Commonly used for sedation, here is more on battling barbiturates.
Battling Barbiturates
Barbiturates were first manufactured in Germany in the mid-1800s. During 1903, barbiturates were introduced into clinical practices within the United States. These drugs were then known as “barbital”. Phenobarbital was introduced in 1912, and was used as a treatment method for neuroses and psychoses. The drugs also gained popularity as a cure for sleep difficulties. Barbiturates are a central nervous system depressant.
Common Barbiturates:
- Amobarbital (Amytal)
- Butalbital (Fiorinal, Fioricet)
- Phenobarbital (Lunial)
- Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
- Methohexital (Brevital)
- Secobarbital (Seconal)
Barbiturates act similarly to benzodiazepines, as sedative hypnotic agents. They are also normally used in the veterinary field for euthanesia and anesthesia purposes. Barbiturates are downers, therefore they suppress activity within the central nervous system. They have been used as anesthetics, anticonvulsants, and hypnotics.
Barbiturates are classified as ultra short, short, intermediate, and long acting. You may have been prescribed barbiturates by your primary care physician, however, they have been largely replaced by a safer class of sedative-hypnotics called benzodiazepines. If you are currently addicted to barbiturates, it is best that you seek detox for the benefit and preservation of your health.
Symptoms & Signs of Addiction to Barbiturates:
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 barbiturates and alcohol, or benzodiazepines and barbiturates, is extremely hazardous because each of these substances is a central nervous system depressant.
Symptoms of addiction to barbiturates:
- Reduced anxiety
- Sedation
- Impaired judgement
- Lapses in memory
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
- Lack of expressed emotion
- Shallow breathing
You should never attempt to stop taking barbiturates without undergoing a professionally supervised medical detox. Due to most barbiturate addictions being correlated to short or intermediate acting drugs, eliminating usage of the drug will quickly lead to multiple barbiturate withdrawal symptoms.
We can offer help at battling barbiturates. At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addition and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery, and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
