Depressants, such as tranquilizers and barbiturates, calm nerves and relax muscles. Many are legally available by prescription (such as Valium and Xanax) and look like bright-colored capsules or tablets.

Street Names:

downers, goof balls, barbs, ludes

How They're Used:

Depressants are swallowed.

Effects & Dangers:

When used as prescribed by a doctor and taken at the correct dosage, depressants can help people feel calm and reduce angry feelings.

Larger doses can cause confusion, slurred speech, lack of coordination, and tremors.

Very large doses can cause a person to stop breathing and result in death.

Depressants and alcohol should never be mixed - this combination greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.

Addictiveness:

Depressants can cause both psychological and physical dependence.

Reviewed by: Wes Bowman, PhD
Date reviewed: June 2002
Originally reviewed by: Jonathan Schneider, DO