PRESCRIPTION DEPRESSANTS

Prescriptions account for the second most abused kind of illicit drug following marijuana.  Though they have a great deal of beneficial use when taken as prescribed and by the people for whom they are meant, addiction and other unwanted side effects if used by anyone else.  

CNS DEPRSSANTS

Central Nervous System Depressants cover a number of different medications.  These include barbituates used as preanesthetics to promote sleep, such as mephobarbital (Mebaral) and sodium pentobarbital (Nembutal), Benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and estazolam (ProSom), as well as sleep medications including zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), and eszopiclone (Lunesta).  

EFFECTS ON MIND

- Drowsiness
- Poor Judgment
- Confusion
- Lack of Coordination

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EFFECTS ON BODY

- Slow or Slurred Speech
- Slowed Breathing
- Slowed Heart Rate
- Lethargy

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WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Increased Heart Rate
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations

OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS

- Trouble breathing
- Bluish fingernails or lips
- Confusion
- Extreme Dizziness

- Slow or Slurred Speech
- Blurred Vision or Double Vision

- Weakness
- Tremors
- Profoundly Altered Mental Status
- Loss of Consciousness

WHAT TO DO FOR SOMEONE OVERDOSING

- Call for Medical Assistance Immediately
- Stay with the person until help arrives