Sedative Drugs Overview

What Are Sedative Drugs?

Sedative drugs are a class of drugs that primarily act to depress the central nervous system. In slowing down the activity of the nervous system, they may be useful in treating conditions in which the nervous system is hyperactive such as anxiety, insomnia, and panic disorder. The extent to which they work varies, which is why some sedative drugs have a calming effect and others create a sense of deep drowsiness.

Though they can be prescribed for various conditions, sedative drugs also have the potential for abuse and addiction. They are especially dangerous when combined with other depressant substances such as alcohol or opioids which can compound their effects. The over-sedation caused by such a combination creates the threat of deadly overdose.

Prescription Sedatives

Common prescription sedative fall into three categories:

Barbiturates

Barbiturates were originally designed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, but have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines. They may still be prescribed to manage seizures. Commonly used barbiturates include:

Amytal (amobarbital)
Fiorinal/Fioricet (butalbital)
Luminal (phenobarbital)
Seconal (secobarbital)

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, are some of the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications. They are generally more effective and safer than barbiturates and include:

Ativan (lorazepam)
Halcion (triazolam)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
Nembutal (pentobarbital)
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam)
Valium (diazepam)
Xanax (alprazolam)

Non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics

These drugs are primarily used as short-term sleep aids to alleviate insomnia and other sleeping disturbances. They include:

Ambien (zolpidem)
Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Sonata (zaleplon)

What Do Sedative Drugs Do?

The majority of sedative drugs depress the central nervous system by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Increased amounts of GABA slows down brain activity, leading to feelings of calm or drowsiness. When taken as prescribed, sedative drugs can be effective at alleviating symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders because they induce feelings of relaxation.

When taken for recreational use, sedative may make the user feel euphoric, which is why they have such a high potential for abuse. As such, many prescription sedatives are considered controlled substances by the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Sedative abuse may also lead to uncomfortable side effects like dizziness and sluggishness.

Signs And Symptoms of Sedative Addiction

Sometimes addiction is not obvious, even to the person using. Sedative addiction may come with some physical and behavioral signs. Physical symptoms of addiction may include:

Depression
Dilated pupils
Disorientation
Slurred speech
Lack of motor coordination
Impaired judgment
Dizziness
Aggressiveness
Suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior

Some behavioral signs may also suggest sedative addiction. These include:

Asking friends and family for their prescription medication
Self-medicating with tranquilizers without medical need
Using other substances like alcohol or opioids in conjunction with prescription sedatives
Visiting different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions
Taking higher or more frequent doses than prescribed
Attempting to buy or steal sedatives

Short and Long-Term Effects of Sedatives

Short-term effects may include:

Worsening of depression or anxiety
Mood swings
Risky behavior
Prolonged withdrawal syndrome
Increased risk of dependence and abuse
Increased risk of overdose or death

Long-term effects may include:

Drowsiness
Inability to focus
Impaired memory and judgement
Dizziness
Impaired coordination
Lowered blood pressure
Slowed respiration

Sedative Drugs Overdose

There is low risk of overdose when sedatives are taken as prescribed. However, when abused or combined with other depressant substances, sedatives may slow heart and respiratory systems to a dangerous degree, which can lead to overdose or death. Signs of sedative overdose include:

Stupor
Unconsciousness
Severe drowsiness
Inability to think clearly
Memory loss
Lack of coordination
Sluggishness or staggering
Slowed breathing
Coma

Overdose may lead to death, so if a person shows several symptoms of sedative overdose, it should be treated as a medical emergency, and they should be given immediate care. Most sedative overdose deaths are unintentional, meaning the individual didn’t know the risks of sedatives or didn’t take them seriously enough.

Do All Sedative Cause Withdrawal?

Many sedative drugs, including anti-anxiety medication and sleep aids, are intended only for short-term use. Continuous prolonged use can increase the risk of addiction and dependence. Nonetheless, even when taken as prescribed, physical dependence may develop, wherein the body adjusts to the changes brought on by regular sedative use. This leads to withdrawal symptoms when its use is discontinued.

Withdrawal varies depending on the type of sedative used and the length of time they were taken. Symptoms of withdrawal may emerge anywhere from hours to days after the last dose, typically peaking after a few days.

Sedative Drugs Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms of sedative withdrawal may include:

Inability to sleep
Increased anxiety
Increased sweating
Restlessness
Unintended bodily movements or tremors
Hallucinations
Nausea or vomiting
Elevated heart rate
Seizure

Addicted to Sedative Drugs?

Addiction is defined by a compulsive need for a substance that is marked by tolerance to the drug and physiological symptoms of withdrawal without it. While physical dependence may develop without addiction, addiction requires the presence of physical dependence. Signs of sedative addiction include:

Taking sedatives more often or in larger doses than prescribed
Wanting to quit but not being able to
Spending increasing amounts of time obtaining, using, and recovering from sedatives
Neglecting social and professional responsibilities due to sedative use
Continued use of sedatives despite known negative consequences
Feeling a strong urge to use
Withdrawal symptoms when sedative use is discontinued

Getting off Sedatives Safely

Sedative detox can be particularly dangerous, especially since it may exacerbate other psychological symptoms such as anxiety or depression. Without proper treatment, sedative withdrawal can also have uncomfortable and potentially dangerous side effects like hallucinations, delusions, or seizure.

The risk of deadly withdrawal increases in people taking sedatives for longer periods and in larger doses, or those that are older in age. As a result, medically supervised detox is recommended when getting off sedatives. This is done in a hospital or medical center under the care of medical staff who can monitor vital indicators and provide support and comfort as needed.

Treatment Options For Sedative Addiction

Long-term sedative addiction is typically treated by a combination of medical care and behavioral therapy. It may be necessary to taper off use of the drug rather than discontinue use all at once to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. This can be done under the supervision of a medical professional at an inpatient treatment facility to ensure safety.

The medical component is combined with behavioral therapy to address issues related to drug use. Behavioral therapy can help individuals develop healthier patterns of behavior in order to eliminate the need to use sedatives. Therapy at an inpatient facility may include individual and group sessions, providing an all-around environment of support to achieve long-term recovery. Some intensive therapies that may be appropriate for sedative addiction include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

In addition to therapy, inpatient treatment for sedative addiction is designed to foster healthy habits that naturally reduce stress and anxiety, eliminating the need for medical sedatives. These activities may include yoga, meditation, and exercise.

Continual care is essential to maintaining long-term sobriety. Most people attend follow-up visits for months or years after completing an addiction treatment program. It is also recommended to stay active in peer group counseling to nurture an external support group that can help you maintain recovery.