Depressants (E2)

Question 1

Drugs that slow down the body’s central nervous system (CNS) functions, such as heart rate and respiration.

Answer 1

What are depressants?

Question 2

This type of depressant is designed to REALLY take the edge off (very strong) and can completely suppress your consciousness.

Answer 2

What is a sedative?

Question 3

This type of depressant is designed to completely calm you down without totally affecting your consciousness.

Answer 3

What is a tranquilizer?

Question 4

This type of depressant is designed to induce sleep.

Answer 4

What is a hypnotic?

Question 5

If taking 1 depressant calms you down, what would happen if you took multiple at once?

Answer 5

It would affect you to a much greater degree

Question 6

What is a more common/street name for depressants?

Answer 6

Downers

Question 7

These depressants were developed in the late 1800s from barbituric acid.

Answer 7

What are barbiturates?

Question 8

List 3 medical uses for barbiturates.

Answer 8

1) Treating anxiety
2) Treating seizures
3) Anesthesia (occasional)

Question 9

Given that there is acceptable medical use, what Schedules do barbiturates fall under?

Answer 9

Schedules II through IV

Question 10

Even though there is acceptable medical use for barbiturates, why are they not included in Schedule V?

Answer 10

Schedule V drugs bear the lowest risk of abuse, and barbiturates still bear a significant likelihood of abuse

Question 11

What is the common/street name for barbiturates?

Answer 11

Barbies

Question 12

These super-strong depressants were developed in the 1950s BUT were discontinued in the 1980s.

Answer 12

What are methaqualones?

Question 13

Why were methaqualones discontinued?

Answer 13

They were incredibly strong and bore a very high likelihood of abuse with no reasonable/accepted medical use

Question 14

Since methaqualones are banned, extremely addictive, and bear no accepted medical use, what Schedule do they belong to?

Answer 14

Schedule I

Question 15

What is the common/street name for methaqualones?

Answer 15

Quaaludes

Question 16

These depressants were discovered around the ’50s for the same purpose as barbiturates but are considered a safer alternative.

Answer 16

What are benzodiazepines?

Question 17

Given that they work so well, what is a severe bodily risk of abusing benzodiazepines?

Answer 17

Physical dependence

Question 18

Assume you have developed a physical dependence on benzodiazepines. What would happen if you were to quit cold turkey?

Answer 18

You’d die

Question 19

List 3 common examples of benzodiazepines.

Answer 19

1) Xanax
2) Valium
3) Rohypnol (i.e., roofies)

Question 20

What is the common/street name for benzodiazepines?

Answer 20

Benzos

Question 21

How are benzos beneficial to alcoholics who are in detox?

Answer 21

They are anti-convulsants, meaning they prevent seizures