Depressants (E2) Flashcards
Drugs that slow down the body’s central nervous system (CNS) functions, such as heart rate and respiration.
What are depressants?
This type of depressant is designed to REALLY take the edge off (very strong) and can completely suppress your consciousness.
What is a sedative?
This type of depressant is designed to completely calm you down without totally affecting your consciousness.
What is a tranquilizer?
This type of depressant is designed to induce sleep.
What is a hypnotic?
If taking 1 depressant calms you down, what would happen if you took multiple at once?
It would affect you to a much greater degree
What is a more common/street name for depressants?
Downers
These depressants were developed in the late 1800s from barbituric acid.
What are barbiturates?
List 3 medical uses for barbiturates.
1) Treating anxiety
2) Treating seizures
3) Anesthesia (occasional)
Given that there is acceptable medical use, what Schedules do barbiturates fall under?
Schedules II through IV
Even though there is acceptable medical use for barbiturates, why are they not included in Schedule V?
Schedule V drugs bear the lowest risk of abuse, and barbiturates still bear a significant likelihood of abuse
What is the common/street name for barbiturates?
Barbies
These super-strong depressants were developed in the 1950s BUT were discontinued in the 1980s.
What are methaqualones?
Why were methaqualones discontinued?
They were incredibly strong and bore a very high likelihood of abuse with no reasonable/accepted medical use
Since methaqualones are banned, extremely addictive, and bear no accepted medical use, what Schedule do they belong to?
Schedule I
What is the common/street name for methaqualones?
Quaaludes
These depressants were discovered around the ’50s for the same purpose as barbiturates but are considered a safer alternative.
What are benzodiazepines?
Given that they work so well, what is a severe bodily risk of abusing benzodiazepines?
Physical dependence
Assume you have developed a physical dependence on benzodiazepines. What would happen if you were to quit cold turkey?
You’d die
List 3 common examples of benzodiazepines.
1) Xanax
2) Valium
3) Rohypnol (i.e., roofies)
What is the common/street name for benzodiazepines?
Benzos
How are benzos beneficial to alcoholics who are in detox?
They are anti-convulsants, meaning they prevent seizures
