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