Barbiturates used to be a common drug prescribed back in the 60s and 70s to treat anxiety, seizures, and other illnesses. Barbiturates derive from barbituric acid and are central nervous system depressants. This guide will help you learn more about their impact on the brain, common drugs, signs of addiction, and treatment options.
Effects of Barbiturates
Barbiturates can be incredibly addictive. While they were initially intended to make people feel calm and relaxed, experts have since realized the dangers of these drugs. Using these substances can create feelings of sluggishness similar to a hungover. Other side effects include nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, vomiting, and stomach pain. Severe symptoms involve hallucinations, weakness, confusion, and even coma.
Today, physicians primarily prescribe benzodiazepines in the place of barbiturates. While these drugs still have addictive potential, they are not quite as dangerous as barbiturates.
What are Common Barbiturates?
Some of the most common ones include:
- Tunial
- Amobarbital
- Pentobarbital
- Phenobarbital
- Secobarbital
What are the Signs of Barbiturate Addiction?
When someone has an addiction to barbiturates, they might display some of these common behaviors:
- They feel drowsy, almost like they’re drunk
- If someone has taken a heavy dosage, they might slur their speech
- Coma and death can occur if someone has overdosed
How Do You Treat Barbiturate Addiction?
The user needs professional help. By enrolling in a treatment program, they receive guidance for sobriety. In residential programs, they’ll stay at a medical facility that offers supervision during detox. Arguably, detox is one of the most challenging parts of becoming sober from these drugs. The reason for this is once a person starts using barbiturates continuously, their brain adjusts to these new chemicals. Quitting the drug abruptly does not give the brain adequate time to adjust to not having the drug, creating withdrawal symptoms like irritability, nervousness, trouble sleeping, sweating, vomiting, headaches, and nausea. Therefore, at-home detox is not recommended. Those seeking help for barbiturate detoxification should contact professionals to manage symptoms during this time.
During detox, the treatment team devises solutions that might include medicine. It helps the person’s brain acclimate to a normal state, while reducing withdrawal symptoms.
Along with detox, a person might have individual and group therapy. It is where they learn more about the root causes of drug use, how to confront triggers that led to it, and more. Professionals can also diagnose mental illnesses that could prompt barbiturate abuse.
Many programs also include 12 Step and holistic practices, such as meditation, yoga, and more. Giving the person a daily structure helps them find healthy coping mechanisms, so when they leave treatment, they have the tools to remain sober.
Treatment Targeting Your Needs
If you need help, Hemet Valley Recovery Center offers personalized treatment options. With it, we learn more about you, your barbiturate use, daily life, and other factors to help address the cause of the drug use. Contact us today to see our treatment tracks.
