Sedative Drug Use and Addiction Overview
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Along with stimulants and opioids, sedatives are a class of substances with both medical and nonmedical uses. Different sedative agents may also be known by other names including:1
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants.
- Anxiolytics.
- Tranquilizers.
- Hypnotics.
Although various drugs that fall under the umbrella of “sedatives” will differ greatly, many share the ability to create a sense of calm and drowsiness. 1 This is why sedatives, depending on the specific medication being used, are often prescribed for anxiety, panic, and sleep disorders.1
Prescription Sedative Drugs
Not all sedatives are the same. 3 common types of prescription sedatives are:2,3,4
- Barbituates—Once widely used for anxiety and sleep, barbiturates continue to be used to manage certain seizure disorders. Largely replaced by benzodiazepines, these drugs have somewhat fallen out of favor because benzos are deemed safer and more effective in a number of clinical scenarios.
- Benzodiazepines—A group of sedatives widely used for the short-term treatment of acute anxiety and panic disorders, as well as for the management of seizures and acute alcohol withdrawal.
- Non-benzodiazepine sleep medications—These prescription sleep aids (e.g., Ambien, Lunesta) are used to alleviate insomnia and are only intended for short-term use.
Sedatives, while very effective when taken for a brief period of time, do have risks, including the potential for abuse, dependence/withdrawal, and addiction.5 They can also be very dangerous when taken in combination with alcohol and opioids, as the combined effects can result in profound over-sedation and respiratory depression, placing individuals at high risk of deadly overdose.6
Additionally, it has been found that when benzodiazepines are taken daily for longer than a month that they may actually worsen anxiety and insomnia.6
List of Common Sedative Drugs
There are many substances that fall into a broad grouping of sedatives. These prescription drugs may be identified by both generic and brand names, in most cases.1
Common barbiturates include:
- Nembutal (phenobarbital).
- Fiorinal (butalbital).
- Seconal (secobarbital).
- Amytal (amobarbital).
Benzodiazepine varieties include:
Sleep medications (sometimes called “z-drugs”) include:
- Ambien (zolpidem).
- Sonata (zaleplon).
- Lunesta (eszopiclone).
How Do Sedatives Work?
Most sedatives work by increasing the activity of a specific brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity which can induce sleepiness and feelings of relaxation. Such effects make these drugs very effective for people suffering from anxiety and insomnia.1
When taken at higher doses, sedatives may create an intoxication very similar to the one caused by alcohol. At times, the two forms of intoxication can be challenging to differentiate from each other.4
Along with the desired effects, sedatives can come with many uncomfortable, sometimes dangerous, side effects.
Possible short-term side effects of sedatives include:7
- Drowsiness and sedation.
- Impaired ability to focus.
- Impaired judgment and memory.
- Dizziness.
- Poor coordination.
- Slurred speech.
- Lowered blood pressure.
- Slowed breathing.
When a sedative is misused, these effects can be very intense. Excessive use of sedatives can lead to significant toxicity and overdose. Overdose becomes an even more serious risk when the sedative is combined with alcohol, opioids, or other substances that exert similar effects.8
Can You Overdose on Sedatives?
Sedatives taken as prescribed are unlikely to result in overdose; however, misuse (for example taking more than prescribed or taking it to get high) may lead to overdose. Barbiturate overdose is possible from high doses, but overdose from benzodiazepines is rare, unless the drugs are combined with other substances—such as opioids and/or alcohol—that slow certain physiological processes like breathing.2
In 2017, nearly 17,000 people died from overdose involving CNS depressants.5 More than 2/3 of these overdoses involved benzodiazepines, and many of those were caused by the combination of benzodiazepines and opioids.5 In fact, people prescribed both benzodiazepines and opioids have a 15x higher risk of drug-related death than individuals not prescribed either drug type.8
Signs and symptoms of sedative overdose include:2
- Extremely slow or stopped breathing.
- Clammy skin
- Dilated pupils
- Weak but rapid pulse.
- Coma.
- Death.
If you suspect your loved one has overdosed on sedatives, contact 911 immediately. Early treatment can save their life.1
Do All Sedatives Cause Withdrawal?
Many sedatives are intended for use in the short-term only. For example, the makers of the benzodiazepine Ativan recommend the drug be prescribed for only 2 to 4 weeks at a time and never encourage continuous long-term use because of the risks of dependence and addiction. Despite this, many people use sedatives for much longer periods. 7,9
Physical dependence is not always a sign of misuse; it can develop to some degree even when the person uses sedatives as directed. Once these drugs are regularly in the system, the body begins to adjust and adapt to their presence.6 Once a significant amount of dependence is established, which can happen quickly with sedatives, withdrawal becomes increasingly likely when the person goes off the sedative.
Sedative Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of sedative withdrawal include:10
- Insomnia.
- Increased anxiety.
- Hallucinations.
- Increased sweating.
- Quicker heart rate.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Restlessness and unintended movements.
- Shaky hands.
- Seizures.
The timing of these symptoms differs greatly depending on the specific substance or substances used. A person using a short-acting medication can begin feeling symptoms just hours after the last dose, but another person could not experience symptoms for a week.10
The symptoms can peak anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after they emerge. Worse, some of the effects of sedative withdrawal can last for months after the last use.10
All substance withdrawal has the potential to be uncomfortable, but sedative withdrawal can prove deadly. As many as 30% of people withdrawing from sedatives will have a seizure without proper treatment, and many will display a significant break from reality with hallucinations and delusions. 10
Anyone thinking about quitting sedatives should always seek professional treatment to ensure safety. Professional detoxification treatment at Desert Hope involves 24/7 patient monitoring so that, should any complications arise, you’ll be treated immediately.
How to Identify Sedative Abuse and Addiction
Dependence and tolerance are physiological reactions to the drugs, but addiction involves more than just a physical reliance on the drug. Signs you may be suffering from an addiction to sedatives include: 10
- Taking sedatives more often or in larger amounts than intended.
- Trying but failing to quit or cut back on sedatives.
- Spending a lot of your time getting, using, and recovering from sedatives.
- Feeling a strong desire to use sedatives when none are available.
- Avoiding obligations at home, work, or school in favor due to sedative use.
- Experiencing new or worsening relationship conflicts having to do with your drug use.
- Continuing to use sedatives despite the known negative consequences of doing so.
Need Treatment but Worried About Anxiety?
Someone ending their sedative use could face challenges to their recovery in the form of new, returning, or worsening anxiety. This risk should not discourage you from seeking treatment, though. Professional treatment like the co-occurring disorder programs at Desert Hope can simultaneously address both addiction and mental health concerns.
Quality addiction treatment often incorporates natural ways to cope with stress and anxiety, such as: 11
- Yoga and meditation.
- Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, and biofeedback therapy.
- Exercise.
- Thought techniques to reduce worry.
Treatment programs that work with patients with co-occurring disorders may also prescribe non-addictive medications as alternative treatments for sedatives.
If you’re addicted to sedatives, you don’t need to continue suffering. At Desert Hope inpatient rehab in Las Vegas, we specialize in the care of addiction and mental health disorders.
Call an admissions navigator at to discuss the many levels of addiction treatment we offer to those ready to begin their recovery. Admissions navigators can also answer questions about using insurance to pay for addiction treatment, other ways to pay for rehab, and what to expect in inpatient or outpatient treatment. You can also confidentially verify your insurance coverage by using the .
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