Barbiturate Addiction & Abuse
Barbiturates are prescription medications known as sedative-hypnotics, which cause you to feel relaxed or sleepy. They’re used to treat many conditions, including seizures, migraines, and insomnia.
What Are Barbiturates?
First developed in 1864, Barbiturates gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, extensively prescribed because of their effectiveness in producing relaxation and sleepiness in patients. Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs that used to be commonly used as sedatives or anti-anxiety medications. A physician must prescribe barbiturates; otherwise, they are being used illicitly.
Among their limited usefulness, barbiturates are used to control some seizure disorders and as pre-procedural sedation. However, barbiturates depress the central nervous system activity, slowing brain activity, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
Some of the more common barbiturates include Phenobarbital and Methohexital. Phenobarbital has a relatively narrow therapeutic range, so the dose must be correct to be safe. Those who use it to control seizures are tested regularly to monitor the drug concentration in their bodies, ensuring it is within the correct range.
Suspect a barbiturate abuse disorder? Barbiturate addiction hotline 1-888-400-1556
Side Effects Of Barbiturates
Some common signs of barbiturate intoxication include
- Increased chattiness
- Extreme happiness
- Reduced shyness
- Weakened judgment
- Emotional ups and downs
- Drowsiness, Tired, Very Relaxed
- Slurring of speech
- Clumsiness
- Bafflement
What Is A Barbiturate Addiction?
The use of barbiturates can lead to a barbiturate addiction, a dangerous and life-threatening condition, if not treated appropriately. Individuals who abuse barbiturates will exhibit signs similar to a person who is intoxicated by using alcohol.
For those abusing barbiturates such as phenobarbital, their likelihood of monitoring drug levels is nominal. These individuals are at high risk of quickly boosting their drug concentration to toxic levels if they consistently abuse barbiturates.
Even briefly and in the short term, barbiturates, if taken in excess, can quickly reach dangerous levels and exert potentially deadly effects. Also, the risk is even higher as barbiturates are frequently combined with other substances such as alcohol, narcotic painkillers, and even stimulants.
Barbiturate Abuse Symptoms
Abusing barbiturates is exceptionally hazardous, as it can lead to several harmful consequences like increased tolerance, physiological dependence (and withdrawal), addiction, overdose, and many other physical and psychiatric effects.
Several behaviors signs can indicate a Barbiturate addiction, including but not limited to:
- Secretive behaviors
- Frequently searching for new physicians to prescribe barbiturates
- Combining barbiturates with alcohol or other substances
- Neglecting previously enjoyed activities or hobbies
- Failing to take care of hygiene
- Exhibiting noticeable mood swings or changes
More About Barbiturate Abuse
A barbiturate addiction is characterized by continuous barbiturate abuse despite negative consequences in your life. If you are experiencing an addiction to barbiturates, you are likely struggling with abstaining from barbiturate use and have at least two of the following barbiturate addiction symptoms:
- Taking larger or more frequent doses of barbiturates than initially planned
- Inability to decrease or stop barbiturate abuse despite trying to do so
- Spending a significant amount of time obtaining, getting, and recovering from using barbiturates
- Experiencing uncontrollable urges to consume barbiturates
- Continuing to use barbiturates regardless of negative consequences
- Preferring to use barbiturates over other activities
- Using barbiturates while driving and in other activities
- Developing a tolerance to barbiturates
- Experiencing barbiturate withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop or decrease usage
Barbiturate Abuse Side Effects
These effects of barbiturate abuse include, but certainly are not limited to the following.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
- Increased sensitivity to sound
- Increased pain sensitivity
- Blood pressure changes
- Difficulty breathing
- Heightened risk of developing pneumonia or bronchitis
- Overdosing
- Dying
MENTAL HEALTH
- Anxiety
- Decreased mental function
- Emotional imbalance
- Loss of memory
- Sleeplessness
- Hallucinating
- Sadness
OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONING
- Job problems or loss
- No interest in hobbies or responsibilities
- Uncomfortable relationships
- Overlooking self-care, such as exercise and diet
Addictions can end. There’s hope.
