Know the facts about....


Depressants and Painkillers
What are Depressants?

Depressants are used medicinally to treat a variety of problems: acute anxiety, panic attacks, tension and irritability.



Sometimes, the number of pills lasts longer than the actual medical problem. The person continues to take them, either out of ignorance, because they incorrectly believe that more pills are better or because they enjoy the euphoria, albeit a short-lived high.



Because of the strong potency of depressants, they can be habit-forming. Gradually, the body begins to build a tolerance and more pills are required to achieve the same initial effect.



The pills are taken orally, and the effects last anywhere from one hour to 16 hours, depending on the type of pill, dosage and users tolerance.



What are the names of some depressants?




    

  •  Barbiturates

      

    •  Mephobarbital (Mebaral)

    •  Pentobarbital Sodium (Nembutal)

    

  •  Benzodiazepines

      

    •  Diazepam (Valium)

    •  Chlordiazepoxide HCI (Librium)

    •  Alprazolam (Xanax)

    •  Triazolam (Halcion)

    •  Eestazolam (ProSom)

    




Some of the street names for depressants are:

    

  •  Downers

  •  Barbs

  •  Rainbows

  •  Yellow Jackets

  •  Sleepers




How do depressants affect the body?



Depressants scramble the chemicals in the brain that allow communications between the brain cells. Depressants slow brain activity, and many abusers say they feel like they are intoxicated by alcohol.



The effects of both are very similar:


    

  •  Slurred speech

  •  Relaxed muscles that cause poor coordination

  •  Impaired judgement and difficulty remembering

  •  Sleepiness




Large doses may cause a person’s breathing to slow significantly. Also, large doses can lead to coma and death. Mixing depressants with alcohol, as well as other medications and over-the-counter cold remedies can be a deadly combination.



Newborn babies of abusers may show signs of dependence and withdrawl symptoms. Birth defects and behavioral problems are likely with babies whose parents abused depressants.




    

  •  Staggering

  •  Stumbling

  •  Falling asleep at work

  •  Difficulty concentrating

  •  Dilated (unusually large) pupils




How does someone stop the abuse?



When the brain is accustomed to the drug, withdrawing suddenly can result in serious problems. That’s because the brain goes into shock and begins racing out of control, in an attempt to compensate for the sudden change. Seizures can happen. Medical intervention to gradually ease the dependence on the drug is a must.



Painkillers



Painkillers do just what their name describes. They are prescribed by doctors after surgery or major injuries to relieve extreme pain in their patients. Unfortunately, painkillers can become a problem quickly and easily. Often, the patient continues to take the drugs after the pain has stopped. Or the person takes too many pills because they do not realize the dangers of overdosing. They believe a stronger dose will help them heal faster or because they enjoy the calmness and artificial sense of well-being. Like depressants, painkillers are strong medicine. Some addicts have been known to commit violent crimes to get more drugs. 



What are some names of painkillers?




    

  •  Propoxyphene (Darvocet)

  •  Meperidine (Demerol)

  •  Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab)

  •  Oxycodone (OxyCotin, Percodan, or Percocet)

  •  Codeine




Some street names for painkillers are:


    

  •  Dope

  •  Oxy

  •  Percs




How do painkillers affect the body?


    

  •  Lack of interest

  •  Light-headedness

  •  Slow and shallow breathing

  •  Liver and pancreas damage

  •  Temporary sense of well-being

  •  Overdose




If someone offers to give you painkillers or depressants, remember that these medications are prescribed by doctors who have examined the person and deterimed that medication was appropriate for that person, not you! Medication prescribed for one individual came seriously play havoc with your body — your metabolism, other prescribed or over-the-counter medications that you may already be taking. Only a trained physician can deterimne whether you some ingest medications. 









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