Doctors prescribe depressants for anxiety, insomnia, and seizures because they slow the central nervous system. That same slowing effect makes them risky. The dangers of depressants include dependence, addiction, and overdose. The risk rises sharply when two depressants are taken together, such as alcohol and a benzodiazepine.
What are Depressants?
Depressants are substances that slow brain activity. Most prescription depressants increase GABA activity. GABA is a chemical messenger that quiets nerve signals, which produces the calm, drowsy feeling these drugs are known for. For a full breakdown of drug classes, see what a depressant is.
Common depressants include:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Klonopin, Restoril
- Barbiturates: Seconal, Amytal, Luminal, Nembutal
- Sleep medications: Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata
The National Institute on Drug Abuse keeps drug-by-drug profiles that cover these substances in more detail.
Opioids belong to a separate drug class, but they also slow breathing. That shared effect makes them especially dangerous when combined with any depressant.
Short-Term Effects of Depressants
The short-term effects of depressants come from slowing the brain and body. They include:
- Drowsiness and relaxation
- Slowed pulse and breathing
- Lowered blood pressure
- Dizziness and confusion
- Trouble concentrating
- Slurred speech
- Memory gaps
- Loss of coordination
- Impaired judgment
These side effects of depressants explain why accidental injury is one of their most immediate dangers. Slowed reaction time and poor coordination lead to falls, car crashes, and on-the-job accidents. Coworkers and family members often notice the signs of impairment at work or at home before the person using it does.
Long-Term Effects of Depressants
Regular use changes how the brain responds to depressants. Over time, the same dose produces less effect, so people take more to feel the same relief. That cycle of tolerance leads to physical dependence and, for many people, addiction.
Long-term effects of depressants can include:
- Tolerance and physical dependence
- Addiction
- Ongoing memory and concentration problems
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Sexual dysfunction
- Rebound anxiety or insomnia when a dose wears off
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Dangers of depressants
Continued depressant use increases tolerance levels, causing the individual to consume higher doses of their substance of choice in order to obtain the same effects. This increased consumption and tolerance can cause a person to develop dependence and addiction.
Dangers of depressants include:
- Accidental injury
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Sexual dysfunction
- Substance dependence
- Addiction
- Overdose
How Mixing Alcohol and Depressants Raises Overdose Risk
Each depressant slows breathing on its own. Together, the effects stack. A dose of a benzodiazepine that is safe by itself can become life-threatening after a few drinks, and even moderate alcohol use can cause an adverse interaction with prescription depressants.
Depressants should not be combined with anything else that causes drowsiness. That includes alcohol, opioid pain medications, and some over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines. People who regularly mix substances face a higher overdose risk and often need treatment built for combining multiple substances.
Signs of a Depressant Drug Overdose:
A depressant overdose happens when breathing and heart rate slow to dangerous levels. Signs include:
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Extreme drowsiness or inability to wake up
- Confusion or slurred speech
- Staggering or limp limbs
- Low blood pressure and a weak pulse
- Bluish lips or fingertips
- Unresponsiveness or coma
A depressant overdose is a medical emergency. Call 911 right away. Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdoses but not alcohol or benzodiazepine overdoses on their own. If opioids could be involved, give naloxone while waiting for help.
Signs of Depressant Use Disorder
Whether the substance problem involves benzodiazepines, barbiturates, hypnotics or alcohol, these signs could indicate that someone is dealing with depressant use disorder:
- Trying to cut back or quit without success
- Spending a lot of time thinking about, getting, or using the substance
- Getting the substance through doctor shopping, theft, or illegal sources
- Hiding or lying about how much is being used
- Missing work or straining relationships because of use or withdrawal
- Continuing to use despite health, legal, or personal consequences
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the effects wear off
Dependence can develop even when use starts with a legitimate prescription, especially with long-term benzodiazepine use.
Depressant Addiction Treatment at Ashley
Treatment starts with medical detox at Ashley Addiction Treatment’s main campus in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Medical staff manage withdrawal on-site, which lowers the risk of seizures and other complications.
After detox, patients continue into care matched to the substance and their needs. Options include benzodiazepine addiction treatment and alcohol addiction treatment, delivered through residential inpatient care or outpatient programs at our Bel Air location. Every program combines individual therapy, group counseling, and family services. Each patient leaves with a structured aftercare plan to assist with ongoing support.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or another depressant, call Ashley Addiction Treatment at 800-799-4673 or start an admissions inquiry.
