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Central Nervous System Depressants 9, 10
CNS depressants include such drugs as alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates.
Action & Use
These drugs slow nervous system activity and are used to produce sedation, treat pain, reduce anxiety and treat sleep disorders. These drugs have a high potential for abuse and tolerance to the drug develops quickly. These drugs are often abused in combination with alcohol.
Alcohol is the most widely abused drug. It reaches the bloodstream within 5 minutes of ingestion and is carried to all parts of the body. Alcohol affects many neurotransmitter receptors and is believed to activate the pleasure/reward system of the brain. Alcohol is often abused in conjunction with other substances. Alcohol acts to affect other drug's availability. This means it may increase or decrease the activity and effectiveness of other drugs and may alter the drug into a toxic chemical that can damage the liver and other organs.
Some alcohol-drug interactions include antibiotics, anticoagulants, antidepressants, antidiabetic medications, antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, antiseizure medications, narcotic and non-narcotic pain relievers and cardiovascular medications.
Binge drinking is defined as consuming more than five drinks or more on one occasion on one day within the past 30 days. Results from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 4
Moderate drinking is defined as two drinks per day for males and one drink per day for females. A drink is defined as a 12-ounce beer or wine cooler or 5 ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled liquor. 10
Barbiturates (e.g., Amytal, Phenobarbital, Seconal, Nembutal) are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and as an anticonvulsant. These drugs produce effects similar to alcohol. These drugs enhance GABA receptors, which inhibit CNS activity. They do not reduce sensations of pain. Medical use of barbiturates has decreased with the introduction of benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines 9, 10 (e.g., Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Halcion) are often abused by both adolescents and adults. Most commonly used in the treatment of panic disorders with or without agoraphobia, anxiety disorders or for short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety including anxiety associated with depression, and prevention of seizures. Dental patients who abuse or are dependent may complain of TMJ pain or fear of dental treatment. Patients who abuse or are addicted to stimulant drugs may also seek sedatives to abate withdrawal from such drugs as cocaine and methamphetamine.
Withdrawal from this drug group can be lethal and should be done under a physician's direction. Alcohol heightens the effects of these drugs and can lead to lethal overdose.
Rohypnol (brand name for flunitrazepam), while illegal in the United States, is a legal drug in many countries and is used to treat sleep and psychiatric disorders. This drug is commonly taken with other drugs (heroin, cocaine and alcohol) and is ten times stronger than Valium. This drug has become increasingly popular because it is easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive. It is also known as "the date rape drug" because men have been known to drop it into women's drinks causing them to black out and thereby creating a potential rape situation. If given a sufficient dose (2-mg), the woman will have no recollection of events occurred while under the influence.
Ketamine is used in veterinary medicine. It produces a disassociated state and impaired perception. It has both analgesic and amnesic properties. There is no depression of the CNS, but there is depressed respiratory function. It has been used in sexual assaults. It goes by the street name "Special K." (10)
Table 7: CNS Depressants |
General Effects
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- Slow down nervous system activity
- Decrease anxiety
- Drowsiness
- Relax muscles
- Sedation
- Dilated blood vessels
- Dilated pupils
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Method(s) of
Administration |
- Ingested
- Injected
- Smoked
- Snorted
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| Withdrawal Symptoms |
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Anxiety
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Depressants
