Overdoses of prescription painkillers in the U.S. is a growing problem, especially among women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Addiction to CNS depressants may see a person experience social and family problems, difficulty working, and an inability to function in daily. Prescription benzodiazepines and opioids carry the highest level of warning from the U.S. As a recreational drug, people sometimes call them barbs, downers, or phennies, among other names. In 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strengthened their warning that benzodiazepine use can lead to addiction. Combined with alcohol, opiods, and other CNS depressants, they can be life-threatening.

1. Currently, most barbiturates are classified as Schedule III controlled substances, although some types, such as phenobarbital, are Schedule IV instead.
2. While naltrexone is usually tolerated well, it can have side effects that can range in severity.
3. Antihistamines, one such example, act at histamine receptors and cause drowsiness as a side effect.
4. The most common type of GABAA receptor has two α subunits, two β subunits, and one γ subunit, as seen in the diagram below.

Review the ingredient labels on over-the-counter (OTC) products to check for active and inactive ingredients, like alcohol. If severe CNS depression is left untreated, it can be fatal for the person living with the condition. This comprehensive approach addresses the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of dual diagnoses, offering individuals the tools needed for sustainable recovery and a healthier future. “Therapeutic interventions designed to address both issues often include a focus on addressing emotional pain or trauma, as well as developing and practicing healthy coping behaviors,” says Kennedy. “Cells are living beings, and if you want to fix the issue of depression at the level of the cells, they cannot be inebriated,” says Taylor. “Alcohol makes us feel drunk and confused because alcohol makes the cells drunk and nonfunctional.”

Symptoms of Central Nervous System Depression

GABA makes nerves cells less able to send, receive, or create signals. A person should speak with a healthcare professional to learn more about healthy alcohol use. People who develop AUD continue to consume alcohol despite experiencing negative consequences. This condition can have a negative effect on health, relationships, and emotional well-being. The type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, or ethyl alcohol.

Subjects

Some of these substances, for example, codeine, are present in medications for coughs or diarrhea. These are strong pain-relieving drugs that come from opium, a substance 16 Ways To Stop Drinking Alcohol made from the seeds of the poppy. People with any of these conditions should check with a doctor before using a CNS depressant. Most of these drugs cause some combination of drowsiness, muscle relaxation, and anxiety reduction.

Furthermore, alcohol overuse can damage the body and may lead to AUD. Naltrexone and acamprosate can both reduce heavy drinking and support abstinence. Long-term overuse of alcohol can cause physical and psychological dependence.

Increased Vulnerability

That’s because you may be prone to taking more medication than prescribed or combining medication with other drugs or alcohol. In small doses, these drugs slow brain function, producing a calm or sleepy feeling. The danger is when the CNS is slowed too much, which can lead to unconsciousness, coma, and death. Research indicates that it can have negative effects even in low amounts.

Anxiolytics were primarily benzodiazepines, and sleep medicines were predominantly zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, and ramelteon. To exclude medications used short-term for acute medical problems, we extracted only records for which medications were prescribed for 30 days or more. Limitations notwithstanding, it is clear that the number of individuals at risk for adverse alcohol-drug interactions has increased markedly.

Inhalant is an umbrella term that refers to numerous chemicals that can be inhaled to produce intoxication. These chemicals can be found in various household goods and cleaning supplies such as glues, aerosol sprays, paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, whipped cream, and felt-tip markers. A notable inhalant is nitrous oxide, a gas used as an anesthetic in surgeries and dentistry. These substances are typically unregulated and can be easily purchased or found in products around the house. Long-acting barbiturates such as phenobarbital have low lipid solubility and are slowly absorbed. In exchange for a delayed onset (about 1 hour), effects can last for up to 12 hours.