If you or someone you know is having problems with drugs, help is available at:
Alcohol and Drug 24-Hour Helpline
800-562-1240
Crisis Clinic Resource Hotline
360-586-2800
True North-Student Assistance Services
360-339-8108
Providence St. Peter Chemical Dependency Center
800-332-0465
If you want to learn more about drug abuse or find information on particular drugs, the following links can be useful:
Drug dependence/abuse information by WebMD:
www.webmd.com/mental-health/drug-dependence-abuse
Drug information and parenting advice:
www.theantidrug.com
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s family and parenting guide:
www.family.samhsa.gov
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has information for parents in English and in Spanish, along with a drug guide:
www.drugfree.org
Depressants can be prescribed by doctors to relieve sleeplessness, depression or anxiety. They slow down the central nervous system and are abused to produce a calm state. They are available as pills, powders or liquids and can be swallowed, injected, smoked or snorted. Depressants are commonly used to reduce anxiety, induce sleep and lower inhibitions.
Commonly used depressants include Valium, seconal, quaaludes and alcohol. Marijuana and some inhalants are also depressants. Barbiturates are depressants commonly prescribed for insomnia or anxiety. Valium and Xanax are prescribed as tranquilizers. Flunitrazepam, commercially known as Rohypnol, is a sedative not sold in the United States that is sometimes brought in from other countries.
Using depressants can result in a slowed pulse and breathing, slurred speech, drowsiness, lowered blood pressure, poor concentration, fatigue, confusion, and impaired coordination, memory and judgment. Prolonged or heavy abuse can result in addiction, impaired sexual function, chronic sleep problems, respiratory depression and respiratory arrest, and death.
Online resources:
Information on depressants from Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Information on prescription sedatives and tranquilizers from Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Alcohol
Barbiturates
Buprenorphine
Cocaine
Codeine
Crack
DXM (cough syrup)
Ecstasy
GHB
Hashish
Heroin
Ketamine
LSD (acid)
Marijuana
Methadone
Methamphetamine (meth)
Mushrooms
Naltrexone
Opium
OxyContin (oxycodone)
PCP (phencyclidine)
Percocet (oxycodone)
Peyote/mescaline
Pseudoephedrine
Quaaludes
Rohypnol (roofies)
Steroids
Stimulants
Tobacco
Tranquilizers
Valium
Vicodin (hydrocodone)