are opioids a depressant or stimulant
Long-term withdrawal from heroin is often marked with severe low energy, fatigue and depression. In brief: Depressant. While all opioids (drugs like opiates - heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, Methadone etc) are depressants, in people who are dependent on them, they are also often energizing. People in withdrawal are often very tired and lethargic, and getting more opioid may make them more stimulated and awake. Opioids are indicated for the relief of mild to severe pain, but are usually reserved for moderate to severe pain. The weak opioid codeine, in low doses and combined with one or more other drugs, is commonly available without a prescription. Not to be confused with depressogenic. A depressant, or central depressant, is a drug that lowers neurotransmission levels, which is to depress or reduce arousal or stimulation, in various areas of the brain. Depressants are also occasionally referred to as downers as they lower the level of arousal when taken. Opioid drugs include partial agonists and antagonists, which produce moderate or no effect (respectively) but displace other opioids from binding in those receptors. The side effects of opioids may include itchiness, sedation, nausea, respiratory depression, constipation, and euphoria. Tolerance and dependence will develop with continuous use, requiring increasing doses and leading to a withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation. Making the world better, one answer at a time. An opioid or opiate, is a derivative of the opium poppy such as morphine, a depressant. There are also synthetic opioids such as oxycodone and semi synthetic opioids like heroin, all of which are depressants.  Stimulants or uppers increase mental and/or physical function, hence the opposite drug class of depressants is stimulants, not antidepressants. Depressants are widely used throughout the world as prescription medicines and as illicit substances. Alcohol is a very prominent depressant. Stimulants have the opposite effect to depressants so these are referred to as uppers. The four main types of depressants are ethyl alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Ethyl alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs and is also the one that causes the most harm. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are also sometimes referred to as tranquilizers or sedatives. Page | 1. Course Introduction. • Introduction. • Opioids.  Description and Statistics.  Costs of Opiate Addiction.  A Word on Opioids. Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce morphine-like effects. Opioids are most often used medically to relieve pain. Opioids include opiates, an older term that refers to such drugs derived from opium, including morphine itself. Other opioids are semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl; antagonist drugs such as naloxone and endogenous peptides such as the endorphins. Types of Depressants. The four main types of depressants are ethyl alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Ethyl alcohol is one of the most widely used drugs and is also the one that causes the most harm. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates are also sometimes referred to as tranquilizers or sedatives. Opiates are a type of strong pain killer that are derived from the poppy plant. Benzodiazepines include drugs such as:
Depressant