What Are The Factors Leading To Barbiturate Abuse?
Some individuals abuse barbiturates because they want the mind-altering effects of these drugs, similar to alcohol.
These desired effects include making the barbiturate user feel happy, more relaxed, conversational, and less reserved.
Barbiturates are often used as “downers” to offset the exhilaration from stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines. These medications are often used as “downers” to offset the thrill from stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines. As a result, users of these drugs report experiencing a “high” like intoxication.
It’s important to stress that there is a minimal difference between a dose that causes drowsiness and one that causes death – that’s why anyone taking these medications is at risk. This minor difference is known as a Therapeutic Index (the ratio of a medication’s toxic vs. therapeutic dose). The narrow therapeutic index for barbiturates is the likely reason why they are not often prescribed today. However, if the narrow therapeutic index wasn’t enough, barbiturates are extremely addictive. People who use them, even for short durations, become physically dependent.
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Barbiturate Addiction Facts
Barbiturate abuse is hazardous and can lead to severe short- and long-term physical and psychological symptoms, physical dependence, and accidental death.
Doctors have stated how difficult it is to determine the safe, effective dose of a barbiturate and warn that even a slight miscalculation can result in coma or death.
Recreational use of Barbiturates has decreased due to the significant decrease in doctors prescribing them.
Although not as common as other prescription drugs, people do become addicted to barbiturates. Alarmingly, a large portion of barbiturate abusers is high school students, likely due to this age group being too young to recall the deaths associated with using these drugs during the 1970s.
How To Get Barbiturate Addiction Help
Qualified barbiturate addiction rehab centers can successfully manage symptoms of barbiturate abuse and barbiturate withdrawal. If you, or someone you know, has a problem with barbiturate addiction, reach out for barbiturate addiction intervention at Flyland Recovery Network.
How Can Flyland Recovery Center Help With Barbiturate Addiction And Abuse?
With a vast amount of experience, we know that barbiturate addiction treatment is most successful with a well-thought-out plan, targeted purpose, nearly immediate responsiveness, sharing expertise, and holding onto our foundational set of sound philosophical principles.
Flyland Recovery Network uses evidence-based barbiturate abuse treatment and intervention methods that have been proven to be successful. Each individual needs to be in a clean and structured environment for a barbiturate addiction treatment plan to be successful. We offer private and group therapy sessions, counseling, coping tools, and information about preventing relapse as part of your barbiturate addiction treatment plan. We also provide integrative amenities and services such as chiropractic, massage therapy, meditation, and nutrition education.
At Flyland Recovery Network, you can end your addiction to barbiturates, and you can start the recovery process with an intervention plan. However, before recovery happens, your body has to experience a time of barbiturate withdrawal.
During this barbiturate withdrawal time, you can expect symptoms, and we assist you through these symptoms by helping you stay as safe and as comfortable as possible. We’ll take these necessary steps with you to help you create a sober lifestyle and better life.
How Can I Prevent Relapse And Stay Sober?
Relapse prevention techniques for barbiturate addiction treatment should involve:
- Coaching for addressing slips
- Developing a productive lifestyle
- Developing an escape plan for stressful situations
- Education on high-risk situations
- Learn about relapse
- Be able to identify warning signs and high-risk circumstances
Support matters
Using insurance for Barbiturate addiction treatment
Insurance companies now cover behavioral and mental health conditions like other treatments for diseases such as diabetes. Therefore, having insurance for intervention and barbiturate addiction rehab is beneficial if you struggle with barbiturate addiction. In addition, government programs have some requirements and guidelines to investigate to see if they will cover your barbiturate abuse treatment and addiction rehab centers.
To confirm insurance benefits and what your insurance plan covers, you must contact the health insurance provider to determine the type of barbiturate addiction intervention and addiction rehab centers they will partially or fully cover. We provide free insurance verifications for alcohol abuse treatment plans at Flyland Recovery Network if you already have insurance. Contact our experts confidentially and let them look into your insurance benefits for intervention and barbiturate abuse treatment. Call us at 1-888-400-1556.
