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Sedatives
Like alcohol and tranquilizers, sedatives depress the nervous system. They have a calming effect and help induce sleep. Of the four groups of sedatives, barbiturates are the most commonly abused and the most addictive. Tolerance develops rapidly, so large doses are often taken and sometimes result in a life-threatening overdose. All sedatives require prescriptions.
The second sedative group consists of benzodiazepines, a class of tranquilizers with strong sedative qualities that are frequently prescribed as sleeping medications. The ones that remain in the body the longest can accumulate, causing poor coordination and sedation during the following day. Tolerance develops more slowly to these drugs, so while they are addicting, longer exposure is needed to become addicted.
The third sedative group consists of barbiturate-like drugs that are highly addicting and are no longer prescribed regularly.
The fourth group of sedatives consists of newer drugs, not benzodiazepines or barbiturates, that are now being prescribed.
Types
Barbiturates
The most commonly abused barbiturates are Pentabarbital (Nembutal), Secobarbital (Seconal), and Amobarbital (Amytal). Larger and larger doses are needed as the body accommodates to regular barbiturate use. When alcohol is used along with sedatives, particularly barbiturates, sedatives have additive effects that cause excessive levels of depressants in the body. This is one of the ways that overdoses occur. Depression of the respiratory center of the brain causes death from an inability to breathe.
Benzodiazepines
Many doctors prescribe the sedating members of this group of drugs as modern sleeping medications. Although these medications are relatively safe, some people do become addicted to both types of benzodiazapines, the sedatives as well as those used as tranquilizers. Temazepam (Restoril), flurazepam (Dalmane), and triazolam (Halcion) are the most frequently used.
Barbiturate-Like Sedatives
Members of this group such as Placidyl, Miltown, Doriden, Noludar and Quaaludes are often abused and are very addicting. Many states have prohibited prescription sale of these drugs.
Other Sedatives
Newer drugs are being used that are not as addicting as other sedatives but can cause problems similar to those of sedatives. Zolpidem (Ambien), the first of the newer sedatives, is a valuable, mild, short-term sleeping medication, but a few individuals experience nightmares or amnesia the morning after taking it. Zaleplon (Sonata) is the newest of these medications. Its action occurs for a short time, approximately 3-4 hours, and helps people to fall asleep but not to stay asleep for a whole night.
Trazadone (Desyrel), an older antidepressant, is more effective as a sedative than as an antidepressant. It helps many people get a healthy night's sleep, but it has a slow onset and may leave people mildly sleepy after awakening the first time they use it. Desyrel has almost no addictive potential, which makes it a possible medication for addicted individuals who have severe, chronic insomnia.
Methods Of Use
Sedatives are usually swallowed or injected.
Effects On The Central Nervous System
Barbiturates seem to have direct depressant effects on the brain areas that regulate wakefulness and alertness, and they also act directly on nerve cells in the spinal cord. They enhance the action of receptors that inhibit stimulation of the central nervous system and, conversely, they inhibit the action of the receptors that stimulate the nervous system. In other words, if the nervous system were a car, these drugs help use the brakes but make using the gas harder to do.
Intoxication
Sedatives are powerful drugs designed to be used in medical contexts for only short periods of time and in limited contexts. Abusive or improper use may result in unpleasant and/or dangerous side effects such as:
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Dizziness
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Mood swings
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Confusion
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Changes in vision
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Increased sex drive
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Nausea and vomiting
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Failure of reflex responses
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Depressed blood pressure
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Depressed heart rate
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Depressed breathing
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Abdominal pain
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Low body temperature
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Weak pulse
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Life Risks
Increasing depression of respiratory (breathing) functions by sedatives may cause death. These drugs are particularly dangerous in combination with other depressants, including alcohol, and are also dangerous in overdose. Newer and safer anti-anxiety medications were developed partly because of the danger of these drugs and their unpleasant side effects.
Withdrawal
Essentially, withdrawal symptoms for sedatives feel like the opposite of the therapeutic effects. Withdrawal may be especially risky medically and uncomfortable. Symptoms include jittery, shaky feelings and any of the following:
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Rapid heartbeat
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Shaky hands
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Insomnia
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Nausea and vomiting
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Hallucinations
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Anxiety
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Seizures
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