Depressants

Substance Use and Abuse

Depressants have been around for centuries date back as far as 3400 BC.

Come from many different plants such as California Poppies, Lavender, and wild lettuce.

The first and most basic depressants were herbs and alcohol have been used to ease pain and induce sleep.

It is a drug that slow down functions in the body.

Origin

Alcohol Alcohol is a legal depressant for people over the age of 21. It

suppresses the activity of the mind and body of those who consume it.

Barbituates Barbituates are a prescribed medication for anxiety and insomnia.

Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are a prescribed medication for anxiety and for

their tranquilizing effect. Gamma Hydroxybutyrate

GHB is a depressant associated with sexual assault. Marijuana and Inhalants

Marijuana is a depressant as well as a minor hallucinogen.

Examples of depressants

Booze Downers or downs forget-me-pills roofies yellow jackets Blues or Blue devils Fender Benders, Florinal Green Dragons Goofballs Ludes Rainbows Reds or Red Devils Sleepers Tranqs

Common Street Names

They prescribed pill or capsule by doctors to tranquilize or relieve anxiety, irritability, and tension

May also be used to sedate or induce sleepConsumed orally (pill or liquid), injection, or

smoked

How is the drug consumed or used?

Calm, relaxationLack of facial expression or animation.Skin may feel cold and clammyAltered senses, reduced anxiety,Behaviour similar to alcohol intoxicationStumbling, lack of coordination, slurred speechFalling asleep (nodding), difficulty concentratingDilated pupilsDecreases body temperature and heart rateNausea, Increased perspirationDepressants taken in combination with each other or with

alcohol, have the potential to cause serious impairment or death.

Short term effects

Physical dependenceLoss of coordination in motor skills, slurred speechImpaired judgmentHallucinations, paranoiaImpaired memoryPsychotic episodesAltered eyesightChronic fatigueDecreased libidoIrregular menstrual cycleRespiratory depressionConvulsions

Long term effects

You could be arrested for having drugs that a not yours

You could have your driver’s license suspended or revoked.

It is possible that you can be expelled from school.

When you apply to college, you could be rejected for abusing drugs.

Legal Ramifications of using or selling

The Drug

Talk to Your DoctorFind a Meeting

local Narcotics Anonymous group Go Online

find more informationIntervention

Go to a rehab center

Where to go for Help?

http://www.soyouwanna.com/drugs-5384.htmlhttp://youthondrugs.com/drugs/depressantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressanthttp://

www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/selfhelp/leaflets/drugs

Work Cited