SEDATIVES

THE TRUTH ABOUT SEDATIVES

SLANG: BENZOS/PHENNIES/ 

RED BIRDS/REDS/YELLOW 

JACKETS/ YELLOWS/DOWNERS/

SLEEPING PILLS/TRANKS1

GET THE FACTS

SEDATIVES CAN BE ADDICTIVE. Although sedatives are often 

used to treat insomnia, they can be harmful when taken in ways 

other than as prescribed by a doctor, such as to self-medicate for 

depression or anxiety. Long-term use may result in needing larger 

doses to achieve the desired sedation and calming effects, which 

can lead to addiction.2 In some cases it is possible to misjudge how 

much more is needed, leading to overdose.

SEDATIVES CAN HARM YOUR BODY. It’s possible to overdose on 

sedatives. When someone overdoses on sedatives, their breathing 

often slows or stops, which decreases the amount of oxygen that 

reaches the brain. This can cause short- and long-term effects on 

the nervous system, including coma, permanent brain damage, 

and even death.3

SEDATIVES CAN BE DEADLY. When mixed with alcohol, sedatives 

slow heart rate and breathing even more, which can lead to 

death.4 Alcohol and sedatives work synergistically, meaning their 

efforts are much more potent than when they are used separately.

? Q&A

Q. IF I HAVE BEEN TAKING SEDATIVES EVERY DAY 

FOR A FEW WEEKS OR LONGER, IS IT SAFE TO 

STOP TAKING SEDATIVES WHENEVER I WANT?

A. NO.Talk to your doctor. Withdrawal symptoms 

can be life-threatening and include seizures, 

increased heart rate, blood pressure, and 

temperature, as well as visual hallucinations.5

Q. AREN’T SEDATIVES LESS DANGEROUS THAN 

OTHER DRUGS?

A. NO. In fact, sedative overdoses have increased. 

A recent study showed that the most commonly 

prescribed sedatives called benzodiazepines 

were responsible for nearly 30 percent of deaths 

from medications.6

Q. ARE SEDATIVES LESS HARMFUL THAN 

DRINKING?

A.

NO.The effects of sedatives can be harmful and 

are similar to alcohol intoxication. Symptoms 

include impaired attention and judgment, 

inappropriate behavior, decreased reflexes, and 

lack of balance when walking.7

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Even when used as directed, sedatives carry risk. But 

when misused, sedatives are more dangerous and can 

even be deadly. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, 

a teacher, or another adult you trust if you have questions. 

LEARN MORE:

Get the latest information on how drugs affect the brain 

and body at teens.drugabuse.gov.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SEDATIVES, CONTACT:

SAMHSA

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) (English and Español)

TTY 1-800-487-4889

www.samhsa.gov 

store.samhsa.gov
1 KNOW THE LAW. It is illegal to use sedatives

without a valid prescription, or to give or sell them 

to others.8

2

KNOW THE RISKS. Even if you have a prescription

for sedatives, it is unsafe to use them with other 

depressants, especially alcohol. Even taking them 

with some over-the-counter cold and allergy 

medications could heighten their effects and have 

deadly consequences.9

3 LOOK AROUND YOU. Even if you think your peers

are effectively using sedatives to cope with 

depression or anxiety, the truth is that a very small 

number of teens are misusing the substances 

in this way. In 2018, approximately 0.3 percent of 

youth ages 12 to 17 misused prescription sedatives 

in the past year.10

MORE INFORMATION

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR 

RESOURCES USED IN THIS

“TIPS for TEENS,”

visit store.samhsa.gov or call 

1–877–SAMHSA–7 (1–877–726–4727)

(English and Español).

PEP NO. 20-03-03-003 REVISED 2020

KNOW THE SIGNS

How can you tell if a friend is using sedatives? Potential side 

effects and symptoms include:11

• Drowsiness

• Slurred speech

• Poor concentration

• Confusion

• Dizziness

• Problems with movement and memory

• Slowed breathing

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SOMEONE 

WHO IS MISUSING SEDATIVES?

BE A FRIEND. SAVE A LIFE. 

Encourage your friend to stop using or seek help 

from a parent, teacher, or other caring adult. 

For 24/7 free and confidential information and 

treatment referrals in English and Spanish, 

call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at:

1–800–662–HELP (1–800–662–4357)

or visit the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator at 

findtreatment.gov

1 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2019). Central Nervous 

System Depressants. Commonly Abused Drug Charts. Retrieved from 

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugscharts#CNSdepressants

2, 3 NIDA. (2018). Prescription CNS Depressants. Drug Facts. Retrieved from 

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-cnsdepressants

4

 NIDA. (2019). Central Nervous System Depressants. Commonly Abused Drug 

Charts. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonlyabused-drugs-charts

5

 NIDA. (2018). Prescription CNS Depressants. Drug Facts. Retrieved from 

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-cnsdepressants

6, 7 Weaver, M. F. (2015). Prescription sedative misuse and abuse. The Yale 

Journal of Biology and Medicine, 88(3), 247–256.

8

 U.S. Department of Justice. (2013). Prescription Drugs Fast Facts. Retrieved 

from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs5/5140/5140p.pdf

9

 NIDA. (2019). Central Nervous System Depressants. Commonly Abused Drug 

Charts. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonlyabused-drugs-charts

10 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 

(2019). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: 

Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed tables

Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2018-nsduh-detailed-tables

11 NIDA. (2019). Central Nervous System Depressants. Commonly Abused Drug 

Charts. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonlyabused-drugs-charts