Depressants K.Cumming

Depressants Depress the central nervous system by interfering with the transmission of neural impulses in the nerve cells (neurons)

Effects of Depressants Slow down bodily functions especially motor activity and mental activity Low doses Feelings of calm and reduced anxiety Induced sleep Large doses Loss of consciousness, coma, death

Alcohol Ethanol is the only common alcohol that can be consumed. Other common alcohols such as methanol and isopropyl are much too toxic Alcohols are used as antiseptics for injections and to harden skin

Alcoholism Prolonged consumption of alcohol leads to both psychological and physiological dependence Alcoholism also results in Violent antisocial behavior Social costs to families Safety issues especially road accidents

Alcohol Consumption Short term effects Relaxation, confidence, and increased sociability Dialation of blood vessels leads to feelings of warmth Impaired judgment Lengthened neural response time

Alcohol consumption Long term effects of heavy drinking Cirrhosis of the liver and liver disease Coronary heart disease High blood pressure and strokes Dementia Miscarriage Fetal abnormalities and fetal alcohol syndrome

Alcohol Withdrawal Sudden discontinuation of alcohol by heavy drinkers leads to withdrawal symptoms including Delirium Tremors’

Legal limits for driving Most states in the US and many countries have established 0.08% blood alcohol as the legal limit for driving After drinking the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases as the alcohol is absorbed and then gradually declines

Alcohol detection Breathalyser tests Reduction of potassium dichromate to Cr3+ ion Fuel cell where alcohol is oxidized to produce an electric current Gas Chromatography Infrared spectroscopy- intoximeter

Other Depressants Certain medicines known as antidepressants are used to treat anxiety, stress, and clinical depression These include Diazepam (Valium) Nitrazepam Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac)

Fluoxetine Hydrochloride(Prozac) Prozac is an example of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) SSRIs work by preventing neurons (nerve cells) from pulling in the serotonin that is floating in the space between neurons. This allows more serotonin to build up and improves communication between the neurons.

Tranquilizers Valium

Barbituates Barbiturates are short acting, and include pentobarbital, secobarbital, and amobarbital. Affect the cortex and create a state similar to alcoholic intoxication in large doses. Extremely dangerous when mixed with alcohol or other drugs. A person in withdrawal suffers anxiety, agitation, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, sweating, a fast heartbeat, tremors, and cramps. These symptoms can escalate to convulsions, delirium, and hallucinations.