Barbiturates
Barbiturates are an older class of central nervous system depressants. If you have been prescribed barbiturates you may struggle with anxiety or great stress in your life. Barbiturates were more commonly prescribed in previous decades but are prescribed less often today because other drugs are safer and barbiturates are dangerous hypnotics, anesthetics and anticonvulsants. Your dependency requires medical barbiturate detox and addiction treatment. Call Recovery Connection at 866.812.8231 to enter treatment today!
Don't let barbiturates destroy your life. Call our helpline now at 866.812.8231 and speak with a Recovery Connection coordinator. All calls are confidential and free of charge. We can help you find a treatment program right for your needs. But, you must pick up the phone and call.
What Are Barbiturates?
Barbiturates were first created in Germany in the mid-1800s. In 1903, barbiturates were introduced into clinical practice in the United States. The drug was then known as barbital. Phenobarbital was introduced in 1912 and was used to treat neuroses and psychoses as they were understood a century ago. The drugs also gained popularity as a sleep cure. Barbiturates are a central nervous system depressant.
Common Barbiturates:
- Secobarbital (Seconal)
- Amobarbital (Amytal)
- Butalbital (Fiorinal, Fioricet)
- Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
- Amobarbital (Amytal)
- Phenobarbital (Lunial)
- Methohexital (Brevital)
Barbiturates act as sedative-hypnotic agents, similar to benzodiazepines. They are also commonly used in the veterinary field for anesthesia and euthanasia purposes. Barbiturates are downers and suppress central nervous system activity. They have been used as hypnotics, anesthetics and anticonvulsants.
Barbiturates are classified as ultra-short, short, intermediate and long-acting. You may have been prescribed barbiturates by your doctor however, they have largely been replaced by a safer class of sedative-hypnotics called benzodiazepines. If you are still taking barbiturates you should detox off them for your health. Call Recovery Connection at 866.812.8231 and our staff can assist you with finding the best detox centers to help eliminate barbiturates comfortably from your body.
Barbiturate Addiction Symptoms & Signs:
It is dangerous for you to use barbiturates because there is little difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose, which can lead to overdose. Even relatively small doses of the drug can cause unconsciousness or death because they are powerful central nervous system depressants. Long-term, high-dosage use can create permanent movement disorders. The combination of alcohol and barbiturates or benzodiazepines and barbiturates is extremely dangerous because each of these substances is a central nervous system depressant.
Symptoms of barbiturate addiction include:
- Sedation
- Reduction in anxiety
- Sleepiness
- Memory lapses
- Slurred speech
- Lack of motor coordination
- Inability to make good decisions
- Shallow breathing
- Lack of facial expression
- Fatigue
Taking barbiturates regularly can affect your mental state. Sometimes, behaviors that are directly attributed to barbiturate addiction can be misdiagnosed. Other psychotropic medications might be prescribed, creating a serious health risk. Barbiturates are known to worsen or exacerbate any existing behavioral problems as well.
Signs of barbiturate abuse include:
- Mood swings
- Anger
- Depression
- Poor judgment
- Lapses in memory
- Temper tantrums
- Disruptive vocalizations
- Noncompliance
- Property destruction
- Self-injury
- Lying, stealing, cheating
- Doctor shopping
Barbiturate Withdrawal Symptoms and Barbiturate Detox
You should never try to stop taking barbiturates without a professionally supervised medical detox. Because most barbiturate addictions are related to short or intermediate acting drugs, the cessation of the drug will rapidly lead to multiple barbiturate withdrawal symptoms.
Barbiturate withdrawal symptoms:
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Sweating
- Delirium
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Severe anxiety
- Hypotension
- Mood disorders
- Accidental overdose
- Intentional suicide
- Death
Most barbiturate withdrawal symptoms begin within the first few hours after the last use. Seizures can develop starting on the second or third day. By day 7, no new symptoms should appear. Psychosis can take 3 to 8 days to manifest, but with medical supervision it can be controlled. The medications prescribed for barbiturate withdrawal may be other barbiturates or benzodiazepines. In either case, a taper of the medication will be implemented, with a goal of being off the medication within 5 to 7 days.
During detox, other medical and psychiatric medications will be prescribed to control symptoms such as high heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, depression, insomnia, muscle cramping, tremors, etc. This process must occur on an inpatient unit under strict medical care for optimum safety.
Barbiturate Addiction Treatment – Get Help Now!
Once addicted to barbiturates, it is unlikely you can remain abstinent for an extended length of time without treatment. Barbiturate addiction treatment includes a variety of psychiatric and behavioral therapies needed to provide you with the tools to overcome cravings, triggers and daily stressors. Some treatment centers may prescribe benzodiazepines or shorter acting barbiturates to deal with addiction.
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Looking For Treatment?
Are you enslaved by barbiturate? If you want to regain control of your life, Recovery Connection can help. Call 866.812.8231 and let one of knowledgeable coordinators help you find the best detox and treatment program for you. All calls are confidential and our services are always free. Recovery Connection helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days of week.
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