Depressants

why are depressants abused

addiction after being prescribed, belief that the drug will alter emotional state, and drug tolerance

what are the different typed of depressants

alcohol, marijuana, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and promethazine

psychoactive drugs

chemical substances that affect the brain functioning, causing changes in behavior, mood, and consciousness

long term affects

coma, drug tolerance, inability to function from chronic depression and insomnia, withdraw: seizures, weakness, depression, nausea, insomnia

street names for depressants

downers, booze, candy, red birds, reds

what is alcohol?

drink that contains ethanol and is legally consumed

signs of abuse

fatigue, lack of coordination, changes in work attendance or quality of work, slurred speech, poor concentration

how are depressants abused?

injected, swallowed, or smoked

promethazine

liquid used to treat allergy symptoms and nausea

marijuana

mixture of dried shredded flowers form the hemp plant cannabis sativa

describe barbiturates

most addictive depressant, common types are amytal, nebutal, and seconal

what forms do depressants come in?

pills, liquid, or powder

short term effects of depressants

relaxation of muscles, slow brain function, lowered blood pressure/ heart rate POSITIVE. confusion, slurred speech NEGATIVE.

medical terms for depressants

sedative, tranquilizer, sleeping pill, anesthetic, anti anxiety medication

what are barbiturates?

sleep inducing pills or liquid used to treat seizures, anxiety, and insomnia

drug tolerance

the body adjusts to the drug, causing the desired effect to be achieved by higher doses

describe benzos

treat anxiety, muscle spasms, alcohol withdraw, sold as: Valium, Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin

benzodiazepines

used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdraw

how do depressants affect the nervous system?

when a nerve impulse crosses a neuron releasing neurotransmitters, the chemicals from depressants bind to a subset of neurotransmitters, enhancing it's activity as it enters the receiving neuron, exciting the brain, which produces a calming or drowsy effect

how does alcohol affect the brain?

when alcohol is swallowed , it gets absorbed into the stomach. 80% of the alcohol is absorbed into the veins and the remaining gets oxidized in the liver. the alcohol left in the veins travel to the brain, kick starting the effects.

how does the central nervous system normally work?

works by sending signals throughout the body- when a nerve impulse sends a signal across a neuron, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters. these neurotransmitters carry the nerve signal to the neighboring neuron, which transfers it to the rest of the body