Downers depress which system of the body

As a proud recovering addict herself, Theresa understands first-hand the struggles of addiction. There is no limit to what Theresa is willing to do to make a difference in the field of Addiction! Call A treatment facility paid to have their center promoted here. Learn more about how to be featured in a paid listing. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center.

Chats will be received and answered by one of treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser:. Central Nervous System Depressants Central nervous system depressants are medications or substances that slow brain activity, making them useful for treating anxiety, panic, and sleep disorders.

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Drugs that are classified as CNS depressants include: Alcohol Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Many Sleeping Pills Opioids 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.

Alcohol Alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Opioids Opioids are the most commonly prescribed pain medications in the United States and in much of the world. Effects of Central Nervous System Depressants Central nervous system depressants work by increasing the production of the neurotransmitter GABA, which in turn slows down brain activity and produces feelings of relaxation, drowsiness, and a number of other effects, including: Lowered blood pressure Dilated pupils Confusion or disorientation Slowed pulse and breathing Sleepiness or fatigue Difficulty urinating Dizziness Difficulty concentrating.

Memory loss Slowed reaction time Relaxation and euphoria Slurred speech Reduced inhibitions Loss of coordination Impaired judgement Blacking out. Looking for a place to start? Reach out to a treatment provider for free today. Body tremors Seizures Depression Muscular stiffness or pain Changes in perception Heart palpitations Tension Memory issues Increased blood pressure and pulse Hypersensitivity to light and sound Aches and pains.

Scroll to Find Your Insurance. Get Help During COVID With just 30 days at a rehab center, you can get clean and sober, start therapy, join a support group, and learn ways to manage your cravings. Cherry, Kendra. How Depressants Affect Your Body. Prescription CNS Depressants. Central Depressant Agent. Confidentially speak with a treatment provider: Call Chat. Access to top treatment centers Caring, supportive guidance Financial assistance options.

Make a Call - Or - Request a Call. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Depressants are drugs that inhibit the function of the central nervous system CNS and are among the most widely used drugs in the world.

These drugs operate by affecting neurons in the CNS, which leads to symptoms such as drowsiness, relaxation, decreased inhibition, anesthesia, sleep, coma, and even death. Many depressants also have the potential to be addictive. While CNS depressants all share an ability to reduce activity in the central nervous system and lower levels of awareness in the brain , there are significant differences among substances within this drug class.

Some are safer than others and several are routinely prescribed for medicinal purposes. Drugs that are classed as depressants include:. Alcohol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is the second most widely used psychoactive drug in the world caffeine is number one.

While alcohol is a legal drug, it also has a high potential for abuse. Barbiturates sometimes referred to as downers, are a type of CNS depressant that causes euphoria and relaxation when taken in small doses. During the early half of the s, barbiturates were viewed as a safe depressant, but problems with addiction and deadly overdoses soon became apparent.

Barbiturates have a dramatic impact on sleep patterns, resulting in suppressed REM rapid eye movement sleep. Because the potential for addiction and overdose is so high, barbiturates are no longer commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep problems. Benzodiazepines are a type of CNS depressant widely prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.

In , four different benzodiazepines were among the top most prescribed drugs in the U. Because of their low toxicity and high effectiveness, benzodiazepines have been popularly used as a short-term treatment for anxiety problems and insomnia. However, the potential for dependency makes them a less preferred long-term treatment for such things as generalized anxiety disorder , post-traumatic stress disorders , and panic disorders.

Benzodiazepines have sleep-inducing, sedative, muscle-relaxing, and anticonvulsant effects. Because of these effects, benzodiazepines have been used to treat a number of issues including sleep difficulties, anxiety, excessive agitation, muscle spasms, and seizures. Benzodiazepines are generally viewed as safe in the short-term, but long-term use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Depressants are often used to relieve symptoms associated with a number of different disorders, including:.

Like other neurotransmitters , GABA carries messages from one cell to another. By increasing the amount of GABA activity, brain activity is reduced, leading to a relaxing effect. This is why taking depressants can result in feelings of drowsiness. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. It also taught him the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and having a strong ethical framework.

James began his personal recovery journey in Throughout that process, he learned the importance of helping others and living by spiritual principles. Throughout his recovery, James has used his personal story to help make a difference in the lives of others. Over the years he grew into becoming an advocate for people in recovery or seeking recovery from substance use disorders.

James is a CCAR Recovery Coach and believes in developing meaningful relationships, and providing highly individualized therapy and client care. In , James had the opportunity to combine his business experience and passion for recovery to start The Freedom Center. Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey.

Having faced addiction in his own life, and having worked through recovery, James truly understands what it takes to get sober and stay sober. James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery. James works alongside the clinical director and administrative team to help ensure that every client benefits from a customized treatment plan and holistic approach that offers freedom from the grips of addiction.

Meet Federico Douglas. Federico is a certified A. With strong ties to Victory Christian Church and the step community, Federico shares an amazing personal story of redemption and long-term recovery. With over 32 years in the arena of addiction and sobriety, he uses his vast experience to provide a unique approach to mentorship and guiding our clients toward a supportive lifestyle of recovery. With a robust foundation in step philosophy, Federico can not only educate the clients on the model, but also integrate the tried-and-true principles in a more personal, clinical setting.

She joined The Freedom Center team to provide counseling for substance use disorders and related mental health issues on an individual basis, facilitate group sessions, provide assessments, and provide support to the clinical staff. Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery.

Meet Cheryl Moore. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. Her experience in a variety of settings, from leadership in a hospital setting to private practice, affords Cheryl a well-rounded skillset ready to render top-notch care and serve the needs of our diverse community. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder.

Meet Mr. Kevin Sockwell. Judy is a Primary Therapist who provides services to clients with dual-diagnosis disorders and is skilled in providing Trauma-Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Eating Disorders. She has served in both clinical and leadership positions in a number of roles, in inpatient and outpatient settings, as a Primary Therapist and Clinical Supervisor. Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues.

She served as a Wellness coordinator at Search for Change, Inc and currently serves as an Independent Practice Coach from to present. As the Family Nurse Practitioner, Deirdre performs history and physical exams, and works with clients to diagnose and treat dual diagnosis clients. He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training.

Prior to being hired at The Freedom Center, he spent over twenty years working in the field of addictions treatment, and has been involved in nearly every treatment setting, from outpatient to residential to maintenance management. As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client.

What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential.

A veteran of two branches of the U. Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting.

Accruing years of hands-on experience working alongside the administrators of facilities across the country in development of their own unique programs gave Max a unique and robust perspective into the administrative requirements of addiction treatment programs. Today, Max is able to channel his passion for battling the disease of addiction into ensuring The Freedom Center maintains strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by The Joint Commission and our partnerships in the insurance industry, and is constantly striving to improve the overall performance of the facility.