What Are Depressants?

Depressants are drugs that are prescribed to help relieve anxiety , irritability, and tension. The drugs are often referred to as "downers" as they are meant to calm a person down. There is a high potential for abuse and development of tolerance with regular use. Depressants produce a state of intoxication similar to alcohol. Combined with alcohol, depressants increase effects and multiply the risks. Depressants are taken orally.

Examples of depressants are:

  • Barbiturates
  • Methaqualone
  • Tranquilizers
  • Cloral hydrate
  • Glutethimide

Possible Effects

  • Sensory alteration
  • Reduced anxiety
  • Intoxication

Small amounts of depressants cause calmness and relaxed muscles, while large amounts cause slurred speech, impaired judgment, and loss of motor coordination. Very large doses may cause decreased breathing rate, coma, and death.

Newborn babies of mothers who abuse depressant drugs may be born dependent on these drugs, and may experience withdrawal symptoms, behavioral problems, and birth defects.

Symptoms of Overdose

  • Shallow respiration
  • Clammy skin
  • Dilated pupils
  • Weak and rapid pulse
  • Coma
  • Death

Withdrawal Syndrome

Stopping the use of an addictive drug can cause painful physical and psychological symptoms. This is called withdrawal. When stopping the use of a depressant drug, the following withdrawal symptoms may occur:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle tremors
  • Loss of appetite

Stopping a depressant drug very quickly or drastically reducing a very high dose may cause the following symptoms:

  • Convulsions
  • Delirium
  • Death

Signs of Possible Misuse

  • Behavior similar to alcohol intoxication (without odor of alcohol on breath)
  • Staggering, stumbling, lack of coordination, slurred speech
  • Difficulty concentrating, even falling asleep while at work
  • Dilated pupils