer commonly used to treat
(MINOR TRANQUILIZERS), AND anxiety and sleep problems.
BARBITURATES. INDIVIDUALS Benzodiazepines, or “benzos”, are central nervous system
ALSO USE DEPRESSANTS TO
depressants that are prescribed to treat anxiety, sleep
SELF MEDICATE TO HELP THEM
COPE THROUGH CONCERNS disorders, convulsions, and other acute stress reactions.
INVOLVING DEPRESSION, Common benzos include Valium, Xanax, and Ativan.
ANXIETY, AND INSOMNIA. Benzodiazepines cause the individual to experience the sleep-
inducing, sedative, and muscle-relaxing feelings. Due to this
effect, an individual can develop a tolerance leading to a
dependence to the benzodiazepines.