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Use of sedativesThe body can slow down physiological as well as mentally due to sedatives. Sedatives are compounds that cause physiological
and mental slowing of the body. The most widely prescribed and best-studied sedatives belong to a
group called benzodiazepines. They have many legitimate medical uses. However, people who use them
improperly may develop symptoms of abuse, dependence, and withdrawal. Several other classes of
compounds, including sleep-promoting drugs (hypnotics) and some anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) drugs
produce effects and disorders similar to those of sedatives. Sedatives are often referred to as
tranquilizers, and the similar classes of sedatives and hypnotics are sometimes thought of as one
group: the sedative-hypnotics.
Sedatives and similar drugs are available by prescription and have many medical uses. They are used in conjunction with surgery and are prescribed to treat pain, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and in some cases convulsions. Most people who take prescription sedatives take them exactly as prescribed will benefit from their use. In this case, they rarely create major health risks . Some people misuse these drugs. They may do so unintentionally by increasing their prescribed dose without medical advice. Intentional abusers buy these drugs off the street for recreational use or get them from friends or family members who have prescriptions. Sedatives are not popular street drugs, and when they are used recreationally, it is usually in conjunction with other illicit drugs or alcohol. Sedatives and other drugs in this class are physically and sometimes psychologically addicting. People taking sedatives, rapidly develop tolerance for the drugs. Tolerance occurs when an ever larger dose must be taken to produce the same effect. Because sedatives are physically addicting, people with sedative dependence experience physical withdrawal symptoms when these drugs are discontinued. Sedatives encourage the transition from being awake to a light drowse, making it easier to fall asleep. The drawback, however, is that sedatives upset the further sleep cycle. They have a negative influence on the 2 sleep phases that are essential for a good quality night's rest: the dream phase and the sleep. The dream phase's task is to refresh our minds and to let us process the experiences that we've encountered throughout the day. A partial suppression of this phase could influence our psychological functioning at daytime. Furthermore, sedatives reduce the length of the deep sleep, that makes sure we are well rested in the morning The best way to prevent sedative-related disorders is to take these drugs only for the exact length of time and in the exact amount prescribed by a doctor. |