Explore your coverage options with Flyland
There are numerous non-profit drug rehab choices for the uninsured. In addition, nonprofit drug rehabs receive grants and donations to operate some of their programs, such as interventions.
Suppose you plan to get insurance for drug or alcohol addiction treatment. In that case, you should check with the rehab facility first to find out what public insurance is accepted, then enroll in the best insurance plan for your situation. At Flyland Recovery Network, we have access to national addiction rehab programs and lists of insurance plans. Contact us, and we can answer questions and direct you to discover a plan that will help cover your alcohol intervention.
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Get confidential help 24/7.
If you or a loved one are suffering with drug abuse or alcohol addiction, reach out to Flyland Recovery Network for addiction help.
Get confidential help 24/7.
If you or a loved one are suffering with drug abuse or alcohol addiction, reach out to Flyland Recovery Network for addiction help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to battle a barbiturate addiction?
For many individuals struggling with barbiturate addiction, the addiction began innocently by taking prescription drugs needed to function each day, like pain medication or sleeping pills. Barbiturate addiction is no different, and we know what a struggle it is to battle barbiturate drug abuse. It can often present with co-occurring mental health disorders or in combination with another addiction. To battle a barbiturate addiction successfully, intervention and professional addiction treatment are needed. This is not a battle to tackle alone.
What is barbiturate addiction?
Barbiturate Addiction is the obsession, physiological dependence on, or mental dependence upon the substance. Barbiturates are highly addictive. Because someone is prescribed Barbiturates does not mean they will not or cannot become addicted to it. Barbiturate addiction is a compulsive desire to use the drug despite all of the negative consequences that happen as a result of its use.
What is considered barbiturate abuse?
A person abusing a barbiturate will use the drug more than intended at a higher dose than prescribed and in other ways than prescribed and in combination with other substances.
An individual abusing barbiturates may include:
Consuming the drug without a prescription
Being unsuccessful at ending the use of the drug
Spending more effort and money to acquire the drug
A change in interests and activities
Needing more of the barbiturates to feel the effects
Are barbiturates addictive?
Most barbiturates are controlled substances, indicating a high potential for addiction, abuse, and dependence. Someone addicted to barbiturates needs professional treatment as this is not a battle that can be won alone. At Flyland Recovery Network, we help you put an end to your barbiturate addiction, begin the recovery process with an intervention plan.
Why are barbiturates addictive?
Most barbiturates are controlled substances, indicating a high potential for addiction, abuse, and dependence. When barbiturates are consumed, they trigger chemical changes in the brain. Barbiturates increase GABA activity, a neurotransmitter that relays signals between brain cells, which leads to slowed brain activity and sedation.
Barbiturates can have desirable effects, including anxiety relief and mild euphoria. These positive feelings intensify desires and ongoing use, often with increasing frequency and dosing, as the body becomes tolerant to the effects quickly. This raises the risk of barbiturate addiction and fatal overdose.
How to know if you have a barbiturate addiction?
A Barbiturate addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually requires more than determination, a strong will, or good intentions. Barbiturates change the brain, making it hard to stop even for someone who wants to do so.
A person addicted to barbiturates may experience feeling irritable or uncomfortable when trying to stop or as the drug wears off. Additionally, they may experience intense cravings for more of the drug when it is not available and continue to use it even when there is a risk to mental and physical health.
What is the difference between barbiturate addiction and barbiturate dependence?
Barbiturate dependence describes a physical addiction to the drug and can also mean an emotional or psychological addiction. Once dependent on a barbiturate, a person will usually develop a tolerance to the drug.
Barbiturate addiction describes a pattern of using barbiturates that causes problems, consequences, and impairment. For example, suppose an individual spends a lot of time intoxicated and recovering from intoxication, experiencing isolation and more conflicts, and failing to meet obligations and responsibilities. In that case, they could have a barbiturate addiction.
What does barbiturate abuse looks like?
Common symptoms of barbiturate abuse can include but are not limited to:
Decreased Anxiety
Slurred speech
Hypotension
Respiratory depression
Sleepiness
Coma
Respiratory arrest
Tolerance
