What Drugs Make You Nod Off?

What Drugs Cause Nodding Off and How to Get Someone Help

What is “nodding off to drugs”? It means falling into a semi-conscious (and sometimes, unconscious) state under the influence of drugs – i.e., falling asleep. If you or someone you know is battling drug abuse or opioid substance abuse, then you might be aware of how dangerous it can be.

But what drugs make you nod off?

A scientific study tells us that opioids, among other drugs, lead to users nodding off dangerously. The study also tells us that some drugs depress your “central nervous system” which leads to loss of awareness. It can also lead to life-threatening situations, like dangerous substance abuse disorders or drug overdose deaths.

The most common drugs that lead to nodding off include opioids, heroin, and even some prescription medications (which we’ll cover in the post below). However, it is important to seek professional care for medical conditions like drug addiction, be it opioid abuse or depressant drugs.

Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada offers struggling individuals a way out of heroin, fentanyl, and opioid addiction and other substance abuse disorders. We offer highly knowledgeable and trained professionals to provide medical intervention. Our goal? To help you overcome drugs and live a healthier, fuller life.

What Drugs Make You Nod Off?

The drugs that cause extreme drowsiness and disrupt sleep patterns include muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, and opioids. Apart from those, certain hallucinogens also cause individuals to experience extreme drowsiness and might potentially lead to impaired motor skills in case of high doses.

The drugs that make you nod off typically work by depressing your central nervous system (CNS). It slows down boldly functions like your heart rate and breathing. Hence, it’s no surprise that opioid overdose can lead to reduced mobility and induce drowsiness.

Moreover, certain medications mixed with these drugs can make you lose consciousness completely. Meanwhile, others leave you in a state of semi-consciousness which is also associated with potential dangers for your overall health.

Opioid and Heroin Addiction – The Major Cause of Nodding Off

Research tells us that opioids abuse, particularly heroin, is characterized by symptoms like falling asleep and sleep disorders.

The studies also indicate that it might lead to disturbed sleep patterns and frequent fatigue, which is also similar to the signs of conditions like sleep apnea.

Like heroin and prescription painkillers, there are also other opioids that can have sedating effects. These substances generally affect your CNS and slow down its activity, which is often why struggling users experience diminished awareness.

Whether opioid use or other drugs, high doses can lead to a range of health issues. Some of them include:

• Reduced cognitive function
• Respiratory depression
• Physical dependence and addiction
• Cardiovascular health issues
• Co-occurring mental health issues
• Higher tolerance in opioid receptors (leads to risk of overdose)

Are you or someone you care about, struggling with opioid or meth addiction? Without proper support and care, even depressant drugs can be a cause of concern and hence, make it easy to fall into a cycle of opioid abuse.

While those and prescription opioids – like hydrocodone and oxycodone – are often abused for recreational use, the side effects are far more dangerous. If you notice someone nodding off due to an opioid overdose, seek immediate attention. Even though it may seem like they are sleeping, they could be battling for their life.

What Are the Dangers of Nodding Off from Opioid Drug Abuse?

Why is it important to know the dangers of nodding off due to opioid use? Because falling asleep for even a few seconds can lead to severe accidents. And in most severe cases, like while driving, it can be fatal.

If someone “nods off” due to opioid drug-induced sleep, their breathing might be slowing down. In worse cases, it might even stop infrequently. This is very dangerous and might even lead to death without proper medical support. How?

• Slowed or stopped breathing – It can lead to an overdose
• Loss of consciousness – It can make a person pass out which almost always requires immediate help.
• Respiratory depression – This is more serious because the body can’t breathe properly

In case you notice such physical signs or know that someone is overdosing on opioids, you can administer naloxone. It is a medicine which is often part of medication-assisted treatment programs (MAT) at rehabs for drug abuse.

Naloxone can quickly reverse the effects of opioid overdose and help block the receptors in the brain. Moreover, it also helps with restoring breathing back to normal. Look for these signs before helping:

• Blue lips
• Shallow breathing
• Trouble staying awake

If you see someone with these signs, get help right. It is advisable to help the person in extreme cases to prevent fatalities, which is safe to do under the “Good Samaritan Law” of Las Vegas.

