Sedative Detox

It isn’t difficult to understand why so many individuals abuse sedatives. Also known as tranquilizers or depressants, sedatives are drugs that slow down the central nervous system, producing a calming effect for users and helping them to sleep. While they are often prescribed to help with anxiety and sleep problems, many end up becoming dependent on them in order to function in their daily lives. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it is estimated that as many as 5.9 million people in the United States misuse sedatives each year.

As with all drugs, abuse of sedatives can lead to harmful long-term effects, and the body builds up tolerance to the drug over time that can result on addicts taking higher doses, which can be fatal. The withdrawal process for those abusing sedatives can also produce severe symptoms, such as seizures. If you’re ready to detoxify your body of sedatives, our Charlotte team at Freedom Detox is here for you. We’ll make sure you recover in the safest environment possible.

Classes of Sedatives

There are three main classes of sedative medications:

• Barbiturates, which are typically used for anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy
• Benzodiazepines, which treat anxiety and seizures and are sometimes used before medical procedures
• Prescriptions hypnotics or sleep aids, which treat insomnia

Addiction can occur with all types of sedatives, and their effects can resemble those of alcohol. While calming and inducing sleep, sedatives can produce other symptoms such as:

Sedatives primarily affect the nervous system, and prolonged abuse can lead to eventual amnesia, slowing of sense and reaction time, and delirium. It’s important if you or someone you love is addicted to sedatives that you seek treatment before you damage your brain any further.