Meaning of Depressants
Depressants are those substances that have an effect on the neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and reduce one’s arousal and stimulation and slow down the message between brain and body. The depressants affect the neurons in the nervous system which then causes various symptoms. Some depressants have an addictive nature with it.
Side effects of Depressants
1. Decrease in heart rate due to which low oxygen reaches different parts of our body.
2. Breathing rate decreases which can result in the development of infectious diseases in the lungs.
3. Message from the brain to muscles becomes slower which can cause difficulty in moving hands and legs.
4. The message system between the body and brain becomes slow.
5. The sensation of stimuli present outside becomes less; due to which the signals from the sense organs reach the brain slowly.
6. Can lead to violent and unpredictable behavior.
7. Can cause hallucinations
8. Can affect one’s concentration.
Can cause the feeling of nausea.
Addiction of Depressants
Addiction to Depressants refers to when a person consumes depressants more than the consumable amount on a regular basis. The reason for addiction to a type of depressant can be many but the main reason is that it reduces anxiety and tension and hence provides a sense of relief to the consumer. It also helps in reducing the symptoms of stress like insomnia. The consumption of a particular type of depressant over time can cause tolerance to an amount of dose and hence the consumer then increases the amount of depressant to feel high again.
The removal of a depressant can cause various withdrawal symptoms including extreme anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, sweating, high blood pressure, cravings, and cardiac death.
Signs of addiction to Depressants
- Short term signs
The short-term signs include no control over oneself, hypersomnia, confusion, memory loss, difficulty in attention, blurry vision, etc.
- Long term signs
The long term can include sleep problems, insomnia, memory loss, impaired sexual problems, less sex drive, disturb sex life, disturbance in social and family life, depression and other mental disorders and breathing difficulty.
Alcohol as a depressant
Alcohol is also a depressant that can act as a stimulant providing relief from stress and anxiety to the consumer. It helps the consumer to loosen up and relax. Excessive drinking on a regular basis has a severe effect on the neurological system of our body and it affects one’s behavior and mood. Alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant because it affects our nervous system and slows down the functioning of the brain and has a severe effect on the working of the neural activity of the nervous system. Alcohol affects our nervous system by increasing the production of a neurotransmitter known as GABA. The effect of alcohol on a person is dependent on the amount of alcohol consumed by that person.
Side effects of alcohol on our body
1. Causes brain loss, mood swings,s, and dementia.
2. Causes bleeding in the food pipe.
3. Swollen lungs and lung infection.
4. Feeling of nausea and stomach infections and ulcers in the stomach.
5. Slow coordination between brain and muscle which then causes low muscular energy and muscle loss.
6. An irregular heartbeat increases the risk of stroke and high blood pressure.
7. Causes pancreatitis.
8. Difficulty in breathing
9. Mood swings
10. Increase the risk of developing a mental disorder.
11. Headaches and difficulty in concentration and attention.
Treatment for alcohol addiction
Medications- Certain medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, and acamprosate can help to treat alcoholics.
Behavioral treatment – In this, the drinking behavior of an individual is tried to be changed or modified with the help of counseling. These are done by trained medical professionals.
Therapies – Therapies can also prove to be very effective in dealing with alcohol addiction. This includes family therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, behavior therapy, aversion therapy, psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, support groups, etc.
Conclusion
Alcohol affects everyone differently and it mostly depends upon the amount of alcohol consumed and also the duration of consumption. Even the same duration and amount of alcohol will affect two persons differently this depends mainly on the difference in body difference. It should be noted that drinking alcohol has its own disadvantages and it’s overconsumption can lead to worse.
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