Barbiturates Substance Abuse - Barbiturates Addiction

Barbiturates Substance Abuse - Barbiturates Addiction drug rehabilitation and alcohol rehabilitation

Barbiturates Used Primarily as Sedatives and Anticonvulsants

In the 1900s Barbiturates made their debut in the medical field. There were more than 2,500 Barbiturate medications formulated during that time. About 50 of the barbiturate products were marketed for human use.


Today there are around 12 Barbiturate drugs being used for medical purposes. These drugs offer a wide range of central nervous system uses when medically administered from mild sedation to coma. Barbiturates have been used as sedatives, hypnotics, anesthetics, and anti-consultants.


Barbiturates are Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant drugs that create relaxation and sleepiness. Barbiturates like mephobarbital (Mebaral) and sodium pentobarbital (Nembutal) are used to promote sleep. CNS depressants are both tranquilizers and sedatives.


This video explains how Barbiturates effect your body.


Abuse of Barbiturates is still a major problem today among those who abuse drugs. Many drug users have formed barbiturate addictions throughout the United States. The most common cause of depressant overdose is caused because drug users mix different drugs together and abuse them like; alcohol and barbiturates or benzodiazepines. Barbiturates and opiates such as heroin or Oxycontin when abused together are also common causes of depressant overdose.


Sometimes drug users combine all four drugs mentioned above; barbiturates and alcohol, oxycontin, and heroin. These are usually drug users that have no understanding of the serious effects and risks involved when mixing drugs, this combination leads to either coma or death. There have been times when the drug abuser first went into a coma and then death followed. That's as serious and dangerous as it gets.


Barbiturates are usually injected or swallowed. The street Names given to this class of drugs include:

  • Phennies
  • Red birds
  • Yellow jackets
  • Tooies
  • Yellows
  • Reds
  • Barbs

 


Withdrawal from Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants such as Barbiturates requires medical supervision because it can be extremely serious and very difficult for the drug abuser to go through. If an avid or chronic Barbiturate abuser stops using the drugs all at once it could be fatal. It's extremely necessary that the user have professional medical supervision during this time. Symptoms of Barbiturate Acute Overdose can include:

  1. Levels of consciousness may be altered
  2. Speech slurred
  3. Sometimes serious faulty judgment
  4. Sluggishness (moving slowly and somewhat inactive)
  5. Problems with thinking
  6. Drowsiness
  7. Shallow breathing (slow breathing and short breaths)
  8. Coma
  9. Staggering (having trouble walking straight, wobbling)
  10. Speech slowness (when speaking having trouble articulating and getting the words out)


Physical signs include:

  1. Hypothermia (low temperature)
  2. Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  3. Decreased breathing (respiratory depression)
 


Chronic Barbiturate Abuse Risks and Effects

Abusing Barbiturates like Phenobarbital can cause chronic and serious symptoms that include:

  1. Acute overdose syndrome
  2. Irritability
  3. Loss of memory
  4. Alertness changes
  5. Decreased interpersonal functioning (problems functioning socially with family and friends)
 


Treatment for Abuse and Addiction to CNS Depressants such as Barbiturates

Medically supervised detoxification and withdrawal treatment is necessary when treating Barbiturate Addiction. Inpatient or outpatient drug treatment programs are successful in helping the individual make changes in their life that are necessary to their well-being and recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also effective when treating individuals suffering with substance addiction and abuse.


Drug abuse therapy and counseling is extremely important because new coping skills need to be put into place to decrease the chances of relapse. Life is unpredictable and anyone dealing with addiction problems and behaviors knows just how easy it is to jump back in with both feet unless they learn to cope with life in a 'healthy way'. Addiction Drug Treatment Programs, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Addiction and Abuse Counseling will do that for you.



Websites Used
Medline-Plus Barbiturate intoxication and Overdose
Medline-Plus Barbiturate Intoxication and Overdose
United States DEA Barbiturates

Barbiturates Reference Gallery

Barbiturates Discussion

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Page Last Modified: 02/28/2021