Depressant drugs depress the central nervous system and bring on muscle relaxation, sedation, drowsiness and, in the extreme, coma. They can disinhibit emotions and impulses. They may also create a "high." Opiates, sedative-hypnotics and alcohol comprise the three categories of major depressants. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, depressants carry a high potential for abuse and for the development of tolerance to them, or needing more drug to create the same high. Depressant drugs pose an especially serious risk in combination.
Opiates
Opiates encompass a range of depressant drugs that include non-synthetic opiates such as opium, morphine, codeine and thebaine. Semi-synthetic opiates include heroin, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Percodan and OxyContin. Synthetic opiates include methadone, Darvon, Demerol, fentanyl, buprenorphine and pentazocine. Opiates have an extensive medical usage history. Physicians prescribe opiates to control pain, coughing and diarrhea. People who use opiates illicitly usually do so to get a feeling of euphoria or a "rush," to deaden emotional pain or to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. Tolerance builds quickly to opiates, and opiate users may rapidly and steadily increase their dosages.
Sedative-Hypnotics
This class of drugs are all prescription medications, though they have a high potential for abuse. The effects of sedative-hypnotics is similar to alcohol, including lowered inhibitions, sedation and muscular relaxation. Very large doses of these drugs may cause respiratory depression, coma or death. The largest group of sedative-hypnotics are the benzodiazepines. These include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, Halcion and Rohypnol, which is banned in the United States. Drug companies developed benzodiazapines as a safer alternative to barbiturates. Medically, these drugs treat anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, muscular spasms and severe agitation. Even low levels of use can result in dependency. Other drugs fall under the heading of sedative-hypnotics, including all barbiturates and a number of other drugs such as Ambien and gammahydroxybutyrate, or GHB.
Alcohol
According to "Uppers, Downers, All Arounders," alcohol is the oldest and most widely used psychoactive drug. The book estimates that between 25 and 30 percent of all U.S. hospital admissions are due to direct or indirect effects of alcohol. People drink alcohol for various reasons, including sensory alteration, taste, relaxation and for aid in sleeping and for disinhibition. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration claims that excessive alcohol use causes liver damage and psychotic behavior. Young adults abuse alcohol more than any other substance.
References
- U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Narcotics, Depressants, Stimulants
- "Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders"; Darryl Inaba and William Cohen; 2000
