A depressant is a substance that reduces the activity of the central nervous system (made up of the brain and spinal cord). For this reason, it’s also known as a CNS depressant. The CNS controls all functions of your body, including breathing and heart rate. When you take a depressant, it slows down brain activity. This can cause drowsiness, sleepiness, or even coma.
Depressant agents can be classified according to their chemical structure into three groups:
These compounds act at the glycine binding site of the NMDAR complex. Non-competitive NMDAR antagonism has been shown to produce antidepressant effects in animal models of depression. Several studies have demonstrated that non-competitive NMDAr antagonists induce rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in rodents. Moreover, preclinical data indicate that non-competitive NDMAR inhibitors could represent a novel class of antidepressants with fewer side effects than currently available treatments.
Competitive NMDA receptors antagonists block the ion channel associated with the NMDA receptor complex.
Some GABAergic modulators enhance inhibitory neurotransmission within the central nervous system. These agents increase the inhibitory tone of the brain.
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There are many different types of depressant drugs that may be prescribed. They can be organised per drug class:
These are sedatives used to treat anxiety, panic disorders, sleep difficulties, convulsions and other acute stress reactions. They act by binding to receptors in the brain.
These are commonly referred to as “downers” because they lower energy levels and induce sleepiness. They are often prescribed to treat sleep disorders and anxiety.
This category of CNS depressants includes non-benzodiazepine sleep aids, such as Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta. These drugs are designed to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders.
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These are pain relievers that are highly addictive. Many prescription CNS depressants opioids are now being abused.
Alcohol is also a depressant drug that has been linked to numerous health problems, including liver damage, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Alcohol abuse is also one of the most common types of drug abuse in the world.
Depressants addiction is the compulsive use of these drugs, despite the negative consequences. A person may become addicted to depressants after taking them once or repeatedly.
When this happens, users will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the substance. Unfortunately, antidepressants are hazardous and addictive, mainly because these medicines cause relaxation. Relaxation brings delight to many individuals. As a result, it’s understandable why someone would find pleasure in taking depressants.
Psychological addiction to depressants develops when a person becomes reliant on these drugs to attain and maintain a sensation of calm. Depressants will most certainly cause you to become physically addicted as well as psychologically or emotionally dependent on them. Depressants also affect brain chemistry.
Central nervous system depressants work by increasing the production of the neurotransmitter GABA, which in turn slows down brain activity and produces feelings of relaxation, drowsiness, and other effects, including:
The most common sign of depressants addiction is the physical withdrawal syndrome. These withdrawal symptoms can include:
Following your doctor’s prescribed guidelines is vital. This is even more important for depressant drugs, given the severity of the symptoms and consequences of depressants abuse.
Detoxification, preferably at a rehab or medical facility, is the first step in treating an addiction to depressant drugs. Patients will usually enter a residential inpatient or outpatient treatment programme after detoxification.
Drug abuse is frequently associated with other psychological issues, such as depression, and therapy allows people suffering from addiction to have these issues addressed by certified professionals. Treatment centres will personalise treatment plans for each individual, incorporating a variety of therapies to assist the patient in replacing harmful behaviours with healthier ones. In treating depressant abuse, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is very effective. This treatment aims to change a patient’s thoughts, expectations, and habits while also improving their ability to cope with varied pressures.
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Furthermore, CNS depressants are frequently combined with some other drug or alcohol, and treatment plans will address any polydrug abuse to assure long-term recovery.
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The majority of CNS depressants work by increasing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that suppresses brain function. The sleepy and relaxing effects of this action are what make the drug beneficial for treating anxiety and sleep difficulties. For the first few days after starting to take CNS depressants, people often feel tired and uncoordinated while their bodies acclimate to the adverse effects. Other consequences of use and misuse include:
Long-term use of CNS depressants may necessitate higher doses in order to produce therapeutic effects. When consumption is quickly reduced or terminated, it might result in dependence and withdrawal. Stopping suddenly might potentially have negative repercussions, such as 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, coma or death.
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.
Yes, misusing or abusing prescription CNS depressants can lead to a substance use disorder (SUD), which can develop into an addiction in severe situations. Long-term use of prescription CNS depressants, even when recommended by a doctor, can lead to tolerance, which means that they require greater and/or more frequent dosages to achieve the desired effects. When continued use of a drug has negative repercussions such as health problems or failure to perform responsibilities at work, school, or family, but the drug is still used, a substance use disorder (SUD) develops.
Those who become hooked to a prescription CNS depressant and immediately stop taking it may have withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms, which can start as soon as a few hours after the last dose, include:
It is not recommended that people who are addicted to prescription CNS depressants try to stop taking them on their own. Withdrawal symptoms from these medications can be severe, and in the case of some pharmaceuticals, potentially fatal.
There isn't much research on how to treat patients who have become addicted to prescription CNS depressants. People who are addicted to these medications, on the other hand, should undergo medically supervised detoxification because the dosage should be carefully decreased.
Counselling, whether in an outpatient or inpatient setting, can aid people in their recovery. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is a style of counselling that focuses on changing a person's thoughts, expectations, and actions while also improving strategies to cope with life's challenges. People who have successfully stopped using benzodiazepines have benefited from cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Often prescription CNS depressant misuse occurs along with the use of other drugs, such as alcohol or opioids. In those cases, the person should seek treatment that addresses the multiple addictions.
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