Depressants (Sedatives, tranquilizers and sleep medications)

Depressants or tranquilizers, slow down (or “depress”) the normal activity of brain and spinal cord. Doctors often prescribe them for people who are anxious or can't sleep. Taken as prescribed by a doctor, they can be relatively safe and helpful. However, dependence and addiction are still potential risks when taking prescription depressants.  These risks increase when these drugs are abused. Taking someone else's prescription drugs or taking the drugs to get “high” can cause serious, and even dangerous, problems. People abuse depressants with an intension of getting a great release of tension but addiction can occur and when a user stopstaking them, therecan be a reboundeffect, possiblyleading to seizures and other harmfulconsequences.