You can contact your doctor or speak with a counselor to gain support through treatment. If you have anxiety or a sleep disorder your doctor may prescribe you a CNS depressant, such as a sedative, to help relieve your symptoms. The most important thing is to be honest with your prescriber regarding your symptoms, and to communicate honestly. Discuss treatment goals and alternatives to the use of opiates so that opiate use is limited. Only a doctor should prescribe a CNS depressant, and people should only use these drugs for the specified purpose, according to the doctor’s instructions. CNS depression or overdose is a common cause of poisoning in many developed countries, including the U.S. and Canada.
- People who misuse the medication or become dependent on it may have more severe symptoms, such as very slow breathing and memory loss.
- It is important to call your local emergency services right away.
- Sometimes, a person may not realize they are at risk of an overdose, such as when they use opioid pain relief medication and then drink alcohol.
- They are commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
- Despite their therapeutic benefits, CNS depressants carry a significant risk of addiction and dependence, especially when used improperly or for extended periods.
- When you first begin taking a CNS depressant, you may feel unusually sleepy or uncoordinated as your body adjusts to the medication.
Non-Benzodiazepine Sleep Medications
Additionally, tolerance can develop over time, leading individuals to increase their dosage to achieve the desired effects. In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become unwelcome companions for many. As individuals seek solace from the relentless demands of daily life, they often turn to substances known as Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants.
After detoxification, a patient will typically move onto a residential inpatient or outpatient treatment program. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor. CNS depressants are mainly used to treat sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. If you are taking CNS depressant medications, some can be highly addictive.
Brain-Boosting Beverages
Since 2000, more than 300,000 Americans have died of an opioid overdose. Data for 2016 estimates at least 64,000 drug overdose deaths, the highest number ever recorded in the United States. Many CNS depressants work by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that prevents or slows the delivery of messages between cells. But, high doses of these drugs can reduce the activity of the CNS to dangerously low levels. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to a central nervous system depressant, know that you are not alone and there are treatment options available.
Understanding CNS Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Combining different CNS depressants, such as painkillers and alcohol, can be life-threatening. Each result comes with a detailed doctor’s explanation, so you’ll understand exactly what your results mean. You may also be at higher risk if you have existing respiratory problems such as emphysema and sleep apnea.
Central Nervous System Depressants
People with any of these conditions should check with a doctor before using a CNS depressant. When you first begin taking a CNS depressant, you may feel unusually sleepy or uncoordinated as your body adjusts to the medication. Discover affordable rehab centers near you, offering easy access and convenience. Stay close to family and friends while getting the support you need.
- These drugs act on the GABA receptors in a manner similar to benzodiazepines, inducing relaxation and drowsiness.
- It rules virtually every other part of your body and mind, including how you feel about and interact with the world around you.
- Someone thinking about ending their use of a CNS depressant, or who has stopped and is suffering from withdrawal, should immediately seek medical treatment.
- Barbiturates were once widely used as sedatives and sleep aids but have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines due to their high potential for abuse and overdose.
- Barbiturates are typically prescribed to reduce anxiety and treat sleep disorders.
Q. What are the long-term effects of CNS depressant addiction?
However, if you feel too sluggish or overly sleepy while taking medications that depress the CNS, talk to your doctor. There may be an alternative treatment, or perhaps your dose can be adjusted. Having a history of addiction may put you at higher risk of CNS depression. That’s because you may be prone to taking more medication than prescribed or combining medication with other drugs or alcohol. Benzodiazepines like diazepam and clonazepam are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Benzodiazepines are not prescribed for long-term use because of their high risk of developing dependence or addiction.
Different classes of CNS depressants work in different ways, but all have the ability to reduce activity in the central nervous system and lower levels of awareness in the brain. While CNS depressants all share this ability, there are significant differences among substances within this drug class. In particular, some are generally considered to be safer and are prescribed more than others. However, it’s important to note that almost all depressants have the potential to be addictive and should only be used as prescribed. Central nervous system depressants are sometimes called sedatives or tranquilizers, although those terms are more properly applied to specific categories of CNS depressants.
These drugs, although useful for treating severe cases of depression that may manifest as CNS depression, can easily be misused. The medications above depress the functions of the spinal cord and brain, both vital components of the central nervous system. Another possible side effect of central nervous system depressant use is overdose.
A variety of other things in your environment can lead to CNS depression when ingested or inhaled. One such product is ethylene glycol, a chemical found in a variety of consumer goods, including antifreeze and de-icing products. When ingested, this chemical is toxic to the CNS, kidneys, and heart.
What is CNS depression?
When your doctor prescribes a medication, make sure you understand its purpose and how long you’re expected to take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain the potential risks. Prompt treatment of CNS depression offers the best chance of a full recovery. Delayed treatment can result in irreversible damage or death.
The spinal cord handles nerve impulses, allowing your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. It rules virtually every other part of your body and mind, including how you feel about and interact with the world around you. The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. Treatment for SUD is available through counseling and supportive medications. Treatment for central nervous system (cns) depressants substance use disorder (SUD) involving CNS depressants involves drug detox and psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Kiswahili 
English