Sedatives are prescription medications that slow down the actions of the central nervous system, making them useful for treating several conditions like anxiety or insomnia. These drugs are highly addictive, which underscores the need to use them with extreme caution. Improper or excessive use of sedatives can lead to addiction or deadly overdose.
What are sedative drugs?
Sedatives are a class of drugs that are characterized by their depressant effect on the nervous system. By slowing down nervous system activity, they create a deep calming sensation or drowsiness. Sedative drugs such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines can be used to treat a variety of conditions wherein nervous system activity is excessively high. These include anxiety, panic, insomnia, or seizures.
Though they may be prescribed by a medical doctor and used as directed, sedative addiction is possible. The pleasant calming effects and euphoric sensations make sedatives highly addictive, increasing their potential for abuse and addiction. When taken at high doses, sedative use can also cause over-sedation that can lead to dangerous depression of essential functions like breathing and lead to death.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates depress the nervous system by binding to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the nervous system, which is responsible for sending calming messages to the body. Through this action, the body’s central nervous system is depressed – muscles relax, the heart rate and breathing slow, and brain cells become less responsive to nerve impulses.
This class of sedatives has largely fallen out of favor in the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders due to its highly addictive nature and severity of effects. Instead, they are used in pre-operative care to sedate patients before they undergo surgery. Commonly used barbiturates include:
- Amytal (amobarbital)
- Luminal (phenobarbital)
- Fiorinal/Fioricet (butalbital)
- Seconal (secobarbital)
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines, or benzos, are considered much safer than barbiturates, so they are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. Unlike barbiturates, benzodiazepines do not stimulate the GABA receptor directly; instead, they help GABA work more efficiently, so they don’t severely depress the nervous system in the same way barbiturates do. The most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines are:
- Ativan (lorazepam)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Klonopin (clonazepam)
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Halcion (triazolam)
- Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
- Nembutal (pentobarbital)
- Rohypnol (flunitrazepam)
Nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics
Nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics are a newer class of sedatives that were designed to treat sleep disorders. They have a similar effect to benzodiazepines and are considered less likely to cause overdose. These include:
- Ambien (zolpidem)
- Sonata (zaleplon)
- Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Effects of sedatives
When taken to treat anxiety or insomnia, sedatives can alleviate unpleasant symptoms of panic or hyper-alertness and induce feelings of relaxation. This occurs when they stimulate the production of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain. As a result, brain activity slows and a person feels calmer and more relaxed. Like all drugs, sedatives have other unintended side effects like dizziness.
When taken recreationally, the sedative effects may cause the user to feel euphoric, which is why the drugs have such a high potential for abuse. According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), sedatives such as benzodiazepines are considered controlled substances.
Short-term effects
Short-term effects of sedative use may include:
- Drowsiness
- Lack of focus
- Impaired judgment
- Impaired memory
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
- Low blood pressure
- Depressed respiration
Long-term effects
Long-term effects of sedative abuse include:
- Mood swings
- Increasingly risky behavior
- Higher likelihood of tolerance and withdrawal
- Dependence and addiction
- Increased risk of overdose
- Worsened symptoms of anxiety or depression
Addiction is not always obvious, especially to the person who is addicted. Sedative addiction may begin at any time, even when the drug has been taken exactly as prescribed. Behavioral signs of addiction may be noticeable to the user and those around them. These signs include:
- Self-medicating with sedatives even when medical need subsides
- Attempting to buy or steal sedatives
- Taking sedatives at higher doses or more frequently than prescribed
- Using sedatives in conjunction with other substances like alcohol or opioids
- Doctor shopping to obtain additional prescriptions
- Developing tolerance to sedatives
- Continuing sedative use despite problems they cause with family or friends
- Neglecting school or work because of sedative use
- Spending less time on hobbies or other enjoyable activities because of sedative use
There is a relatively low risk of sedative overdose when they are taken as prescribed. However, if larger doses are used than recommended or sedatives are combined with other substances, overdose becomes more likely. The largest risk occurs when sedatives are combined with other depressants as their combined effect on the heart and respiratory systems could lead to death. Symptoms of sedative overdose include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe drowsiness
- Stupor
- Memory loss
- Impeded coordination
- Sluggishness
- Brain fog that impedes clear thought
- Depressed respiration
- Coma
Since sedative overdose can be fatal, suspected overdose should be treated like a medical emergency. You should call 911 and remain with the person until first responders arrive.
Most sedative drugs are intended for short-term use. Prolonged use can increase the risk of addiction. Physical dependence is one of the hallmarks of addiction and it is evidenced through withdrawal symptoms. When a person becomes physically dependent on a drug or substance, it adjusts to the drug, and withdrawal occurs when drug use is discontinued. In other words, the body is no longer able to function normally without the use of the substance.
Withdrawal severity depends on the type of sedative used and how long the body has been accustomed to that sedative. Usually symptoms begin hours or days after last use, and they may persist for several days.
Sedative withdrawal symptoms include:
- Excessive sweating
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Increased anxiety
- Tremors or jerky movements
- Vomiting
- Elevated heart rate
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
Since sedatives are usually taken to manage other symptoms like anxiety or insomnia, withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and exacerbate the original condition the sedatives were meant to treat. The risk of dangerous withdrawal is higher in those who are older or who have been taking sedatives for longer periods or in larger doses.
Medical detox is recommended to avoid serious withdrawal complications like hallucinations or seizures. During medical detox, a person can slowly wean off sedatives in a hospital or rehab center under supervision of doctors and medical staff. In addition to monitoring vitals, medical professionals can provide medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment for sedative addiction
Sedatives addiction is typically treated using medical or pharmaceutical care in conjunction with therapeutic intervention. The first step in sedative addiction treatment is detox, which takes place at an inpatient rehab center. This helps the person fully eliminate the substance and returns their body to equilibrium without the presence of sedatives.
Behavioral therapy is used to address mental health issues related to sedative use. Therapy may include a mix of individual and group therapy that helps individuals uncover triggers and other factors that worsen their drug use. Therapy also functions as an educational tool to teach relapse prevention strategies and stress management that can support individuals in long-term recovery.
Following inpatient therapy, recovering addicts are encouraged to continue therapy as part of outpatient treatment. Aftercare, which involves attending regular therapy or peer group meetings, can also help maintain recovery over a long period of time.
Sedative Abuse Recovery at Austin Pines Ranch
Austin Pines Ranch is conveniently located in the Austin Metropolitan Area, where we welcome anyone who wants to take their sedative abuse recovery into their own hands. We provide effective and individualized addiction treatment services for people from all walks of life. Our beautiful 14-acre ranch offers peace and privacy to help you safely recover from substance abuse and addiction.
If you or a loved one is suffering from sedative addiction or abuse, contact our addiction treatment center today at (877) 982-3600. Our knowledgeable staff includes medical doctors, nurses, addiction specialists, therapists, and case workers who are committed to your care. Whether you live in Texas or you’re traveling here to stay with us, Austin Pines can provide a safe haven to start a healthier drug-free life.
