SOC 204 Drugs & SocietyGoldberg Chapter 9Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs

Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs (depressants)• Drugs that slow activity in the central nervous

system• Include prescription drugs• To treat anxiety: sedatives• To treat insomnia: hypnotics

• Alcohol is the most widely used depressant• Benzodiazepines are the most widely prescribed

depressants

Those who enter treatment for abuse of prescription drugs are better educated than people abusing other kinds of drugs.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

48%52%

Before Barbiturates

• Chloral hydrate 1832• Paraldehyde 1882• Bromides 1960s

Doctors are more likely to prescribe barbiturates for sleep now than they were 20 years ago.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

52%48%

Barbiturates• Veronal was introduced in 1903• Barbiturates classifications• Short-acting• Pentobarbital, secobarbital

• Intermediate-acting• Amobarbital, butabarbital

• Long-acting• Mephbarbital, phenobarbital

The nonmedical use of controlled medications by adolescents is increasing.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

7%

93%

Barbiturates, continued• Sodium Pentathol 1934• Meprobamate 1950s• Methaqualone 1965

• Great risk for physical and psychological dependence

Adolescent boys are more likely to give medications to their friends than adolescent girls.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

69%

31%

Benzodiazepines• 1960 introduced chordiazepoxide (Librium)• 1970s introduced diazepam (Valium)• Dependence and overdose can occur• Rarer than with barbiturates• More common in combination with alcohol

• Rohypnol

People who enter treatment for benzodiazepine abuse are likely to be older than people who enter treatment for abuse of other illegal drugs.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

21%

79%

Mechanisms of Action

• Benzodiazepines and barbiturates• Enhance inhibitory effects of GABA

• Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics• Selectively target the GABA-A receptor•Work better as sleep aids rather than anti-anxiety medications• Zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta)

When it is used in conjunction with alcohol, the effects of Rohypnol can be fatal.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

15%

85%

Benefits Risks

• Anxiolytics• Sleeping agents• Anticonvulsants

• Dependence• Tolerance & Cross

Tolerance• Withdrawal

• Toxicity• Behavioral• Physiological

• Patterns of abuse

The highest rate of inhalant use by youths occurs among Asians.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

82%

18%

Inhalants

• High-dose exposure causes intoxication

• Examples:• Volatile solvents• Aerosols, propellants, gases• Anesthetics• Nitrites

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g99h4qaCio

More people die from inhaling air fresheners than from inhaling gasoline.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

67%

33%

Nitrous oxide has been used as an anesthetic by dentists.

A. TrueB. False

True

False

4%

96%

Inhalants• Most abusers are very young• Abuse tends to occur as localized fads• Dangers:• Kidney damage• Brain damage• Peripheral nerve damage• Irritation of respiratory tract• Severe headache• Death by suffocation

Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid• Naturally occurring chemical found in brain and

body• Similar to GABA• Causes CNS depression• Has been used as an anesthetic• Considered a date-rape drug• Along with Rohypnol and Ketamine

• GHB is listed on Schedule I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPtcU_8yvR4