AKA
Benzodiazepines (Benzos) including Valium, Ativan (lorazepam), Clonazepam/Revitol (Rivvies), Xanax, Librium, and barbiturates.
WHAT IS IT?
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants are drugs that slow down brain activity by reducing arousal of the brain's cerebral cortex. They have a calming effect, they are most frequently used to treat anxiety and tension.
lONG TERM EFFECTS
Depressants are highly addictive drugs, and when chronic users or abusers stop taking them, they can experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia and muscle tremors. In fact, going “cold turkey” off of some depressants can have life-threatening consequences, like seizures, convulsions and, in rare instances, death