Benzodiazepines – Is It Also a Common Cause of Nodding Off?

Yes, benzodiazepines are also one of the common causes for nodding off. They are medications for treating a range of health issues like:

• Anxiety
• Sleep
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• Muscle spasms

The most common types of benzodiazepines that you will come across include Ativan, Xanax, and Valium – which also act as CNS depressants. All three are prescribed for the abovementioned health issues and more. However, misuse of these drugs can lead to nodding off and other dangerous side effects.

Some people mix them with alcohol – or even other drugs – for a more intense sedation effect. That is what leads to falling asleep or a semi-conscious state. It can cause extreme drowsiness

Can Muscle Relaxants and Other Sedatives Lead to Risk of Falling Asleep?

Then, there are muscle relaxants like baclofen and carisoprodol that cause drowsiness. So, they too can make someone nod off if consumed without moderation – or when abused. It is a common prescription medicine for conditions like muscle spasms or when someone needs med for pain relief.

What Are the Potential Risks of Nodding Off from Substance Abuse?

To most people, nodding off due to drug use seems harmless. However, it is extremely dangerous. Not just for that person but for others around them as well. We have already discussed how it can lead to overdose and respiratory depression when nodding off.

However, struggling individuals are also at risk of choking or aspiration. Moreover, it can lead to physical harm to themselves or others as they are in a semi-conscious state. In that state, with impaired motor skills, people are less likely to respond to external stimuli. And the result? Tragic accidents or fatalities.

How to Get Someone Help Who is Nodding Off?

We mentioned earlier how you can administer naloxone to someone who is nodding off and is at risk of overdose from opioids. But there are other ways to help someone nodding off too – and the first one is to call emergency services. Here’s more!

Call for Emergency Services

You should immediately dial 911 and relay the emergency to get medical attention. Trained and experienced professionals can provide the right help under high-pressure situations.

Check for Signs of Overdose

Is the person taking shallow breaths? Do they have blue lips or fingertips? Additionally, see if they have slurred speech or pinpoint pupils, which are also signs of overdose.

Stay with the Person

You should stay with the person until the emergency services arrive. This will help you monitor their breathing and share the information with the medical service providers to get them help.

Can You Get Treatment for Drug Addiction and Nodding Off?

Struggling with drug addiction is no laughing matter. Be it you or someone close to you who you care about, finding the right professional help is very important. In fact, many professionals consider “acknowledgment of a problem” as the first step toward a lasting recovery journey. Below, we listed a few common treatment options for drug use disorders and substance abuse.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

This approach (as mentioned earlier) uses medication to help struggling individuals. The main objective is to help them cope with the withdrawal symptoms. And, the most common types of medicine – which are also approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the US (FDA) – include:

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Naltrexone
• Naloxone

Residential Care

There are also treatment programs – primarily inpatient/residential and outpatient treatment programs. Each type of plan comes with various counseling and therapy services to help individuals cope. However, facilities like Icarus here in Las Vegas offers 24-hour care under the supervision of licensed and experienced professionals.

Outpatient Programs

Then, we have outpatient or partial hospitalization plans. These types of programs provide flexible treatment options for those who cannot either afford or make time for inpatient/residential care.

Get the Help Needed for Recovery at Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada

So, the drugs that make you nod off are often CNS depressants (or central nervous system depressants). They can be extremely dangerous and might lead to overdose which is a life-threatening condition. Some of the depressants and drugs are powerful enough to cause respiratory depression and permanent damage in the form of impaired motor skills.

One of the leading causes of nodding off for those who struggle with drug use disorders includes benzodiazepine misuse and opioid addiction. Therefore, it’s important to seek medical intervention where you find a loved one the help needed for opioids or meth.

At Icarus Behavioral in Las Vegas, we offer treatment options that cover opioid addiction and substance use disorder. So, your loved one can be on the way to lasting recovery success and be a symbol of hope for others with the same issue.

Don’t wait, call us today and get started with a confidential consultation.