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Who's Really Using Prescription Sedatives?

5% of 12th graders across the US have EVER misused tranquilizers (one type of sedative).

This may not seem like much, so let's put it in perspective. In 2016, there were approximately 12.6 million 12th grade. students in the US. 5% of 12.6 million is 630,000 12th graders! That is nearly the population of Denver.. and that's just seniors misuing tranquilizers!

What are Prescription Sedatives?

Sedatives suppress your central nervous system activity and make you tired and calm. These drugs are often prescribed to help people with anxiety, sleep disorders, or seizures. There are two major types of sedatives known as barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Medically, barbiturates (a.k.a. sleeping pills) are prescribed for acute anxiety, tension, and sleep disorders.

Common Forms

Tablets and capsules
Liquid

Tablets & capsules

Liquid

How are Prescription Sedatives Consumed?

Swallowed
Injected

Swallowed

Injected

The High

Depending on the depressant used, the effects can vary. The commonly shared effects:

Dream-like feeling
Reduced anxiety

Feelings of wellbeing
Lowered inhibition

Sedatives + Brain & Body

Short Term Effects

Poor concentration
Confusion
Dizziness
Impaired movements
Loss of memory
Drowsiness
Slurred speech
Low blood pressure
Slowed breathing
Nausea
Clumsiness
Slowed heartbeat

Long Term Effects

High risk of dependence on the drug
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Overdose, especially if paired with alcohol

Did You Know?

In 2015, almost 9,000 deaths in the U.S. were caused by an overdose from benzodiazepines.

Legal Consequences

The classification of sedatives spans Schedule I to Schedule IV, meaning the drug laws that apply to each vary depending on their medical usefulness, abuse potential, safety, and dependence profile. Don’t be fooled by the medical nature of prescription drugs, though, even legal drugs can get you into a lot of trouble. The following instances are illegal, even with legal drugs:

Possessing and Consuming

Possessing or consuming a prescription drug without a lawful prescription

Drugs by Fraud

Obtaining prescription drugs by fraud or doctor “shopping” (going to multiple doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions)

Forging a Prescription

Forging a prescription

Selling a Prescription

Selling prescription drugs, whether the original prescription is yours or not

Punishable Offense

Driving under the influence of prescription drugs can be a punishable offense.

Sharing ISN'T Caring

If you are prescribed sedatives, how can you keep your friends and family safe?

Remember your first day of Kindergarten when your teacher is going on about the rules??

Be nice.
Have fun.
Sharing is caring.

These are largely still true. However, when it comes to prescription drugs, sharing is definitely not caring. Say your friend is feeling really anxious about a test and you are prescribed anti-anxiety medicines for your obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). You might think that giving them some prescription pills is helping them, but it’s not. When a doctor writes a prescription, they consider the person’s size and check for allergies and adverse interactions with other medications, over-the-counter or prescription. When you decide to share prescriptions, you are bypassing these important safety measures, putting both yourself and your friend in danger. What if your friend is allergic or experiences serious negative effects, like death, from mixing medicines you didn’t know they were taking or were even lethal in combination? How could you? You’re not a doctor. Sharing is never caring when it comes to prescription drugs.

Leftover Pills

What can you do with all those leftover pills?

Many people have multiple prescriptions just lying around their house, for just in case... just in case may turn into a very problematic situation. Instead of letting old prescriptions lie around waiting to tempt someone, get rid of them safely!