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Q: What are sedative-hypnotics?
A: Sedative-hypnotics are drugs that depress or slow down the body's functions. Often referred to as tranquilizers and sleeping pills or sometimes just as sedatives, their effects range from calming down anxious people to promoting sleep. Both tranquilizers and sleeping pills can have either effect, depending on how much is taken. At high doses or when they are abused, many can even cause unconsciousness and death.
Q: What are some of the sedative-hypnotics?
A: Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are the two major categories of sedative-hypnotic drugs, all containing components similar in chemical structure. Some well-known barbiturates are secobarbital (Seconal) and pentobarbital (Nembutal). Diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), chlorazepate (Tranxene), lorazepan (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax) are examples of benzodiazepines, also sold on the street as downers. Some sedative-hypnotics that fit neither sleeping pill nor sedative category include methaqualone (Quaalude), ethchlovynol (Placidyl), chloral hydrate (Noctec), and mebrobamate (Miltown). All of these drugs can be dangerous when not taken according to a physician's instructions.
All the other sedative-hypnotics can be abused, including the benzodiazepines. Like barbiturates, tolerance and dependence can develop if benzodiazepines are taken regularly in high doses over prolonged periods of time. Other sedative-hypnotics that are abused include glutethimide (Doriden), ethchlorvynol (Placidyl), and methaqualone (Sopor, Quaalude).
Alcohol is another sedative-hypnotic that is often abused. Combining alcohol and other sedative-hypnotics with drugs that slow down the body multiplies the effects and greatly increases the risk of death. Overdose deaths can occur when barbiturates and alcohol are used together, either deliberately or accidentally.
Q: Can sedative-hypnotics cause dependence?
A: Yes. They can cause both physical and psychological dependence. Regular long-time use may result in tolerance, which requires larger and larger doses to get the same effects. When habitual users stop using large doses of these drugs suddenly, they may develop physical withdrawal symptoms ranging from restlessness, insomnia and anxiety, to convulsions and death. When users become psychologically dependent, they feel as if they need the drug to function. Finding and using the drug becomes a main focus in life.
Q: Can sedative-hypnotics affect an unborn fetus?
A: Yes. Babies born to mothers who abuse sedatives during their pregnancy may be physically dependent on the drugs and show withdrawal symptoms shortly after they are born. Their symptoms may include breathing problems, feeding difficulties, disturbed sleep, sweating, irritability and fever. Furthermore, many sedative-hypnotics pass through the placenta easily, causing birth defects and behavioral problems.
Q: What are barbiturates and their effects when abused?
A: Barbiturates are often called "barbs" and "downers." Commonly abused barbiturates include amobarbital (Amytal), pentobarbital (Nembutal) and secobarbital (Seconal). These drugs are sold in capsules, tablets or a liquid suppository.
The effects of barbiturates are, in many ways, similar to the effects of alcohol. Small amounts produce calmness and relax muscles while larger doses can cause slurred speech, staggering gait, poor judgment and slow, uncertain reflexes. All these effects create a dangerous situation for driving a car or operating machinery. Moreover, large doses can cause unconsciousness and death.
Barbiturate overdose is a factor in nearly one-third of all reported drug related deaths, including suicides and accidental drug poisonings. Accidental deaths sometimes occur when a user takes one dose, becomes confused and unintentionally takes additional or larger doses. With barbiturates, there is little difference between the amount that produces sleep and the amount that kills, and, barbiturate withdrawal can be more serious than heroin withdrawal.
Q: What is Methaqualone?
A: Methaqualone ("Sopors", "Ludes") was originally prescribed to reduce anxiety during the day and as a sleeping aid. It is one of the most commonly abused drugs and can cause both physical and psychological dependence. The dangers from abusing methaqualone include: injury or death from car accidents caused by faulty judgment and drowsiness or convulsions, coma and death from overdose. Because of these problems, Methaqualone is no longer legally manufactured in the United States.
Q: What are sedative-hypnotic "look alikes?"
A: Manufactured to look like real sedative- hypnotics and mimic their effects, look alikes may contain over-the-counter drugs such as antihistamines and decongestants, which tend to cause drowsiness. The negative effects can include nausea, stomach cramps, lack of coordination, temporary memory loss, losing touch with surroundings and anxiety.
The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital and Advocate BroMenn Medical Center provides assessment and treatment services for the compulsive shopper and spender. Counselors trained in the identification and treatment of compulsive shopping and spending provide assessments to determine if this problem exists and if so, to suggest appropriate placement into a level of care or treatment. A free, confidential assessment may be scheduled by calling the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at 1-800-522-3784.
If you have questions regarding addictions, call 800/522-3784,
or write to
Rick Zehr at Proctor Hospital, 5409 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL 61614.
Or E-Mail: zehr@addictionrecov.org
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