What You Need To Know About Barbiturate Abuse

 

Barbiturates have been used for over 100 years, and were particularly common in the sixties and seventies as a treatment for mental health disorders and insomnia. However, they are now prescribed less often as they have the potential to be dangerous. There is only a small difference between a prescribed dose and lethal overdose, and barbiturates can be highly addictive with life threatening withdrawal effects.

Modern forms of barbiturates such as Amytal and Seconal have been formulated to minimize the threat of dependency, and consequently barbiturate abuse has declined among people who have been prescribed the drug. However, overall abuse of this prescription medication is on the rise. This is because it is illicitly obtained by people with an addiction to substances such as methamphetamine and cocaine, as it subdues the high experienced when taking illegal drugs.

A small dose of barbiturates can make a person feel intoxicated and sleepy. If a slightly larger dose has been taken then the person may appear as if they are very drunk. Their speech becomes slurred, their coordination suffers and they may seem confused. If the drug is ingested at dangerous levels then the person may fall unconscious and it is possible that they may die. Immediate medical help must be sought, but even hospital treatment will not guarantee that they will survive.

An addiction to barbiturates cannot be treated at home. If you or somebody you know is abusing prescription medication, it must be treated under the care of a doctor. Alternatively, a person may choose to enter a drug rehab center.

Barbiturates have legitimate medical uses, but are extremely dangerous if not used as directed. A high risk of fatality is associated with the misuse of this drug, and early medical intervention should be sought to facilitate recovery.

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